Emily stood by the window, staring at the empty garden below. The trampled snow glittered with remnants of New Year’s crackers, and tinsel from Christmas decorations clung to the bare branches of the bushes. The city felt deserted, everyone asleep after the long, exhausting night of celebrations. Inside, Emily felt just as hollow.
How could she have been so blind? Why hadn’t she sensed the lie? Now it all made sense, but back then… Nathan had seemed intelligent, loving, even a little wounded by his father. Or so he’d pretended. And she’d believed he loved her.
The click of the front door lock made her flinch. She’d prepared a speech, but every word evaporated from her mind. Quiet footsteps paused behind her. Emily held her breath, waiting. A shiver ran down her neck as she felt Nathan’s warm breath against her skin.
“Em,” he murmured, tilting his head to her shoulder.
She stepped away.
“You’re still angry?” he asked, his voice coaxing. “I don’t know what came over me. The way he looked at you… I just lost it.” He waited, but Emily stayed silent.
“You’re the one to blame. Smiling at him, touching him, staring like that—I couldn’t take it.”
“Don’t make things up. We were just dancing,” she said flatly.
“Come on, forgive me. Jealousy is normal when you love someone.” Nathan reached for her shoulders, but she twisted away.
“Em, honestly, it’s ridiculous. I’ve apologised,” he said, softening his tone.
“You should be apologising to him, not me.” Finally, Emily turned to face him—then looked away again.
“Fine, I went to the hospital, apologised to your sailor. He didn’t press charges, so they let me go. Let’s just forget this. When he’s discharged, invite him over, we’ll have a drink and settle things.”
Emily whirled around.
“‘We’? Forget it? Have a drink? There is no ‘we.’ And there never will be. Leave the keys and get out.”
“Oh, so you’ll bring him here instead?” Nathan’s sweet tone vanished, replaced by venom.
“Get out. I don’t want to see you. You lied to me.” Despite her efforts, anger and hurt spilled out.
“Should’ve taught you a lesson too, not just him. Remember what you said to me?” Nathan grabbed her arm above the elbow, yanking her close, his face inches from hers. Emily saw hatred in his eyes.
“Let go—you’re hurting me!”
“I’ve wasted so much time on you. No, darling, I’m not going anywhere. You *will* marry me.” With his free hand, he pulled a ring from his pocket. “Never got to give you this.” He lifted her hand, forcing the ring toward her finger. Emily struggled, but his grip tightened.
“Let me go! I won’t marry you!” Tears welled in her eyes.
“You will—unless you want your sailor to stay alive and unharmed.”
“You wouldn’t dare.”
“Oh, I would.”
—
“I’m leaving tomorrow,” Daniel said.
He liked Emily. Liked her a lot. But he’d been afraid to tell her he was going. They’d only just started seeing each other.
“Where?”
“Portsmouth. Got into the naval academy. I’m sorry I didn’t say anything. Wasn’t sure I’d get in.”
“Will you at least call?” Emily asked, her voice small.
“Don’t sulk. What can we do? No navy here. Em, I don’t want you to feel obliged to wait. Training’s long, then I’ll be at sea for months. You don’t know how hard it is—waiting.”
“Don’t decide for me,” she snapped, lifting her chin.
“Em, you’ve got uni ahead of you. Plenty of lads there—”
“Just go then!” Emily turned and stormed off.
“Em!” Daniel started after her but stopped. He waited a moment, then walked home alone.
When he returned for New Year’s break, Emily was overjoyed. They went to the cinema, walked through frosty streets. Daniel talked about the academy, the sea, his friends—Emily listened, wishing he’d kiss her.
But he only pressed a quick peck to her cold cheek before leaving. The next day, he was gone again.
Yes, there were plenty of boys at uni. Some flirted, some tried their luck. But Emily wasn’t interested. Daniel called rarely, asking about her studies in a friendly way. Whenever she mentioned missing him, he changed the subject.
Then her great-aunt passed away. The woman had left her a spacious flat in the city centre—a complete surprise. Her father was thrilled.
“That’s prime property, Em. No need for renovations. Once you’re married, you and your husband can live there,” her mother mused.
Emily decided to keep the flat a secret at uni. No need to stir envy or invite opportunists. But word got out. Some envied her, some called her arrogant. The group leader even asked if they could host parties there.
Early in her second year, Emily met Nathan Spencer, an upperclassman. He sat with her in the canteen one day, and they hit it off. Soon, they were dating. Daniel was far away—no promises, no expectations. Who’s to say he wasn’t seeing someone in Portsmouth?
“Spencer… any relation to the deputy mayor?” her father asked once.
“Dunno,” Emily shrugged.
“Well, find out. Seems a decent lad. Good match.”
Emily brushed it off as a joke but asked Nathan anyway.
“Yeah. Didn’t tell anyone. How’d you guess?”
“Not me—Dad. He likes you.”
“He’s all right, your dad. Mine? Insufferable. Can’t wait to graduate and get out. Thinking of renting a place, moving out for good.”
That night, Emily suggested letting Nathan stay in the flat.
Her father agreed instantly.
“Let him live there. Won’t charge him much—future son-in-law, after all. But he can afford a little for your upkeep,” he joked.
Nathan was ecstatic. He swept Emily into his arms, spun her around, kissed her.
“You’re a lifesaver, Em. What would I do without you? Just gotta talk to my folks. Don’t worry, I’m an adult. Mum’s been nagging me to marry anyway.” He hugged her then, and things escalated quickly.
When Emily stayed over, her parents scolded her half-heartedly. They already pictured her married to the deputy mayor’s son—maybe even his successor.
Emily liked Nathan, but something felt off. He avoided introducing her to his parents, dodged questions about them. It unsettled her.
After graduation, Nathan took a job at a nondescript firm, claiming it was to spite his father. Soon after, he proposed. Emily said no.
“Why rush? Let me finish uni first.”
Time flew. New Year’s Eve arrived, and her mate invited them to a party at her country house.
“Bring your posh fiancé. It’ll be packed—proper rave.”
“How’d you know about Nathan?” Emily asked.
“Ran into your mum at the shops. She told me. Keeping secrets, are you? Hope you won’t forget your mates once you’re married.”
“I’m not marrying anyone,” Emily muttered.
They arrived early. Cars soon lined the driveway.
“Where’s everyone sleeping? The house is already bursting,” Emily said.
“Who’s here to sleep?” her friend laughed.
The table was set, the tree sparkled, snow fell softly outside. The lads grilled in the garden, Nathan among them, drinking to stay warm. Eventually, they all sat down, toasted early, then danced.
Her friend pulled Emily aside to help with dishes.
“Wait,” Nathan stopped her. “New Year, fresh start. You’re nearly done with uni. I’m not rushing you, but you know how I feel. Here—” He reached into his pocket.
“Everyone, meet Daniel Hartley—my old schoolmate, future naval captain!” her friend announced.
All heads turned. Emily’s breath caught. Daniel. He saw her, smiled. They stole glances at each other.
“Can you believe it? Bumped into him in town yesterday. Had to invite him. Ladies, take care of our lonely sailor. Lads, don’t get jealous. He’s leaving soon.”
Nathan finally pulled out a ring box, caught on his lining. But Emily was already walking toward Daniel. They exchanged quiet words, then he asked her to dance. While others jumped to upbeat music, they swayed slowly, talking.
“Em, you’re gorgeous. Didn’t want to come, but now… I’m glad I did.”
To Emily, it felt like no time had passed. Daniel’s gaze was tender, his hands warm.
“Got the wrong girl, sailor. She’s *my* fiancée,” Nathan snarled, shoving Daniel back. “The following year, as snowflakes drifted past their Portsmouth flat, Emily traced the gold band on her finger and smiled at Daniel’s reflection in the frost-kissed window—knowing that sometimes, the right person was worth the wait after all.
