Broken Heart, Fading Hope: The Road to a New Beginning
“Emma, it’s over between us,” James said coldly. “I want a real familychildren. You can’t give me that. I’ve filed for divorce. You have three days to pack your things. If you leave, send word. Ill be staying with Mum until I get the flat ready for the baby and his mother. Yes, dont look so surprisedmy new girlfriend is pregnant. Three days, Emma!”
Emma stood silent, the ground crumbling beneath her. What could she say? Five years theyd tried for a child, but three pregnancies had ended in heartbreak. The doctors assured her she was healthy, yet each time, something went wrong. Emma lived carefully, especially during her pregnancies. The last time, shed collapsed at work, and the ambulance hadnt arrived in time
The door slammed behind James, and Emma, crushed, collapsed onto the sofa. She had no strength to pack. Where could she go? Before the marriage, shed lived with her aunt, but shed passed, and the flat had been sold by her cousin. Return to her grandmothers cottage in Windermere? Rent somewhere? And her job? Questions swirled, but time ticked on.
The next morning, the door opened, and in strode her mother-in-law, Margaret Whitmore.
“Not asleep? Good,” she said sharply. “Ive come to make sure you dont take what isnt yours.”
“Ive no interest in your sons old socks,” Emma snapped. “Do you want to count my things?”
“How rude youve become! You used to be so meek. I told James after the first miscarriageyoud never carry a child.”
“Is that why youre here? Then be quiet and watch.”
“Why are you taking the clock?” Margaret bristled.
“Its minefrom my aunt. A keepsake.”
“Without it, this place will feel empty!”
“Not my problem. At least youll have a grandchild.”
“Take only whats yours!”
“The laptop, the coffee maker, the microwavegifts from colleagues. The car was mine before the wedding. Your son has his own.”
“You have everything but the one thing that matterschildren!”
“Thats not your concern. It wasnt meant to be.”
“Arent you sorry? Maybe you did it on purpose?”
“Dont be absurd. Even thinking about it hurts.”
Emma glanced aroundher things were vanishing. Her brush, makeup, shoes Had she forgotten something important? Margarets presence grated. Then she rememberedthe porcelain cat, a gift from her grandmother. Inside was a hidden compartment with earrings and a ringworth little, but priceless to her. James had called it junk. Had he thrown it out? She stepped onto the balcony.
“What are you doing out there?” Margarets voice cut in. “Hurry up and leave!”
She found the catuntouched. Now she could go.
“Here are the keys. Goodbye. Lets not meet again.”
Emma went to the office. She was on sick leave but asked for holiday time.
“Were here for you,” her boss said. “But its hard without you. Three weeks enough? Stay in London if you need towell manage.”
Emma closed her eyes, feeling Pauls hand squeeze hers gently, knowing that after so much pain, her new life was only just beginning.
