The illusion of a Prince, shattered…
He wasnt the prince of her dreams
Emily first met Tom just after he returned from his stint in the army. Tom looked as if hed stepped straight out of one of those glossy magazinestall, athletic, sparkling green eyes, and the kind of dark curly hair that shampoo ads dream about. Compared to him, Emily felt awfully ordinary, although she was quite sweet in her own right: her hair was blonde, her figure graceful, and her smile gentle. She could hardly believe her luckout of everyone, hed picked her.
What does he see in you? whispered her friends. Men that good looking dont stay around for long. Hell drop you.
But Emily just smiledshe believed in their love. They went to the cinema, had a go at dancing, hung out with friends. Tom never complimented her looks, but was always at her side, and his touch was enough to leave her dizzy. When she finally brought him home, her motherMargaret Smithlooked thoroughly unimpressed. Later, in private, she murmured:
Darling, handsome men are always trouble. They rarely stick around. Wait before you think about marriagegive him a test run. Hes far too ornamental.
Emily was miffed. She trusted Toms feelings, didnt want to hear any doubts. Still, the seed of unease had quietly planted itself.
Gradually, Tom started changing his tune. First it was the gym, then swimming, then flocks of new acquaintances. Determined not to be left behind, Emily joined in with the training sessions too, but with all the toned and glamorous women about, she felt spectacularly out of place. Toms eyes wandered in their direction, and Emily would head home early, doing her best not to cry.
Youre as weak as a doll, he laughed one day when she caught a chill after swimming. Just stay home with your books.
The words stung, and Emily remembered her mothers warnings. Tom grew more distantmore outings alone, no calls, no invitations, not even the briefest thought for poor Emily. Then, just like that, he vanished entirely. He stopped replying.
Not picking up the phone? mum asked.
No whispered Emily, turning her face to the wall.
Right! Up and at em! We’re going to the hairdresser! Margaret commanded. A fresh haircut is step one to a brand-new life. Next, Ill help you sew a new dressyoure a dab hand.
They bought some fabric, and Emily sketched out patterns, trying to banish the heartbreak. Rumours trickled in about Toms new romantic exploits, but she held strong. And when, some weeks later, she arrived at the village dancein her new dazzling outfit, light as airheads turned. People finally noticed her.
One young man, Ben, shy and down-to-earth, started taking care of her. He wasnt a stunner, but his eyes were only for Emilywarm, and utterly sincere. After a month, he proposed.
Now theres a proper man! said mum. He falls in love and gets married, simple as that. What do you think?
I accept, Emily replied calmly.
You love him, do you?
How could I not? Hes kind, hard-working, loyal Im all he needsand only me.
The wedding was a cosy, warm-hearted affair. Emily and Ben started from scratchthe first chair, the first plate. After a year, their daughter was born, and three years later, a son. Family, love, happiness.
She didnt think about Tom anymore. Once in a while shed hear stories of how hed left his wife, eloped with a girlfriend, and now flitted from place to place. Emily always smiled:
What was there between us? Just a small slice of youth. Let him be happy, if he can manage it.
At home, Emily was awaited by her children, her husband, and her mumthe wise, kind one she cherished most of all. The one who saved her from real heartbreak. Thanks to her, Emily found her peaceful, real happiness.
Mum stay close, always. Without you, life isnt half so bright.
The Shattered Illusion of a Prince…
He Was Not the Man of Her Dreams…
Elena first met Daniel when he returned home from the army. He looked like someone straight out of a fashion magazine: tall, athletic, with enchanting green eyes and curly black hair. Beside him, Elena felt ordinary, though she was pretty—her blonde hair, slender figure, and gentle smile. She couldn’t believe her luck: out of all his mates, he’d chosen her.
“What does he see in you?” her friends would whisper. “Guys like that don’t stick around. He’s bound to leave you.”
But Elena just smiled—she believed in their love. They went to movies, danced, met up with friends. Daniel never praised her looks, but was always by her side, and his touch made her heart race. The first time she brought him home, her mother—Mary Johnson—frowned. Later, privately, her mum whispered:
“Handsome men, darling, are often someone else’s men. Rarely loyal. Wait before you marry—test him out. He seems… too much like a showpiece.”
Elena was hurt. She trusted Daniel’s feelings, didn’t want to dwell on doubts. But her mum had planted a seed of unease in her heart.
Slowly, Daniel began to change. Gym first, then swimming, then new friends. To stay close, Elena joined training too, but felt out of place among the gorgeous, muscled girls. Daniel glanced their way, and Elena left early, trying to hide her tears.
“You’re as frail as a doll,” he joked once when she caught a cold after swimming. “Better stay home with your books.”
His words stung, and Elena remembered her mother’s warning. She sensed Daniel becoming distant—more outings alone, less calls, no invitations or thoughtfulness. Then, suddenly, he vanished. Stopped answering altogether.
“Not calling?” her mum asked.
“No…” Elena whispered, turning to the wall.
“Come on, get up! We’re going to the hairdresser!” Mary Johnson announced. “A new hairstyle is the first step to a new life. Then we’ll sew you a dress—you’ve got the talent.”
They bought fabric; Elena sketched designs, trying to forget. She heard rumours about Daniel’s new romances, but she held strong. When, weeks later, she went to a dance in a sparkling new outfit, all eyes turned. She shone.
A boy named Steven—modest, unassuming—began courting her. Not a stunner, but his warm, sincere gaze was fixed only on Elena. After a month, he asked for her hand in marriage.
“Now there’s a real man!” her mum said. “When he falls in love, he marries. What do you say?”
“I accept,” Elena answered calmly.
“Do you love him?”
“How could I not? He’s kind, hardworking, loyal. I’m all he needs—and only me.”
The wedding was simple and heartfelt. Elena and Steven started from scratch: first chair, first plate. After a year, their daughter was born, and three years later, a son. Family, love, happiness.
She no longer thought of Daniel. Only heard whispers of his escapades—leaving his wife, running off with a mistress, now living who-knows-where. Elena smiled:
“What was between us? Just a piece of youth. May he be happy, if he can.”
At home, her children and husband awaited. And her mum—wise, good, dearest—the one who saved her from real heartache. Thanks to her, Elena found her true, quiet happiness.
Mum… may you always be close. Life isn’t nearly as bright without you.
