The most important thing is to marry well. A wealthy man means a happy life.
Emma was her parents only daughter. Her father was protective, her mother indulged her, and she always repeated the same advice:
The most important thing is to marry well. A wealthy man means a happy life, she would say, and Emma agreed.
But where was this wealthy man? At university, there were nice lads, of course. She even had a fiancé from a respectable family.
But her father kept a strict watchno late-night strolls, no student gatherings, no countryside trips. Everything was under control.
Soon enough, her enviable fiancé found himself another girl, more free-spirited and interesting than Emma.
Then came her dissertation defence, leaving no time for romance.
Next, a job secured with her fathers help, and her love life arranged by her mother.
Her mother knew what she was doing. An only daughter must marry well, and soon a suitor appearedthe nephew of a close friend.
Emma, dear, you ought to take a closer look at this man. Hes older than you, but thats a good thing. Why would you want a boy? Think about it. Edward Wilson is a serious man. He owns his own firm. You wont even need to work.
But hes been married before, Mum! He has a daughterthat means alimony.
Dont let that trouble you. His ex-wife was foolish, and she and the girl live in another city. Its not a problem.
And so, they met. Emmas father stayed silent, wise enough not to meddle in womens affairs now that his daughter had graduated.
Let them sort it out themselves.
Surprisingly, Emma liked Edward.
The ten-year age gap didnt bother her. With his looks and manners, hed still be handsome in another decade. Elegant, well-spoken, impeccably dressed.
Emma impressed him too, and they married.
Her mother sighed in relief, duty fulfilled, and turned her full attention to herselfsalons, shopping, trips abroad with her husband, now without her daughter
Emma, following her example, didnt lag behind.
Her husband encouraged her whims and needs, so she lived for pleasure.
Her only household duty was instructing the housekeeper, who managed fine without her.
Then came the thunderbolt.
Edwards ex-wife had passed awayunder circumstances Emma didnt bother asking about.
And now he had to take in his daughter!
Unthinkable. So much for not a problem! What now? Emma had postponed having her own child indefinitely, and suddenly this girl would be under her roof, expected to call her Mum, as Edward put it.
But there was no choice.
Her husband didnt ask her opinionjust presented it as fact and asked for kindness.
The girls innocent!
Soon, he fetched his daughter himself, bringing her home with a shabby suitcase and a schoolbag.
Molly was in Year 3, tall, quietnearly silent, Emma noted.
Not a word out of her, everything done quietly, without fuss.
At least she looked like her father. Clearly his child, not some mistake from that foolish ex-wife
Life in the big house with her father, stepmother, and housekeeper weighed on Molly.
She wasnt used to this!
After dinner, shed rush to wash dishes, ask where the broom was to sweep, try ironing her own clothesall of which annoyed Emma
Her father, buried in work and business, came home late, with no time for affection.
He spared none for his wife, but Molly got at best a pat on the head and a How was school?
Still, Emma felt her freedom slipping. She couldnt just come and go as she pleased, visit her favourite spots, or pamper herself.
Not at dawn for the gym!
She needed her sleep, her time online, scrolling through socials.
Then Molly came home, and there was no escape: her husband asked her to oversee the girls schoolwork.
So Emma wonderedwhy not suggest sending the girl to boarding school?
But she didnt dare. Instead, she proposed after-school care:
You see, Im no teacher. Its hard keeping up with her lessons. Look, shes getting Cs now. At school, shell do better. Its for her own good.
Edward was furious, and Emma regretted speaking up.
So it dragged ona joyless marriage, resentment, irritation
Two years later, Emma had a son. The question of a nanny arose, but Molly, nearly twelve, offered to help.
And she didbetter than any nanny!
Molly managed everythinghomework, playing with little Daniel, ironing for them both.
Soon, the laundry fell to her too, as the housekeeper, Nina, was past sixty and tiring.
Emma adjusted, used to Molly picking up Ninas slack, while she still made time to stay glamorous, as a society woman should.
Daniel grew up adoring his big sister
When Molly finished school, Daniel was starting Year 1. Again, his education fell to his sister, wise beyond her years.
She went to university, studied English, and taught him too.
Dont you think, darling, youve left all the care of the house and our son to Molly? Edward asked once, as his wife was rarely home afternoonssometimes even evenings.
She had her circle now, social interests, cafés.
What exactly bothers you, dear? Your daughter handles it beautifully. Nina barely workscooks, and thats it.
Exactly. The rest is on Molly, isnt it?
Emma stayed silent.
Yes, on Molly! But did the girl complain? And Daniel went out with his mother sometimeslast week, an exhibit, the museum, a childrens concert. Wasnt that enough?
When Molly graduated, her father hired her at his firm.
The business had long outgrown the local market, and a translator was just what they needed.
There, she met James, a sharp lad from sales.
Love bloomed right under her startled fathers nose.
He never thought his quiet daughter would dare an office romance. It upset him at first.
But Molly stood firmthey were marrying. For the first time, she insisted. He had to relent
Emma was just as dismayed. Shed lose her household help, and Nina had warned shed retire soon. Age. And Edward wasnt rushing to replace her.
Molly took charge again:
Ill still help, Mum, she said cheerfully. Ill come once a week, clean, iron. I always did it.
Once a week? Make it more, Emma snapped.
Still, Molly moved in with James after a lavish wedding, settling into married life.
And James relaxed.
First, he talked of starting his own business.
He quit his job and glued himself to his laptop.
But it failed. Starting from scratch wasnt easy.
His father-in-law, furious at his recklessness, refused help, though he did raise Mollys salary.
Unused to spending on herself, she poured it all into their budget, even slipping money to her grown-up brother now and then.
The rest barely covered basics.
Jamess flat, it turned out, was mortgaged. He liked nice clothes, dining out, holidaysall of which he enthusiastically endorsed.
And Molly? She juggled housework, finances, and still helped her mother. Some things never changed
Then came the crisis.
Edwards health faltered, and overseas partners pulled out.
Everything plummeted.
The firm barely stayed afloat.
When Edward realised his health wouldnt let him carry on, he had no choice but to sell.
Molly kept workingher father persuaded the new owner not to sack her, though a translator was hardly needed now.
He agreed, but her pay was slashed.
James, already idle, despaired further after his father-in-laws funeral.
Emma and Daniel were struggling too, so Molly moved back in, leaving James to ponder:
Either you find a proper job and contribute, or were done!
But then Molly realisedshe was pregnant!
Any woman would rejoice, but Jamess reaction stunned her.
A baby? Be serious! No job, no money. Your dads bankruptwhat now, raising a beggar?
Molly sank to the floor, speechless
She filed for divorce at once, no waiting for his conscience to stir.
Love for that freeloader had died long ago anyway.
She moved in with her stepmother and brother, now a bright, good-natured lad doing well at school.
Financially, it was tight. Edward hadnt left Emma pennilessthere were savings.
But she spent them grudgingly, at least on the family.
Herself, she never skimped on.
Molly ran the household, the sole breadwinner now.
And when her baby came, something shifted in Emma.
A young grandmother, suddenly revitalised! She doted on her granddaughter, learning baby care despite
