From the moment she could remember, Emma knew she was beautiful, because everyone around her said so.
«Our little girl is so pretty, far lovelier than the other girls,» her mother would gush to colleagues and acquaintances.
And indeed, everyone agreedthough Mrs. Whitaker from next door had her doubts.
«Children are all sweet-looking, but they change as they grow,» shed say, then quickly correct herself. «Not all, mind you, but it happens.»
Emma grew tall and striking by her teens, with an air of haughty charm. She knew boys would do anything for her, their eyes following her with longing.
After school, she didnt manage to get into university, though shed dreamed of it. Instead, she went to trade college, graduating with a diploma in retail management.
«Love,» her mother said, «why dont I get you a job at the factory lab? Its light work, nothing heavyyoure far too delicate for that.»
«But what about my diploma?»
«Oh, who even works in their field these days? And why would you want retail?» Her mother had decided, as she and Emmas father had spent their whole lives at the factory.
Emma became a lab assistant. By then, she was even more beautiful, knew her worth, and fell madly for James, an engineer from the next department. Their love burned hot and fastwithin months, he proposed.
«Before someone steals you away, marry me,» he said, grinning as he offered his hand. «Will you?»
«I will,» she beamed.
The wedding was like any otherheld in the factory canteen. Back then, in the old days, everyones weddings were the same. Modest, but crowded with guests.
Soon after, Emma discovered she was expecting.
«James, were going to have a baby,» she told him.
«Thats brilliant, absolutely brilliant,» he said, pulling her into a hug.
Their daughter, Sophie, was bornjust as pretty as her mother. For a while, they were happy.
But time passed. Sophie grew, went to nursery, while Emma and James worked. After maternity leave, something shifted in Emmanot her looks, but her attitude. She began acting like a queen, lording over James, humiliating him more each day. He spent most of his time with Sophie, picking her up from nursery, reading bedtime stories, tucking her in.
Emma was always busy. Coming home late, claiming overtimethough James knew no one stayed late at the lab. He didnt dare confront her; shed scream the flat down. He didnt want Sophie to hear.
«James, your wife was seen with the chief engineer at The Rose & Crown,» colleagues muttered. Hed just look away.
«James, whyd you marry a beauty?» his friends asked. «You know a pretty cake doesnt stay uneaten for long»
It was no secretEmma moved in higher circles now, not like James, just an ordinary engineer. Soon, she was seeing Anthony Whitmore, a ministry official. He spoiled her, showering her with jewels and designer clothes.
James became a ghost in his own home. He did everythingcooking, cleaning, looking after Sophie. Emma just gave orders. He never thought of divorce, afraid of hurting Sophie.
Then came the upheavalthe political winds changed, and Anthonys world crumbled.
«Emma, if anyone asks about me, keep quiet,» he said one day. «I dont think well be seeing each other much longer.»
He was right. Anthony vanishedarrested, she later learned. Then they came for her. Questioned her. Didnt let her go home. She begged, wept, swore she knew nothing of Anthonys dealings.
Eventually, they released herno evidence. But her reputation was ruined. She came home feeling like shed been drowning in filth. Everything was gone. Savings vanishedJames had sold half their things just to keep her afloat. The factory sacked her. James stayed, for Sophies sake, but they were strangers now.
Once, he nearly left. But he feared what itd do to Sophieshe needed her mother, however flawed.
Emma, sensing his hesitation, swallowed her pride.
«James, dont go. Dont leave me. It wont happen again.»
He stayed. But he wouldnt touch her.
«You slept with them,» hed say.
«I did it for us,» shed reply.
But she strayed again, finding a young assistant, Liamsharp, ambitious. Old contacts helped her claw her way back. Borrowing money, she rented a souvenir stall in a tourist hotspot. Within years, she had a shop, then another.
«James, Im flying to Turkey for stockpick me up from Heathrow,» shed order. «Im off to Poland. Honestly, quit your job and help me. I need a mans strength.»
«Not me. Im no trader,» hed say.
«Plenty of unemployed blokes out there,» he muttered once.
So she took Liam instead, hiding away in hotels. Money flowed, but at home, she and James were just housemates. He knew about Liam.
«If you paid me attention, I wouldnt need a helper,» shed snap.
«You disgust me,» hed retort.
Years flew. Sophie married and moved to Scotland. New Year came. Emma jetted to China; James celebrated quietly in Wales with friends.
When they returned, James stared.
«Emmawhat happened? You look younger.»
She did. No sagging belly, no wrinkles. Slim and striking again.
«How much did that cost?»
She laughedharsh, brittle. Then, deadly serious:
«Everything. I gave it all.» She held out her bare hands, shook her empty purse. «Chinese magic. Needles, massages. Cost a fortune.»
She couldnt bear growing old beside Liam. To James, she sneered:
«Youre ancient. Look at me.»
«Were the same age!»
She just laughed.
But the money dwindled. The treatments were ruinous. Then James had a heart attack. Hospital. Came home frail, aged overnight.
«God, is this what Id look like?» Emma muttered, studying him, then her reflection.
«Emma, sit with me,» hed whisper.
«Cant. Times money.»
One day, at the shop, Liam waited, smirking, a folder in hand.
«Read this.»
«What is it? I dont have time»
«Its over. This is mine now. Youre nothing.»
She sat across from her solicitor, disbelieving.
«Mrs. Whitmore, Im sorry. Theres nothing I can do.»
«He bought you too? How much? Ill pay more!»
«My reputations worth more than your money. Every document bears your signature. You shouldve read them.»
Defeated, she slunk home. Then, a thought
«I need money. Lots of it.»
James looked up weakly.
«Theres nothing left.»
«The flat, then.»
«Nonot that!»
«Well sell it, buy something cheaper.»
«And what will I do?»
«Ill buy you a computer. Live in the virtual world.»
She laughed, already plotting. Sell the flat, rise againlike a phoenix. Shed win it all back.
