Emily adored James. So much that she forgave him for practically everything.
They tied the knot when Emily was still barely a teenagerjust turned nineteen. Shed been chasing James since she was sixteen, even trying to look older than she was. At first he barely gave her a glance; she was just a little thing to him. Then she grew up, became a stunner, and James thought, why turn down something thats sailing right into his lap?
He was twentyfour, Emily eighteen. Their relationship beganodd, a bit offkilter.
James could disappear for days on end. No phone calls, no replies to texts. Hed simply wander off somewhere. Then hed pop back as if nothing had happened, and Emily would always be waiting. Of course there were tears, but James kept telling her he loved only her. He was just a freespirited sort, never quite satisfied.
Emily clung to the hope that one day hed change, that hed love her as fiercely as she loved him.
Emily had a friend, Harry. Theyd been together since nursery, grew up on the same culdesac, later went to the same school.
Harry was secretly in love with Emily, but he knew she saw him only as a mate. It pained him that she didnt value herself enough, didnt realise she deserved the best.
Harry imagined that if Emily ever returned his feelings, hed move mountains for her. But he also knew that wasnt going to happen. She was smitten with James, as if hed cast a spell on her. So Harry kept his distance, quietly staying close.
Whenever James vanished again or started a pointless argument, Emily would weep to Harry.
Why does he treat me like this? I love him so much shed sigh.
Maybe you ought to stop loving him? Harry would snap.
I cant, you dont understand
Harry understood perfectly. Hed gladly stop loving Emily himself, but that just wasnt his style, so he kept his mouth shut, knowing exactly how she felt.
James grew more unmanageable. He started drinking heavily and openly flirted with other girls. In a moment of desperate romance, Emily made the biggest mistake a lovesick lass can makeshe got pregnant, naïvely believing the baby would fix everything. She thought James would finally grow up, get his act together, cherish her, and adore his child.
She fell pregnant at nineteen, told James, but saw no joy flicker on his face.
We ought to get married, I guess, she muttered, embarrassed. Before the belly shows.
Probably, he muttered gloomily.
Why James finally agreed to the altar was a mystery. Maybe he thought something would work out, or maybe he simply didnt know he could walk away.
Emily was the happiest bride imaginable. For Harry, the day was a funeral. He watched Emily beam with hope and wanted to whisk her away, lock her up, and make her see he was far better than James.
Naturally he didnt. He feigned wellwishes for her and James, then drowned his sorrows in pints.
Emily and James welcomed a son, Oliver. At first James tried to be a proper father and husband. He stopped vanishing, cut back on nights out, helped with the baby, and didnt argue with Emily.
But soon he realised that domestic life wasnt his cup of tea. When Oliver turned one, James slipped back into his old habits. He disappeared for three days, leaving Emily frantic enough to ring every morgue and hospital in the county, as well as every of his mates.
Harry was there again, looking after Oliver while Emily tore the town apart looking for her husband. She even filed a police report before James finally shuffled back.
Emily screamed, sobbed, demanded answers.
I dont have to account to you, James snapped, strolling into the kitchen. Oliver wailed, but his dad barely heard; a hangover had him in a fog.
From that moment James stopped pretending. Hed come and go, and each time Emily took him back, hoping hed finally change.
When Oliver was three, James left for good. At first Emily thought hed just been out for a night, but when she collected him from nursery after work, the house was empty of his stuff.
While she tried to make sense of it, a message pinged on her phone:
Ill file for divorce myself, dont wait for me!
Emily was beside herself, screaming, feeling life was pointless. Harry dropped everything as soon as he heard the news, spending a full day with her and looking after Oliver, making sure she didnt do anything rash.
When Emily finally steadied herself, Harry made his move.
So, Ill be your husband now. And Olivers dad.
Emily looked at her old friend and shook her head.
Im sorry, but I dont love you like that. I love you as a friend and Im grateful for everything youve done, but as a man I just cant.
I know, Harry said flatly. But I love you more than a friend, and I wont let you suffer any longer
Harry could find no words. Emily was so shattered she could only nod. Let him stay.
Harry didnt back down. He stayed close, never forcing anything, constantly caring for Oliver, because he loved the lad like his own.
Emily watched Harry and realised there was no better option. No one would love her son as Harry did, no one would look after her as he did.
And she gave innot because she fell in love, but because she saw no other way out.
Harry was over the moon when Emily agreed to marry him. When Oliver first called him dad, Harry even teared up.
Everything went swimmingly. Their family was the envy of the neighbourhood. At times Harry fancied that Emily loved him as a man, not just a mate. Other times he feared James might turn up, that Emily would dump everything and run back to her wayward ex.
He lived between two flames: rejoicing in their happiness, then waking at night from nightmares.
One day the nightmare became reality. Oliver was turning six, and Emily and Harry threw him a spectacular party. Hed first bounced around a trampoline centre with his friends, then returned home to cake and presents.
Just as Oliver was about to blow out his candles, there was a knock at the door.
Someone else came to wish you happy birthday? Emily smiled.
Ill get it, Harry said.
He didnt peek through the peephole; he just opened the door, and a cold dread slithered into his chest. Standing there was James, clutching a strange plush rabbit.
He sneered at Harry.
Still hanging around? Wheres my son? Im here to wish him a happy birthday.
Whos there, Harry? Emily shouted from the kitchen, turning pale. Oliver rushed out, then froze.
Ah, hello, James said, grinning. Happy birthday, son!
Oliver looked first at James, then at Harry.
Dad, whos this? he asked Harry.
Jamess face darkened; he hadnt expected that.
Dad, then Oliver muttered.
Harry, get Oliver out of here, Emily said flatly.
Emily please
The look in Jamess eyes was the same old spell. Harry had always known this moment might come. One thing was certain: he would never give Oliver to him. He was Olivers father, not some fleeting mistake.
Harry played with Oliver in the living room, surrounded by gifts. Yet his mind wasnt on the toys; it lingered on the door, waiting for Emily to tell him it was time to leave, terrified of what would happen next.
Emily entered, hands shaking, a forced smile on her lips.
So, how are you both doing? she asked.
Were playing! Oliver replied. Did Uncle leave?
He left. We blew out the candles, but we havent touched the cake yet!
Right! the birthday boy shouted, dashing to the kitchen. Harry grabbed Emilys elbow, staring at her.
Whats the matter? Emily laughed nervously. Lets go before Oliver turns the cake into a dental disaster.
Emily she began.
She hugged Harry, then planted a quick kiss on his cheek.
He wont be coming back. Oliver doesnt need him; he already has a real dad.
And you?
Me? All I need is you.
Harry smiled, then led Emily into the kitchen.
Maybe the wild, reckless love of her youth never truly faded. Maybe a fragment still lingered in Emilys heart. Yet youthful folly had given way to wisdom, and Harrys steady affection finally melted the ice around her. Emily knew she was happier now than ever before. The passionate storm of her past was safely locked away, and it never really was anything good at all.
