From a young age, Emily knew she was beautifuleveryone said so.
«Our little girl is so pretty, she stands out from all the others,» her mother would proudly tell friends and colleagues.
And indeed, everyone agreed. Only the neighbour across the street offered a word of caution:
«All children are lovely, but not all grow up to be striking. Not saying itll happen to her, but it does happen.»
By secondary school, Emily had blossomed into a tall, slender beautyproud and spoiled, accustomed to getting her way, especially with boys who couldnt take their eyes off her.
After finishing school, she failed to get into university, despite dreaming of higher education, and instead enrolled in college to study retail management.
«Darling,» her mother said, «why dont I get you a job in the factory lab? Its light work, no heavy liftingperfect for someone as delicate as you.»
«But what about my retail qualification?»
«Oh, who actually works in their field these days? And trades no life for you,» her mother insisted. She and Emilys father had spent their whole lives at the factory.
Emily took the lab job. By then, she had grown even more striking and knew her worth. She fell for David, an engineer from another department. Their romance was fiery but briefDavid soon proposed.
«Before someone steals you away, marry me,» he said with a grin. «Will you?»
«Yes,» she answered happily.
Their wedding was typical of the timea modest affair in the factory canteen, crowded with guests.
Soon after, Emily discovered she was expecting.
«David, were going to have a baby,» she announced.
«Thats wonderful! Im so happy,» he replied, embracing her.
Their daughter, Sophie, was borna pretty little thing, taking after her mother. For a while, life was sweet.
But time changed things. As Sophie grew, attending nursery and then school, Emily became colder, treating David with increasing disdain. He took on the bulk of parentingpicking Sophie up, reading to her, tucking her in at night.
Emily, meanwhile, came home late, citing work. David knew the lab never kept anyone overtime, but he bit his tongue, not wanting Sophie to witness their fights.
«David, your wife was seen dining with the head engineer,» colleagues whispered. Hed just lower his eyes.
«Whyd you marry a beauty, mate?» friends teased. «You know what they saypretty cakes get shared.»
It was no secret Emily moved in higher circles now, while David remained an ordinary engineer. She took up with Anthony, a ministry official who showered her with jewellery and designer gifts.
David became a shadow of himselfquiet, dutiful, handling all chores while Emily issued commands: «Help Sophie with her homework. Do the shopping. Clean the house.» Divorce never crossed his mind; he couldnt bear to hurt Sophie.
Then came the political upheavals. Anthonys influence crumbled, and so did Emilys world.
«If anyone asks about me, keep quiet,» Anthony warned her one day. «I dont think well see each other again.»
He was right. Arrested soon after, Emily was dragged in for questioning. Terrified, she begged for release, claiming ignorance of Anthonys dealings.
Eventually freed for lack of evidence, she returned home humiliatedher reputation in tatters, her savings gone. David had sold half their belongings to cover her legal fees. The factory sacked her, and though David refused to divorcefor Sophies sakethey lived as strangers.
For a moment, he considered leaving, but feared the impact on Sophie.
Emily, swallowing her pride, begged: «David, dont go. Forgive meit wont happen again.»
He stayed but recoiled from her touch.
«You slept with others,» he muttered.
«I did it for us!» she shot back.
Yet soon enough, she strayed againthis time with a young assistant, Mark. With sharp business instincts, she borrowed money to open a souvenir stall in a tourist-heavy spot. Within years, she owned two shops.
«David, fetch me from the airportIm flying to Turkey for stock,» shed order. «Or Poland. Honestly, quit your job and help me.»
«Trade isnt for me,» hed reply.
«I need a mans strength!»
«Plenty of unemployed blokes around,» hed say flatly.
So Mark became her partner in more ways than one. Money flowed, but David knew and barely reacted.
«If you paid me attention, I wouldnt need Mark,» shed snipe.
«You disgust me,» hed retort.
Years passed. Sophie married and moved away. New Year cameEmily jetted to China, David celebrated in Finland with friends. When they returned, he barely recognised her.
«Emily, whatyou look younger!»
She didslim again, flawless.
«How much did that cost?»
She laughed wildly. «Everything. I gave it all up.» She held out bare fingers, emptied her purse. «Chinese treatmentsacupuncture, massages. Worth every penny.»
She refused to age alongside Mark. To David, she sneered, «Youre old. Look at me!»
«Were the same age.»
But she only laughed.
Then David had a heart attack. Hospitalised, then homefrail, unable to work.
«God, is that what Id look like?» Emily muttered, catching her reflection after glancing at him.
«Stay with me a while,» hed plead.
«I cant. Time is money,» shed say, rushing off.
One day at the shop, Mark handed her a folder.
«Read this.»
«What is it? Ive no time for paperwork.»
«Its not paperwork. Its ownership papers. Everythings mine now. Youre done.»
At the solicitors, she was told: «Im sorry, but your assistants filings are flawless. Your signatures are on every transfer.»
«I thought it was temporary!» she cried. «While I was at the hospital with David!»
The solicitor sighed. «You shouldve read the fine printor hired me sooner.»
«Youre too expensive,» she scoffed.
«Then dont complain when corners cut cost you everything.»
Defeated, she returned home, scheming.
«I need money. A lot.»
«What happened to the business?» David asked weakly.
«Gone. But I need cashwell sell the flat.»
«Nonot our home!»
«Well buy something cheaper. Youll get a computerlive online.»
«What life?»
«The virtual kind,» she cackled.
Emily was sure shed rise again, like a phoenix. But some ashes never reignite.
Pride dazzles, but its humility that endures.
