Edward married Jennifer out of spite, to prove to his true love that he wasnt wounded by being left behind.
He and Emily had been together nearly two years. Edward loved her with a wild, reckless devotion; he would have moved mountains or carried her over hills if need be. To him, a wedding was the next natural step. Yet he never liked how she always dodged the topic:
Why now? I havent finished university yet, your business is only just keeping afloat. Youve not even got a decent car or your own flat. Olivias my best friend, but I cant face seeing her every single morning in the kitchen. If youd kept the house, maybe we couldve managed there.
Those words stung. Still, Emily wasnt wrongthey were living in the flat their late parents had left, and Edward was only just learning to run the shop. Hed been forced to step up before finishing his own studies, juggling the fledgling family business while trying to get his degree.
The house got sold by mutual agreement with Oliviakeeping the business going mattered more. In the six months before their inheritance came through, debts had stacked up. Edward was in his final year, Olivia in her third. Selling was the only way to clear what they owed and fund the shop with a small cushion left over.
Emily believed in living for today, not waiting for some mythical brighter future. It was easy to think that, sheltered under her parents roof. Edward, though, finding himself head of the family overnight, thinking for his sisters sake and his ownhe just had to get the business steady, and then the good things would follow: a proper car, a house, a garden.
Still, nothing seemed wrong at first. Edward was waiting for Emily outside the Odeon to see a new filmshed insisted he neednt pick her up, which was odd. Emily loathed the bus. He watched from the bus stop as she arrived in a flashy BMW.
Im sorry, we cant see each other anymore. Im marrying someone else, she thrust a book into his hands, spun on her heel and got into the car.
Edward stood, stunned. What could possibly have happened in the three days hed been out of town?
Olivia understood at a glance.
Youve found out?
He nodded quietly.
Shes snagged herself a rich bloke. Weddings on the 25th. Asked me to be a bridesmaidI refused. Shes a traitor! All that sneaking around behind your back, Olivia burst into tears.
Its all right, Edward soothed her, stroking his sisters hair as if she were still little. Lets wish her well; well be just fine on our own.
He shut himself in his room for almost a day. Olivia whined at his door,
At least come eat. I made pancakes.
He emerged in the evening, eyes blazing.
Grab your coat, he said abruptly.
What are you planning?
Im marrying the first girl who says yes, he replied.
Dont be ridiculous, said Olivia. Its not just your life youd be playing with.
It was no use.
Come with me, or Ill go alone.
The park was busy. The first girl he asked looked at him like he was mad. The second recoiled. The third looked him right in the eyesand said yes.
Whats your name, beautiful?
Jennifer, she replied.
Lets toast our engagement, Edward said, dragging his new acquaintance and Olivia into the nearest café.
They sat through an awkward silence. Olivia was lost for words, and Edwards thoughts churned with revenge. Hed already decided: their wedding, too, would be on the 25th.
There must be a serious reason youve proposed to a stranger, Jennifer broke the silence. If this was a whim, I wont be offended if you change your mind.
No. Youve given your word. Tomorrow well register and meet your parents.
Edward winked.
For now, lets be on first names.
They met every day until the wedding, talking, studying each other.
Will you at least tell me why youre doing this? Jennifer asked once.
Everyone has skeletons in their closet, Edward evaded.
So long as they dont get in the way.
Why did you say yes?
I imagined myself as a princess betrothed to the first passerbythose fairy tales always end well: They lived happily ever after. I wanted to see for myself.
But it wasnt so simple. Jennifer had had her heart broken before, lost some modest savings, and learned to see through charmers quickly.
She wasnt hunting for the one, just knew she wanted someone bright, decisive, dependablea man who acted. She saw that in Edwards intent and manner. If hed been with blokes, not his sister, shed never have said yes.
So, what kind of princess are you? Edward mused. Pensive, wise, or perhaps a frog princess?
Give me a kiss and find out, she joked.
But there werent kisses, or more.
Edward handled all the wedding arrangements himself. Jennifer only picked from what he offered. Even her dress and veilEdward trusted no one else.
Youll look radiant, he repeated.
At the registrar, as they waited for the ceremony, they bumped into Emily and her new fiancé. Edward forced a smile:
Allow me to congratulate you, he kissed his ex on the cheek. May you be happy with your walking wallet!
Dont make a scene, Emily snapped.
She gave Jennifer a sharp critical look. Tall, graceful, strikingshe held herself with regal poise. Emily realised she couldnt compare. Jealousy gnawed at her, all false happiness gone. Shed made a grave mistakewhat shed hoped for was slipping away.
Edward returned to Jennifer.
Its all fine, he lied.
Its not too late to stop, Jennifer whispered.
No. Were in this together.
Yet only as he caught his new wifes sad eyes in the registry hall did Edward realize what hed really done.
I promise Ill make you happy, and for that moment, he meant it.
Family life began. Olivia and Jennifer got along remarkably well, becoming fast friends, each complementing the other. Fiery Olivia learned to mind her temper; Jennifer, ever practical, managed the house and soon quietly took charge.
A brilliant accountant, Jennifer brought their finances to order. In six months, they opened a second shop, formed a team of decorators, now not only selling building materials but handling renovations as well. Profits soared.
She turned out to be as clever as she was kind, always handing credit to Edward so he felt everything was his idea. Life should have been perfectbut Edward missed that wild passion hed had with Emily. Life became careful, predictable, peaceful. Routine, hed sigh to himself, smothering me like a bog. I dont love her, and thats that.
Thanks to Jennifer, their business boomedthey moved into building houses from the ground up. Their first: for themselves.
Business got better and Edwards thoughts drifted ever more to Emily. She just couldnt wait. If only she could see my new Jag. Or our housemore castle than cottage now! hed boast inwardly. The thought haunted him: But what if…?
Jennifer sensed his restlessness. She knew what it was to long for lovebut the heart is its own master. Not every fairy tale comes true, she sighed, yet she didnt lose hope. Her very name obliged her to hope.
Olivia watched her brother closely.
Youll lose more than youll ever find, she warned him when she caught him scrolling Emilys profile online.
Mind your own business! Edward snapped.
Olivias glare was murderous.
Fool! Jennifer loves you for real, but youre still playing silly games!
Who is she to tell me? Edward fumed, drawn inexorably back to Emily. Finally, he messaged her.
Emily complained that her love life had failed. Her husband had thrown her out, penniless. She never finished her degree. No good job to speak of, and now she was renting a bedsit in Leeds.
Edward wavered for days: Go? Not go? The temptation grewthe timing could not be better, since Jennifer was off to her grans village in Norfolk for a week.
He made up his mind and arranged to meet. Edward drove to Leeds with a pounding heart, barely seeing the road for his excitement, planning how hed sweep her off her feet.
Reality was harsher.
Arent you dashing! Emily flung herself at him.
The smell of stale sweat hit his nose. He cringed.
People are staring, he muttered.
And I couldnt care less! Emily chortled.
Short skirt, cheap make-up, questionable perfume In every way this vulgar woman shrank beside Jennifer. She was always like this. How did I never see? he wondered as he watched the former love of his life chug her lager.
Give me some cash and Ill show my gratitude, Emily licked her lips coyly.
He only wanted to escape.
Sorry, must dash, Edward stood up.
Shall we meet again?
I doubt it, he called the waiter. Bill, please.
I havent finished! Emily whined.
Please make sure the ladys settled within this, Edward tucked a healthy banknotefifty quidinto the billfold.
The waiter nodded in sympathy.
Edward sped home, barely slowing for bends.
Bloody idiot, he scolded himself. Olivia was right! What was the point of all this? Or maybe maybe I needed to see it.
Ive never even called my wife Jenny. I dont have a soul in the world closer to me. He screeched to a halt, finally understanding. He sat for five minutes, memories rolling over himthe years since the wedding.
Edward saw his wifes face: those deep blue eyes, the way Jenny smiled at him, the light, loving touch of her meticulous fingers as she tousled his hair.
I promised Id make her happy, he thought, and after a swift check of the satnav, swung his car onto the back road.
A week apart is too much. I couldnt keep away two days, he said, as Jennifer came running from her grandmothers house.
You mad thing, she smiled, tears glittering.
Jenny, my dearest, Edward whispered into his wifes ear. And in that moment, both their hearts soared.
