A Vengeful Woman’s Retribution

**The Vengeance of a Scorned Woman**

Anthony Smith, a physics teacher at a rural school in Somerset, married for the second time. At forty-one, his new wife, Emily, was just thirtyyoung, beautiful, gentle, and kind-hearted, everything he had ever wanted.

His first marriage to Victoria had ended after nine years, leaving him with a daughter, Sophie, whom he adored. But after the divorce, Victoria moved back to her hometown and cut off all contact, never letting him see Sophie again.

“Anthony,” his close friend William, the local constable, had advised, “if youve left that drama behind, why not start fresh? Find someone new.”

“I would, but I havent met the right woman yet. There are plenty out there, but… Im just afraid of repeating the same mistake.”

Then Emily arrived in the villagea young nurse. Anthony spotted her by chance on his way home from school.

“Whos the newcomer?” he wondered, catching her eye as they passed. She greeted him first, and he returned the gesture.

“Will, whos that new woman in the village?” Anthony asked later, stopping by the constables office.

“Who? Oh! You must mean Emily. She started at the clinic three days ago. Old Mrs. Thompson retired, so she took over. Pretty, isnt she? Dont waste time, mate.”

It wasnt hard to get to know her. Two days later, he “accidentally” ran into her after her shift.

“Hello, Im Anthonyphysics teacher at the school. And, for the record, single,” he grinned. “Youre the new nurse, then. What about *your* marital status?”

She raised an eyebrow. “Is that really any of your business?”

“It is. More than you know.”

Soon enough, they were dating, and before long, they had a small wedding at the village pub.

Emily had been married before, but only brieflyjust a year. She thanked God she hadnt gotten pregnant. Her ex-husband had turned out to be a drunkard, constantly badgering her for money. Shed fled quietly from her town to start fresh here.

On the first of September, after the school assembly, the teachers always celebrated the start of term with drinks.

“Emily, love, Ill be late tonightyou know how it is. Cant skip out on the team.”

“Fine. But dont come home smelling of another womans perfume again.”

“Come on, it was just Miss Hendersons coat hanging over mine!” That was when he realized how jealous she could be.

The evening was lively, slightly chilly, full of toasts and laughter. Anthony was in high spiritsexcept for Miss Henderson, who kept shooting him melancholy glances. A woman in her forties, never married, shed once hoped to win him over. But then Emily came along.

Tipsy, Anthony stumbled home late. The house was dark.

“Emily?” he called cheerfully, hanging his jacket in the hall. “Safe and sound!”

He wandered into the living roomstill darkthen assumed she was reading in bed.

“There you are,” he chuckled, finding her sitting under the lamplight, book in hand. “Great night. Had a few, but not too many!”

Emily looked up, her eyes cold and empty.

“Love, whats wrong?” he asked, suddenly sober. “Usually, youre all smiles. Worried I drank too much? Just a little, for funits a special night!”

She nodded stiffly toward the living room.

“Theres a letter for you on the table. Read it.”

Puzzled, he picked up the opened envelope. The elegant handwriting was unmistakableno return address.

*”Dear Anthony, I had to write. You know who this isI was your first love. I wouldnt have reached out, but Im expecting your child. What you do next is your choice. I know youre married now…”*

Anthony was stunned. He wracked his brainwhen could this have happened? It had to be a joke. He was a devoted husband!

“Emily, you cant believe this,” he pleaded, suddenly clear-headed. “Its someone playing games. You *know* how much I love you.”

She turned away, silent. She *wanted* to believe him, but the letter had shaken her. Shed opened it thinking, *We have no secrets.*

He argued, swore his love, but she wouldnt listen. Defeated, he fell silent, hoping morning would bring clarity. He moved to lie down, but she stopped him.

“Sleep in the living room.”

The next day, after school, Anthony showed the letter to William.

“Are you having me on?” William scratched his head. “How am I supposed to trace handwriting? No crime herejust a bitter love note.”

“*My marriage is falling apart!* Emily wont believe me!”

“Should I interrogate the whole village? Might not even be from here…”

Emily wouldnt speak to him, and his mood sank so low even his colleagues noticedexcept Miss Henderson, who hovered near him.

*What if its her?* It struck him. *Shes always fancied me.* He snatched the school register, flipping to her subject pagesurely the handwriting would match.

But no. Her scrawl was jagged, nothing like the elegant script in the letter. Frustrated, he slammed the book shut.

At home, silence. He found Emily in the bedroom, eyes red.

“Tell me, Anthonywhat did I do wrong? Why would you do this to me?”

“Youre perfect. Id never betray you.”

“If you cheated, Im *not* perfect. I want a divorce.”

She wasnt hystericaljust heartbroken. Calm, wise beyond her years.

“Ill stay at the clinic tonight. Then well see.”

He couldnt stop her. She left.

Two days later, collecting post at the village office, Anthony spotted a familiar hand on another letterthis one addressed to London. The return address: *Maple Lane, Oakwood, Lydia Hughes.*

*Oakwoods the next village over.* He memorised the house number and sped off.

Parking outside number seven, he waited. At sunset, a heavily pregnant woman stepped out.

*Lydia?*

Years ago, shed been his studenteight years younger, infatuated. Shed stalked him, spread rumours, then vanished.

“Lydia,” he called, striding over.

“Anthony?” She paled.

“Congratulations on the baby. But its not mine. Why send that letter? You nearly destroyed my marriage!”

“I *was* happy,” she sneered. “But you hurt me. Now you hurt too.”

“Fine. Then Ill show your husband *your* letter.”

“No! PleaseIm pregnant, I cant stressIll tell your wife the truth!”

“Youd better. Or I swear, Ill ruin you.”

The next evening, as rain pattered outside, their front door creaked open.

“Anthony, help me with my bag? The neighbour carried it this far, but I shouldnt lift heavy things now.”

She smiled*his* Emily. He swept her into his arms, relief flooding him.

Outside, autumn gloom loomed. But inside, their home was warm, bright, and full of joy. Happier than everbecause soon, their family would grow.