Emily had always been the other woman. Marriage hadnt worked out for hershed stayed single till thirty before finally deciding to find a man. At first, she didnt know James was married, but once shed fallen for him, he didnt bother hiding it anymore.
She never blamed James, though. Instead, she beat herself up over the affair, calling herself weak. She felt like a failure for not settling down in time, as if her youth was slipping away. Not that she was unattractiveshe wasnt a stunner, but she had a sweet face, a little curvy, which maybe made her look older than she was.
The relationship was going nowhere. Emily didnt want to stay the mistress, but she couldnt bring herself to leave James either. The thought of being alone terrified her.
One day, her cousin Liam dropped by. He was in town for work and stopped in for a quick visitthey hadnt seen each other in ages. Over lunch in the kitchen, they chatted like old times, catching up on life. Emily ended up confiding in him about her love life, tears and all.
Just then, her neighbor popped in, asking Emily to come over for a minute to check out some new things shed bought. Emily slipped out for twenty minutes. Thats when the doorbell rang. Liam answered, thinking she was backthey hadnt locked up.
James stood on the doorstep, freezing when he saw a bloke in joggers and a T-shirt chomping on a ham sandwich.
«Uh… is Emily home?» James managed.
«Shes in the shower,» Liam shot back, quick on his feet.
«Sorry, who are you?» James stammered.
«Her fiancé. For now. And you?» Liam stepped closer, grabbing James by the collar. «You wouldnt be that married bloke she told me about, would ya? Listen ereif I catch you round here again, Ill toss you down the stairs. Got it?»
James wriggled free and bolted.
When Emily got back, Liam told her what happened.
«Whatve you done?» she cried. «He wont come back now.»
She sank onto the sofa, covering her face.
«Damn right he wontand good riddance. Stop moping. Ive got a proper bloke in mind for you. Widower back in our village. Women have been chasing him since his wife passed, but hes not interested. Reckon hes not ready yet. After my work trip, Ill swing bywell go see him.»
«What? No, Liam, I cant justwho even is he? Its embarrassing!»
«Embarrassing is sleeping with a married man, not meeting a free one. No ones shoving you into bed with him. Come on, its my Sarahs birthday soon anyway.»
A few days later, they were back in the village. Liams wife, Sarah, had set up a garden party by the shed. Neighbors, matesand Liams friend, the widower Danielall showed up.
After a warm evening, Emily returned to the city, quietly noting how shy and gentle Daniel was. *Poor mans still grieving. Not many like him left.*
A week later, her doorbell rang unexpectedly. Daniel stood there, holding a bag.
«Hope you dont mind,» he said, flustered. «Was in town for errands. Thought Id drop by.»
She invited him in, baffled but polite. Over tea, they made small talk about the weather and market prices. When he got up to leave, he lingered by the door, fiddling with his jacket.
«Look, if I leave without saying this, Ill regret it,» he blurted. «Emily, I havent stopped thinking about you all week. Had to see you.»
She flushed, looking down.
«We barely know each other…»
«Doesnt matter. Just tell medo you mind me? Can we drop the formalities? I know Im no prize. Got a little girl, eight years old. Shes at her grans now.»
His hands trembled slightly.
«A daughters lovely,» Emily murmured. «Ive always wanted one.»
Encouraged, Daniel took her hands, pulled her close, and kissed her. When he pulled back, her eyes were glistening.
«Did I upset you?»
«No… its sweet. I didnt expect… it feels right.»
After that, they met every weekend. Two months later, they married and settled in the village. Emily started working at a nursery. A year on, they had a baby girl. Now the house was fulltwo daughters, equally loved.
And Daniel and Emily? They just grew happier, their love deepening like aged wine.
At family gatherings, Liam would nudge Emily with a grin:
«Well, Em? Told you he was a keeper. Look at youglowing. Shed roll her eyes, swatting his arm, but couldnt hide her smile. «Shut up, Liam.» And as she turned to watch Daniel playing with their girls in the garden, sunlight in their hair, she knewthis was the life shed always wanted, not found in stolen moments, but built in quiet honesty, one ordinary, beautiful day at a time.
