Listen well! Im wealthy now, and its time we divorced,» declared the husband with a haughty air. He had no notion of what was to come. «You cant fathom how your plainness and dullness grate on me,» Edward said, his eyes flashing. «Ive no use for a wallflower; I deserve better!»
«Do you truly believe riches make you superior?» Eleanor replied, her voice thick with hurt, fighting back tears.
The soft glow of twilight warmed the kitchen where Eleanor prepared supper. The scent of hearty beef stew and freshly baked bread filled the air.
Edward burst through the door, brandishing an envelope, his grin stretching from ear to ear.
«Ellie! Ellie! Youll never guess!» he cried, not even pausing to remove his shoes. «Ive had word of an inheritance from some distant cousin! Im a wealthy man now!»
Eleanor turned, drying her hands on her apron.
«Thats wonderful, Eddie,» she said softly. «But who was this cousin? Weve never heard of them»
«Who cares!» Edward laughed, sweeping forward to plant a kiss on her cheek. «Now we can have anything we desire!»
Eleanor arched a brow but had no chance to speak as Edward prattled on about grand plans, gesticulating wildly as he dreamed of lavish purchases.
Yet by the next morning, after a sleepless night spent envisioning his newfound fortune, Edward was a changed man.
He regarded Eleanor with disdain, barking orders and demanding undivided attention. Every word from his lips boasted of his wealth and success, as though the letter had conferred not just money, but knighthood.
«You know, Ellie,» he said over breakfast, avoiding her gaze, «now that Im a man of means, we ought to reconsider our arrangement.»
Eleanor stiffened, staring at him in disbelief.
«What do you mean?» she asked, her voice trembling.
«Well, you see, Ive risen to another station,» he said, biting into his toast.
«Other people? What on earth are you saying, Edward?»
«Merely that Im now a man of fortune,» he repeated, as if it explained all. «And you youre too ordinary.»
Eleanor was stunned. She summoned her dearest friendsMargaret and Beatriceto meet at a teahouse and share her woes.
«Girls, you wont believe it!» she began the moment they were seated. «Edwards come into some inheritance and now deems me unfit for him!»
Margaret scoffed.
«Well, I never. Whos this phantom relation?»
Beatrice frowned, listening intently.
«And what will you do?» she asked.
«I dont know,» Eleanor sighed. «Edwards become so horrid!»
Margaret shook her head.
«Ellie, are you certain this isnt some mistake? Perhaps hes just lost his senses?»
«I dont know,» Eleanor repeated. «But this isnt the man I married.»
Beatrice, her brow furrowed deeper, fell into thought.
So the evening passed. Eleanor returned home, where Edward was already poring over catalogues of fine carriages. A knot of worry settled in her chest, but the thought of her steadfast friends buoyed her spirits.
Days slipped by, and Edward grew ever more intolerable. Though the inheritance had yet to materialise, he carried himself as though already a lord of the manor, treating Eleanor with scorn.
«Ellie, wheres my waistcoat?» he bellowed one morning. «Ive a meeting of great import today!»
Eleanor fetched the garment and laid it carefully upon the bed.
«Edward, might we talk?» she ventured timidly.
«Not now,» he dismissed her. «Ive no time for trifles.»
Eleanor felt tears pricking her eyes. She couldnt fathom how the man she loved had become this cold stranger. She resolved to seek her friends counsel once more.
That evening, Eleanor met Margaret and Beatrice at their usual corner teahouse. They took their favourite table by the window, ordered tea, and began to untangle the mess.
«Girls, I cant bear this any longer,» Eleanor began, her voice quivering. «Edwards grown unbearable. He treats me like a scullery maid and says he needs finer company.»
Margaret set down her cup with a clatter.
«The cad! Ellie, you must put him in his place. He hasnt a penny yet, and already hes too grand for his boots.»
Beatrice took Eleanors hand.
«Ellie, were with you. Stay strongall will be well.»
Margaret nodded firmly.
«He shant hurt you whilst were about.»
«Thank you, both,» Eleanor whispered, drawing comfort from their presence.
As days passed, Edwards cruelty knew no bounds. He belittled Eleanor, accusing her of greed, of waiting to feast upon his wealth.
«Ellie, you must see Im a different man now,» Edward said one evening. «Youve always been so plain, but now your true colours show. You only want my money.»
Eleanor looked at him, aghast.
«Edward, how can you say such things? All these years, Ive stood by you!»
«Aye, stood by,» he sneered. «But now I see you for what you are.»
Her heart shattered. Shed borne his scorn with patience, but his words cut too deep.
«Edward, let us speak plainly,» she said firmly.
«Of what? Your designs on my fortune?» he mocked.
«No. Of whats become of you. Id understand why youve changed so.»
Edward eyed her with contempt.
«Youd never grasp it. Youre too simple for such matters.»
This was the final straw. Eleanor would endure no more.
The next day, she met Margaret and Beatrice. Their presence alone was a balm.
«Ellie, weve something to confess,» Margaret began, exchanging a glance with Beatrice.
Beatrice nodded.
«We meant it in jest, but its gone too far.»
Eleanors stomach twisted.
«What do you mean?»
Margaret sighed.
«The inheritance letter its false. Beatrice and I concocted it to show you what money might do to a man.»
Eleanor went very still.
«You mean it was all a lie?» she whispered.
Beatrice squeezed her hand.
«We did it because we saw how Edward treated you. We wished to reveal his true nature. And hes proved worse than we feared.»
Tears spilled down Eleanors cheeks. Anger, betrayal, reliefall warred within her.
«How could you?» she choked out. «Did you think this would help?»
Margaret looked contrite.
«We thought it might open your eyes. We never imagined hed become so vile»
Eleanor sat in silence, grappling with the truth. At last she spoke.
«I dont know why you did this. But it was cruel. Now I see Edward for what he isand my friends, too.»
When Edward returned that evening, he found Eleanor waiting, her gaze steely.
«Ellie, whats this now?» he snapped, shrugging off his coat.
«Sit down, Edward,» she said calmly. «Weve much to discuss.»
He sat, scowling.
«More talk? Ive had my fill.»
Eleanor steadied herself.
«I know the truth about the letter. It was a sham. My friends arranged it to show me your true character.»
Edward paled. Shock, then fury, twisted his features.
«What? A sham? Youre having me on!»
«No, Edward. You behaved as though you were truly wealthy. You became proud, cruel. You demeaned me, thinking wealth gave you the right.»
He sprang up, face flushed with rage.
«Preposterous! You take their word over mine? Theyre jealous of our happiness!»
Eleanor rose, meeting his glare without flinching.
«No, Edward. They showed me the truth. Youve proven yourself unworthy of my love. Money revealed your heartand its rotten.»
Edwards chest heaved. He knew he was undone.
«Very well. Youve made your choice. Youll regret casting me aside.»
As he stormed out, Eleanor felt both agony and relief. The man shed loved was gone.
Margaret and Beatrice arrived soon after. They found Eleanor composed yet shaken.
«Ellie, how are you?» Margaret asked gently.
«It was dreadful,» Eleanor admitted. «But necessary.»
Beatrice hesitated.
«Ellie, we told you of the false letterbut not why we did it. Shall we explain?»
Eleanor nodded.
«Id hear it.»
Margaret took a breath.
«Three weeks past, a London solicitor contacted me. Hed tried to reach you, but you keep to yourselfno social circles, no calls. He left his card, asking me to pass it along. Theres a real matter of inheritance, though he shared no details.»
Eleanor gaped.
«A real inheritance? From whom? You werent jesting?»
Beatrice continued:
«The solicitor left instructions for you to call. Margaret and I thought, given its London, the sum must be substantial. We resolved to test Edward before telling you. We had to know if wealth would ruin your marriage.»
Eleanor sat dumbstruck. All along, theyd been shielding her.
«So this was for my sake?» she whispered.
Margaret nodded.
«Yes, Ellie. We needed you to see him clearly before the truth came out.»
Eleanor weptthis time with gratitude.
«Thank you, both. Id have been lost without you.»
Beatrice embraced her.
«Were here, Ellie. Now you must ring the solicitor.»
Eleanor made the call. The solicitor confirmed it: a considerable fortune, left by a forgotten relation.
«Its true,» she breathed, scarcely believing her luck.
Margaret and Beatrice clapped with joy.
«Ellie, youre rich!» cried Margaret.
«And free of Edwards cruelty,» Beatrice added.
Eleanor smiled through her tears. A new life lay before herone of freedom and possibility, with true friends beside her.
They raised glasses of sherry, which Margaret had wisely brought.
«To a fresh start, full of joy!» Margaret declared.
«To loyal friends and brighter days!» Beatrice added.
Eleanor lifted her glass, heart swelling.
«To you both. My dearest companions.»
They drank, laughing and embracing, celebrating Eleanors freedom and fortune.
She knew challenges lay ahead, but she was ready. With wealth and true friends, she could face anything.
