«Listen up! I’m rich now, and it’s time for us to divorce,» declared the husband with a smug arrogance, oblivious to the storm he was about to unleash.
«You dont even realise how much your dullness grates on me now,» snapped William, his eyes flashing with contempt. «I dont need a plain JaneI deserve better!»
«Do you honestly think money makes you a better man?» Emily replied, her voice trembling as she fought back tears.
The warm glow of the evening sun bathed the kitchen where Emily was preparing dinner. The rich aroma of shepherds pie and freshly baked scones filled the air.
William burst through the door, waving an envelope triumphantly, his grin stretching from ear to ear.
«Em! Em! You wont believe it!» he shouted, not bothering to kick off his shoes. «Ive had a lettersome distant relative left me a fortune! Were set for life!»
Emily turned, wiping her hands on her apron.
«Thats wonderful, Will,» she said softly. «But who was this relative? Weve never heard of them.»
«Who cares?» William laughed, planting a kiss on her cheek. «Now we can have anything we want!»
Emily raised an eyebrow but stayed silent as William launched into grand plans, gesturing wildly as he dreamed of luxury cars and exotic holidays.
Yet by the next morning, after a sleepless night of fantasising, William had transformed into a stranger. He regarded Emily with disdain, barking orders and expecting constant attention. Every word out of his mouth revolved around his newfound wealth, as if hed been knighted rather than inherited money.
«You know, Em,» he said over breakfast, avoiding her gaze, «now that Im wealthy, we ought to rethink this marriage.»
Emily froze, staring at him in disbelief.
«What on earth do you mean?» she asked, her voice cracking.
«Its simple,» he said, biting into his toast. «Ive moved up in the world. And you well, youre just ordinary.»
Emily was stunned. She met her closest friendsSophie and Charlotteat a cosy café to unload her shock.
«Girls, you wont believe whats happened,» she began, clutching her teacup. «Williams come into money and suddenly thinks Im beneath him!»
Sophie scoffed. «Blimey. Whos this mystery relative, then?»
Charlotte frowned, listening intently.
«What are you going to do?» she asked.
«I dont know,» Emily sighed. «Hes become absolutely vile!»
Sophie shook her head. «Em, are you sure this isnt some mistake? Maybe hes just lost the plot?»
«I dont think so,» Emily murmured. «This isnt the man I married.»
Charlotte leaned in, deep in thought.
The evening ended with Emily returning home, where William was already poring over brochures for expensive watches. A knot of dread tightened in her chest, but the thought of her friends support kept her going.
Days passed, and William grew worse. Though he hadnt yet received the inheritance, he strutted about as if he owned the world, treating Emily with outright scorn.
«Em, wheres my suit?» he bellowed one morning. «Ive got an important meeting!»
Emily fetched the suit, hanging it neatly on the bedroom door.
«William, we need to talk,» she ventured timidly.
«Not now,» he dismissed her. «I havent got time for this.»
Tears pricked her eyes. She couldnt fathom why the man she loved had turned into this cold, self-absorbed stranger. That evening, she met Sophie and Charlotte again at their usual corner café.
«I cant carry on like this,» Emily confessed, her voice breaking. «He treats me like a servantsays he needs better company now.»
Sophie rolled her eyes. «What a prat! Em, you need to put him in his place. He hasnt even got the money yet!»
Charlotte squeezed her hand. «Weve got your back. This isnt right.»
Days later, Williams cruelty reached new heights. He accused Emily of gold-digging, sneering that she was only after his wealth.
«Youre just a nobody,» he spat one evening. «Always were. Now I see you for what you really area leech waiting for my money.»
Emilys heart shattered. Shed stood by him for years, and this was her reward?
The next day, she met Sophie and Charlotte again. This time, their faces were grave.
«Emily, we need to come clean,» Sophie began, exchanging a glance with Charlotte.
«We wanted to teach you a lesson,» Charlotte admitted. «That inheritance letter? It was fake. We orchestrated it to show you Williams true colours.»
Emilys breath caught. «You what?»
Sophie sighed. «We saw how he treated you. We wanted you to see who he really was if money ever got to his head.»
Emily sat in stunned silence. Anger, betrayal, and relief warred inside her.
«How could you?» she whispered. «Did you really think this would help?»
Charlotte looked pained. «We never imagined hed be this awful. But now you know.»
Emily exhaled slowly. «I dont know whether to thank you or never speak to you again. But I see him now. Clearly.»
That night, when William returned, Emily was waiting, her resolve steeled.
«Sit down, William. We need to talk.»
He rolled his eyes. «What now?»
«I know the letter was fake. My friends set it up to show me who you really are.»
William paled, then flushed with rage. «You believe them over me? Theyre just jealous!»
Emily stood tall. «No. You showed your true self. You dont deserve meor anyone.»
Spluttering, William stormed out, slamming the door behind him.
Sophie and Charlotte arrived soon after, finding Emily numb but resolute.
«Em, theres more,» Sophie said hesitantly. «Three weeks ago, a solicitor from London contacted me. Hes been trying to reach yousomething about a real inheritance.»
Emilys jaw dropped. «Youre joking.»
Charlotte shook her head. «Its genuine. We tested William before telling you, to protect you.»
Emily dialled the number, her hands trembling. After a brief call, her face lit up.
«Its true. Ive inherited a fortune from a relative I never knew.»
Sophie and Charlotte cheered, hugging her tightly.
«Now youre freeand loaded!» Sophie grinned.
Emily laughed through her tears. For the first time in weeks, hope blossomed in her chest.
They clinked glasses of champagne.
«To new beginnings,» toasted Charlotte.
«To real friends,» Emily whispered, her heart full.
And as they laughed, she knewwhatever came next, she was ready.
