From a young age, Emily knew she was pretty because everyone around her said so.
«Our little girl is lovely, standing out with such rare beauty among the other girls,» her mother would proudly tell all her colleagues and friends.
And indeed, everyone saw it and agreedyou couldnt deny it. Though their neighbour did raise a sceptical eyebrow:
«All children are sweet, but when they grow up, they dont always stay that way,» shed say, then add, «Not everyone, mind you, but it happens.»
Emily grew up, and by secondary school, she had become a tall, elegant beauty. Arrogant and spoiled, she knew men would do anything for herespecially the boys who watched her with longing.
After finishing school, she didnt make it into university, though she had dreamed of higher education, so she settled for a college diploma in retail management.
«Darling,» her mother said, «why dont I get you a job at the factory in the lab? Its not hard workno heavy liftingand youve always been delicate.»
«But what about my diploma?»
«Oh, who even works in their field these days? And why would you want to mess about in shops?» Her mother had decided, having spent her own life working at the factory alongside Emilys father.
So Emily became a lab technician. By then, she was even more beautiful and knew her worth. She fell for James, an engineer from the next department. Their love was fiery, and after a whirlwind romance, he proposed.
«Before someone else snatches you away, marry me,» he said with a smile, offering his heart. «Will you?»
«I will,» she beamed.
Their wedding was like everyone elses at the timeheld in the factory canteen. Back then, in the old days, weddings were all the same. Not extravagant, but with plenty of guests.
Soon after, Emily discovered she was expecting.
«James, our familys growing,» she told him.
«Brilliant, Im chuffedreally chuffed, love,» he said, kissing her.
A daughter arrived, just as pretty, taking after her mother. Everyone was happy.
Years passed. Their little girl, Sophie, grew up, went to nursery, while Emily and James worked. After maternity leave, Emily changednot in looks, but in attitude. Somehow, she decided she was royalty, and her husband became her favourite target for belittlement. James took over most of Sophies carepicking her up from nursery, reading bedtime stories, tucking her in.
Emily was always «busy.» She came home late, making excuses about work, though James knew the lab didnt demand overtime. He bit his tongue, afraid of sparking a row that would upset Sophie.
«James, we saw your wife with the head engineer at that fancy restaurant,» colleagues told him, but he just looked away.
«James, whyd you marry a beauty?» his mates asked. «You know a cake that pretty wont stay uneaten for long»
Everyone made it clear Emily had admirersmen in high places, not like him, just an ordinary engineer. By then, she was seeing Anthony, a ministry official, who spoiled her with jewellery and designer clothes.
James became a quiet, downtrodden husband, running the household alone while Emily only gave ordershomework for Sophie, groceries for him, cooking and cleaning. Divorce never crossed his mind; he didnt want to hurt Sophie.
Then came the turbulent ’90s, and the official Emily was seeingAnthonyfound himself in hot water. Corruption rumours swirled.
«Emily, if anyone asks about me, keep quiet,» he warned. «Ive got a feeling we wont be seeing each other much longer.»
He was right. Anthony vanishedarrested, she later learned. Worse, she was hauled in for questioning, detained overnight. Terrified, she begged them to let her go, swearing she knew nothing about Anthonys dealings.
Eventually released for lack of evidence, her reputation was in tatters. She came home feeling like shed been swimming in filth. Everything was gonetheir savings, half sold off by James to cover her legal fees. The factory sacked her. James wouldnt divorce herfor Sophies sakebut they lived like strangers.
Once, he nearly left, but fear of hurting Sophie stopped him.
Emily, stung by pride, pleaded:
«James, dont go. Forgive meit wont happen again.»
He stayed but refused to touch her.
«You slept with other men.»
«I did it for our family,» she shot back.
Soon, she strayed again, finding a young assistant, Tom. Old contacts and sharp business sense helped her bounce back. Borrowing money, she rented a souvenir stall in a tourist-heavy spot. Within years, she owned two shops.
«James, pick me up from the airportIm flying to Turkey for stock,» shed order. «Or Poland. Honestly, quit your job and help me.»
«Not a salesman, me,» hed say.
«But I need a mans strength!»
«Plenty of unemployed blokes around,» hed mutter.
So Emily took Tom as her assistantand loverhiding away in hotels. Money flowed, but at home, she and James were mere flatmates. He knew about Tom, sometimes bringing it up.
«If you paid me attention, I wouldnt need a ‘helper,'» shed snipe.
«You disgust me,» hed reply.
Time flew. Sophie graduated, married, and moved to Scotland. New Years came. Emily jetted to China; James celebrated in Finland with mates. Both returned after the holidays.
«Emilywhat the hell?» James gaped. «You look younger!»
She didno belly fat, despite recent weight gain. Now slim and striking again.
«How much did that cost?»
She laughed wildly, then sobered. «Everything. Absolutely everything.» She held out bare hands, no diamond rings left, dumped her purse. «Chinese magicmassages, acupuncture. Cost a fortune.»
She wouldnt age beside young Tom. To James, she sneered:
«Youre old. Look at me.»
«Were the same age!»
She just cackled.
The procedures drained her fundsprofits werent what they used to be. Then James had a heart attack. Hospitalised, then home, too frail to work. Aged overnight.
«God, is that what Id look like?» Emily muttered, checking the mirror, remembering they were the same age.
«Emily, sit with me,» hed ask.
«Cant. Times money.»
One day, at the shop, Tom waited with a folder.
«Read this.»
«What? No time for paperwork.»
«Emily, this isnt paperwork. Its legal. The business is mine now. Youre done.»
At the solicitors, she was stonewalled.
«Emily, I cant help. Hes covered every angleyour signatures on every transfer.»
«But I thought it was temporary!»
«Shouldve read the small print.»
«Your fees were too high!»
«Then dont complain when it backfires.»
Defeated, she slunk home.
«I need money. A lot.»
«Whats left?» James sighed.
«The flat.»
«Nonot that!»
«Well sell, buy something cheaper.»
«And whatll I do?»
«Ill get you a computer. Live online.»
«What life?»
«The virtual kind,» she laughed.
Emily knew selling the flat would be her phoenix momentrising from the ashes, starting again.
