«Listen up! I’m rich now, and it’s time for us to divorce,» said the husband with a smug grin. He had no idea what was coming.
«You dont even realise how much your mediocrity bores me,» James snapped, his eyes cold. «I dont need a dull housewifeI deserve better!»
«Do you really think money changes who you are?» Emily replied, her voice trembling as she fought back tears.
The warm glow of the evening sun filled the kitchen where Emily was preparing supper. The aroma of shepherds pie and freshly baked scones lingered in the air.
James burst through the door, waving an envelope triumphantly.
«Em! Em! You wont believe this!» he shouted, still in his shoes. «Ive just inherited a fortune from some distant uncle! Were set for life!»
Emily turned, wiping her hands on her apron.
«Thats wonderful, love,» she said softly. «But who was this uncle? Weve never heard of him.»
«Who cares!» James laughed, planting a kiss on her cheek. «Now we can have anything we want!»
Emily raised an eyebrow but didnt get a word in as James launched into grand plans, gesturing wildly about luxury cars and exotic holidays.
But by the next morning, after a sleepless night dreaming of wealth, James had changed entirely.
He regarded Emily with disdain, barking orders and demanding attention. Every word out of his mouth was about his newfound success, as if hed won the lottery rather than inherited a modest sum.
«You know, Em,» he said over breakfast, avoiding her gaze, «now that Im wealthy, I think we should reevaluate our relationship.»
Emily froze, staring at him in disbelief.
«What are you saying?» she whispered, her throat tight.
«I mean, Im on a different level now,» he said, taking a bite of toast. «Youre just ordinary.»
Emily was stunned. She met her closest friendsSophie and Claireat a cosy café to confide in them.
«Girls, you wont believe this,» she began, fighting tears. «James got some inheritance and now thinks Im beneath him!»
Sophie scoffed.
«Seriously? Who was this mystery uncle?»
Claire listened intently, frowning.
«What are you going to do?» she asked.
«I dont know,» Emily sighed. «Hes become unbearable!»
Sophie shook her head.
«Em, are you sure this isnt just a phase? Maybe hes lost the plot a bit?»
Claire, still deep in thought, finally spoke.
«Em, weve got your back. Whatever happens.»
Emily returned home to find James browsing luxury car catalogues. A knot of dread tightened in her chest, but her friends support kept her strong.
Days passed, and James grew worse. Though the money hadnt even cleared, he strutted around like a millionaire, treating Emily like hired help.
«Em, wheres my suit?» he snapped one morning. «Ive got an important meeting!»
Emily handed it to him, neatly pressed.
«James, can we talk?» she asked hesitantly.
«Not now,» he dismissed her. «I dont have time for this.»
That evening, Emily met Sophie and Claire again, sipping tea at their usual spot.
«Girls, I cant take this anymore,» she admitted, voice breaking. «He acts like Im his servant!»
Sophie rolled her eyes.
«What a prat! Em, you need to put him in his placehe hasnt even got the money yet!»
Claire squeezed her hand.
«Were here for you. Itll be alright.»
But James only grew crueller, accusing Emily of gold-digging.
«Emily, its obvious nowyoure just waiting for my money,» he sneered one night.
Her heart shattered. She couldnt recognise the man shed married.
The next day, Sophie and Claire dropped a bombshell.
«Emily, theres something we need to tell you,» Sophie began, exchanging a glance with Claire.
«The inheritance letter it was fake. We set it up to test James.»
Emily paled.
«What?»
Claire took her hand.
«We wanted you to see his true colours. And he failed miserably.»
Emilys hands shookbetrayal, relief, anger swirling inside her.
When James came home, she confronted him.
«I know the letter was fake. And I know who you really are.»
James turned red with rage.
«This is absurd! Youre throwing away our marriage over a stupid prank?»
Emily stood firm.
«No. You did that yourself.»
As he stormed out, Sophie and Claire arrived, holding Emily as she cried. Then, they dropped another revelation.
«Em, the fake letter was just the test. Theres a real inheritancea solicitor from Londons been trying to reach you.»
Emilys jaw dropped.
«What?»
Claire nodded.
«We wanted to be sure James wouldnt hurt you when the real money came.»
With trembling hands, Emily called the solicitor. Moments later, her face lit up.
«Its true. Ive inherited a fortune.»
Sophie grinned.
«Now youre freeand loaded!»
Claire raised a glass of champagne.
«To a fresh start!»
Emily clinked her glass, tears of gratitude in her eyes.
«To true friends.»
As they laughed and toasted, Emily knewwhatever came next, she was ready.
