28October2025 Diary
I married Beatrice deliberately, just to wrench a little pain from Martha. I needed to prove to myself that her betrayal hadnt broken me. Martha and I had shared almost two years of a relationship. I loved her to the point of forgetting myself, ready to mould my whole life around her whims, to tilt the heavens and turn the earth if she asked. I thought the moment of a proposal was drawing near. Yet whenever the subject of marriage surfaced, Martha would deftly divert the conversation.
Why rush into marriage now? Im still studying, and your job is well, its a bit shambolic. No car, no flat of your own. And I certainly dont want to live in a cramped kitchen with your sister, shed say, her words echoing each time.
Her remarks struck a chord. Olivia and I were still living in my parents terraced house, my fledgling business was only just getting off the ground, and I was still a finalyear university student. When my father fell gravely ill, I took the reins of the family firm. Olivia and I sold the house by mutual consent to clear my parents debts; the proceeds went to settle obligations, restock inventory and leave a modest sum to kickstart the venture.
Martha, on the other hand, lived for the present. She was comfortably buoyed by her parents support, while I was maturing daily under the weight of family, work and household responsibilities. I held onto the belief that someday I would have a house, a car, a happy family.
Nothing hinted at trouble. We agreed to go to the cinema. Martha asked me not to pick her up, saying shed manage on her own. I waited at the bus stop, and suddenly saw her pulling up in a sleek black Mercedes. She stepped out, handed me a small book, and said calmly, Im sorry, but our paths diverge. Im getting married. With that she slipped back into the car and drove off.
I was left speechless. What could have happened in the few days I was away? When I got home, Olivia was already aware.
Are you up to speed? she asked quietly.
I nodded without words.
Shes marrying a rich chap and wants me as a witness. I refused. Traitor! All of this behind my back
I pulled Olivia close, ruffling her hair.
Dont worry. Let her be happy. Well have it even better.
Then I locked myself in my room for an entire day. Olivia knocked on the door.
Fancy a bite? Ive made pancakes
By evening I emerged, fire in my eyes.
Get ready.
Ready for what? Olivia pressed.
Im going to marry. Whoever says yes first.
This is madness! It isnt just my life she pleaded.
If you dont want to, Ill go alone, I replied coldly.
We drove to the park, a crowd bustling about. A few girls glanced our way, one twisted a finger at her temple, another hurried away. The third looked straight into my eyes and said, Fine, Ill do it.
Whats your name, lovely? I asked.
Emily.
Then lets call it an engagement! I said, pulling Emily and Olivia into the nearest café.
Silence settled over the table. Olivia didnt know how to start, while I simmered with a quiet fury. Revenge had taken root. I decided our wedding would be on the twentyfifth, the same date Martha had chosen for hers.
It would help to know why youre suddenly proposing, Emily interjected. If its just a whim, I wont be offended. I can walk away.
Youve already said yes, so tomorrow well file the notice, then visit your parents, I said firmly. And another thinglets drop the formalities and go on firstname terms.
For the whole month before the wedding we met daily, sharing stories, revealing bits of ourselves.
Tell me, why all this? Emily asked one night.
Everyone has a dark room in their life, I evaded.
The important thing is it doesnt suffocate you, she smiled.
Why didnt you refuse earlier?
I imagined myself as a heroine in a fairy tale, marrying the first noble traveller. Those tales always end happily, and I wanted to test it.
Behind her smile lay a tangled pastgreat love that left scars, loss and disappointment, even a few drained savings. It taught her to be wary of people. Suitors came aplenty, yet she instantly sensed worth. She wasnt hunting for a partner, just someone with backbone, sense and the will to act. In me she saw strength, resolve and deep courage; she knew Id walk past her if I arrived with a crowd of friends.
So who are you the unfunny, the frogprincess, or perhaps the wise Lady? I asked, staring her down.
Youll find out if you kiss me, she replied cryptically.
No kiss ever happened. Neither did anything beyond that.
I handled all the wedding preparations; Emily merely chose from what I offered. I even bought the dress and veil myself.
Youll be the most enchanting, I kept repeating.
On the day of registration, while we stood in line at the register, fate tossed an unexpected curveMartha appeared opposite us with her groom. I forced a smile.
Congratulations, I said, leaning to kiss her cheek. Best of luck with your wallet on two legs!
Dont make a scene, Martha muttered, pale. She eyed Emily, tall, elegant, radiating calm and poiseher gaze regal, her posture queenly. Compared to her, Martha seemed dim. Jealousy, sharp as needles, pierced her from within. The joy of her own wedding evaporated, replaced by the bitter thought that shed messed up.
I turned back to Emily.
All right, I said, forcing a grin.
Its not too late to change your mind, she whispered.
No. We go to the end.
Only when we were alone in the registration hall, meeting her deep, sorrowful stare, did I realise the absurdity of my actions.
Ill make you happy, I whispered, believing it for a fleeting moment.
Married life began. Emily and Olivia quickly found common ground, getting along effortlessly. Fiery Olivia learned restraint, while Emily, without fanfare, kept the household in order and never sought the spotlight. As a finance specialist, Emily tidied up the books. Six months later we opened a second shop, then added a renovation crewselling building supplies and offering fullservice repairs. Profits surged.
Emily proved herself a modernday wise heroineher ideas were so finely tuned that I claimed them as my own, living the simple motto live and be glad. Yet something nagged at me. The passion I had felt with Martha was missing. Everything ran smoothly, predictably, like a river that had been dammed. Predictability is a bog that swallows you, I thought. I dont love her, and thats enough.
Thanks to Emilys diligence, our business thrived further; we began constructing turnkey cottages, the first one for ourselves. As success grew, I found my thoughts drifting back to Martha.
Had she held on a little longer, shed have seen the car I now drive The house isnt just a house, its a true estate! I mused, wondering how different things might have been.
Emily noticed my wandering mind. She wanted to be more than a wifeshe craved a lover. But the heart is not a nail you can drive in at will. Not every fairy tale ends happily, she thought sadly, yet she clung to hope, her name itself a promise.
Olivia also sensed something amiss.
Dont do anything foolish, youll lose more than you think, she warned when she caught me scrolling through Marthas social feed.
Stay out of it! I snapped.
Olivias eyes twinkled.
Fool, Emily loves you truly, and youre making a mess of things.
A surge of frustration rose. As the pull of the past grew stronger, I finally wrote to Martha.
She answered with a bleak confession: stripped of a job, no degree, no steady work, living in a rented flat in a provincial town after being driven out by her husband.
For days I debated whether to drive to see her. Meanwhile Emily had gone to look after her ailing grandmother, leaving me alone. I set a meeting, racing to the town as if on wings, ignoring every road sign. My heart hammered. I imagined what I would say, where we might go next.
Reality hit hard.
Oh, look at you, all polished! Martha exclaimed, flinging herself around my neck.
The stale smell of unwashed skin hit me. I pushed her away.
People are watching.
I dont care! she shouted, her short skirt and gaudy makeup an ugly contrast to Emilys grace.
She leered, Give me some cash, I wont stay in debt.
I was trapped.
Excuse me, I have business, I stood, heading for the door.
Will we meet again? she called after me.
I doubt it, I told the waiter, the bill, please.
She pouted, I want to stay a bit longer!
I slipped a few pounds onto the tray, Keep it within that amount.
The waiter nodded.
Driving home at the speed limit, I muttered, What an idiot Olivia warned me. Why did I even go there?
Perhaps not for nothing.
I never called my wife Emily I have no one closer than her, I thought, halting for a moment, eyes fixed on the road. My mind replayed Emilys bright blue eyes, the soft mist in her gaze, the gentle hands that always tidied my hair.
I promised to make her happy, I whispered, revving the engine. I veered onto a country lane.
A week without you feels like an eternity. I didnt manage two days, Emily said when she ran out of her grandmothers house, spotting my car.
Madness, she laughed through tears, her smile the sweetest reward.
Emily, love of my life, I whispered into her ear, pulling her close. Our heads spun from joy, relief, pure happiness.
Lesson learned: chasing revenge only leads you in circles, while true contentment grows from honesty, patience and the love you choose to nurture.
