From a young age, Emily knew she was beautiful because everyone around her said so.
«Our daughter is such a pretty little thing, stands out with her striking looks among the other girls,» her mother would cheerfully tell her colleagues and friends.
And indeed, no one could deny it. Though their neighbour, Mrs. Thompson, was a bit sceptical:
«All children are lovely, but some grow up plainnot all, mind you, but it happens.»
Emily grew taller, and by the time she reached sixth form, she was a statuesque beautyproud and spoiled, knowing full well that men would bend over backwards for her, staring with longing as she passed.
After school, she failed to get into university, though she had dreamed of higher education. Instead, she went to college and earned a diploma in retail management.
«Darling,» her mother said, «why dont I get you a job in our factorys lab? Its easy worknothing heavy, perfect for someone delicate like you.»
«But what about my diploma?»
«Oh, who even works in their field these days? Besides, retails no life for you,» her mother decided, having spent her own years at the factory alongside Emilys father.
So Emily became a lab technician. By then, she was even more beautifuland knew it. She fell for Daniel, an engineer from another department. Their romance burned hot and fast, and soon enough, he proposed.
«Before someone steals you away, marry me,» he said with a grin, offering his hand. «What do you say?»
«Yes,» she replied happily.
Their wedding was standard for the timeheld in the factory canteen. Back then, everyones big day looked much the same: modest but packed with guests.
Not long after, Emily discovered she was pregnant.
«Daniel, were going to have a baby,» she told him.
«Thats brilliant! Im over the moon, love,» he said, hugging her.
Their daughter, Sophie, was borna pretty little thing, just like her mother. For a while, everything was perfect.
But time passed. Sophie grew up, started nursery, and Emily and Daniel kept working. After maternity leave, something in Emily changednot her looks, but her attitude. She began acting like a queen, belittling Daniel more each day. He took over most of Sophies care: picking her up from nursery, reading bedtime stories, tucking her in.
Emily was always «busy.» She came home late, blaming workthough Daniel knew the lab never ran late. He bit his tongue, afraid of her temper, not wanting Sophie to hear their rows.
«Daniel, I saw your wife with the head engineer at that posh restaurant,» colleagues whispered. He just looked away.
«Daniel, whyd you marry a beauty?» his mates teased. «You know a cake that pretty wont stay untouched for long»
Everyone hinted that Emily was popular with menhigh-flyers, not some ordinary engineer like him. By then, she was seeing Anthony Marsh, a ministry official who spoiled her with jewels and designer gifts.
Daniel became a shadow of himself, handling all the chores and childcare while Emily gave orders: «Help Sophie with her homework,» «Do the shopping,» «Clean the house.» He never thought of divorceworried it would hurt Sophie.
Then came the recession. Anthonys comfortable position crumbledalong with many others. He was accused of fraud.
«Emily, if anyone asks about me, keep your mouth shut,» he muttered one evening. «Ive a feeling we wont be seeing each other much longer.»
He was right. Anthony vanishedarrested, she later learned. Worse, the authorities hauled her in for questioning, holding her overnight. Terrified, she wept, swore she knew nothing of Anthonys dealings.
They let her go for lack of evidence, but her reputation was ruined. She returned home feeling filthy, as if shed been swimming in sewage. Everything was gone. Their savings vanishedDaniel had sold half their belongings just to support her during the ordeal. The factory sacked her, and though Daniel refused to divorce her (for Sophies sake), they lived like strangers.
Once, he nearly leftbut feared how Sophie would take it.
Emily, sensing his thoughts, swallowed her pride.
«Daniel, dont go. Please. I wont mess up again.»
He stayedbut couldnt bear to touch her.
«You slept with other men.»
«I did it for us,» she insisted.
Yet soon enough, she strayed againthis time with a young assistant, Tom. Old connections and sharp business sense helped her bounce back in the new economy. Borrowing money, she rented a souvenir kiosk in a tourist-heavy spot. Within years, she owned two shops.
«Daniel, Im flying to Turkey for stockpick me up from the airport,» she ordered. «Then Im off to Poland. Why dont you quit your job and help me?»
«No. Im no good at sales.»
«But I need a mans strength.»
«Plenty of unemployed blokes around,» he shrugged.
Emily took Tom as both assistant and lover, sneaking off to hotels. Money flowed in, but she and Daniel remained estrangednever divorcing. He knew about Tom, occasionally brought it up.
«If youd paid me attention, I wouldnt need a ‘helper,'» she shot back.
«You disgust me,» he said.
Years flew by. Sophie graduated, married, and moved to Scotland. New Year approachedEmily jetted off to China, Daniel celebrated in Finland with friends. They returned for the New Year.
«Emilywhat the hell?» Daniel gaped at her. «You look twenty years younger!»
Not a wrinkle on her stomach, though shed recently put on weight. Now she was slender and statuesque again.
«How much did that cost?»
She laughed wildly before answering, dead serious:
«Everything. Absolutely everything.» She held out ringless hands, emptied her purse. «Chinese magicmassages, acupuncture. Cost a fortune.»
She couldnt stand the thought of ageing beside young Tom.
«Youre old. Look at me,» she twirled.
«Were the same age!»
She just laughed. He was devastated.
The treatments drained her fundsprofits werent what theyd been. Then Daniel had a heart attack. Hospitalised, then homebound, he aged overnight.
«God, is that what Id look like?» Emily muttered, checking her reflection.
«Emily, sit with me,» hed plead sometimes.
«Cant. Times moneyyou know that.»
One day at the shop, Tom handed her a folder.
«Read this.»
«What? Ive no time for paperwork»
«Emily, this isnt just paperwork. Its over. Everythings mine now. Youre done.»
At the solicitors office, she refused to believe it.
«Emily, Im sorrytheres nothing I can do,» the solicitor repeated.
«He bribed you! Name your priceIll pay more!»
«My services arent cheap, but I dont take dirty money. Your assistants paperwork is flawless. Every transfer document bears your signature.»
«But I thought it was temporarywhile I was dealing with Daniels health!»
The solicitor sighed.
«You shouldve read the fine print. Or hired me sooner.»
«At your rates?» she sneered.
«Well, you wanted to cut corners. Dont blame me.»
She slunk out like a kicked dog. At home, a thought struck her:
«I need money. Lots of it.»
«Emily, what about the business?» Daniel asked weakly.
«Gone. But I need cash»
«Weve nothing left.»
«What about the flat?»
«Nonot that!»
«Well sell it, buy something cheaper outside town.»
«And whatll I do?»
«Ill buy you a computer. Live a little.»
«What life?»
«The virtual kind,» she cackled.
Emily was certainshed sell the flat, rise from the ashes like a phoenix, and start again.
