Journey to Happiness: A Fresh Start for Two Lovers

The Journey to Happiness: A Fresh Start for Two Lovers

Emily was practically floating on air as she traveled to meet the man she loved. At long last, her son had finished secondary school and been accepted into university. Now, after years of waiting, she and her husband could finally live together.

The very day she sent her son off to uni, she bought a coach ticket and set off to see John. Theyd only been married for two years, but it felt like theyd known each other forever.

Their relationship hadnt been easy. Theyd had a rocky start, weathered plenty of storms, but fate had promised them a future togetheror at least, Emily was sure of it.

Theyd met eight years ago. Back then, she was just healing from her divorce with her first husband and wouldnt let anyone closeuntil John came along. Even with him, shed been hesitant at first. Hed had to work hard to convince her he wasnt like her ex, William.

Six months of dating later, they decided to move in together. John had come to live with her because his tiny flat wouldnt have fit them all. Emily had a ten-year-old sona good lad, but one who hadnt immediately warmed to his stepdad.

Three years into living together, John started talking about marriage, but Emily wasnt keen. To her, those papers didnt mean much. Besides, they didnt protect anyone from betrayal, whether you were a man or a woman. She was happy as things wereshe didnt want things to change.

John had accepted her view at first, but eventually, he realised it wasnt enough for him. He wanted Emily to be his wife in every sense. He gave her an ultimatum: marry him, or theyd have to part ways.

Emily hadnt liked his insistence and decided it was better to split. So they didfor six months.

During that time, John moved to another city where a mate had offered him a well-paid job. He only came back every couple of months to visit his parents. And on one of those trips, he ran into Emily again.

She was strolling through the park, looking like life was treating her wellhappy, carefreeuntil their eyes met. In her gaze, he saw exactly what he felt in his own heart. She still loved him. And she couldnt hide it.

They got back together, but this time, it was long-distance. Sometimes shed visit him, other times hed come to her. Every meet-up was carefully planned, but each one was full of warmth and passion.

They usually saw each other once a month, sometimes twice. John had asked her countless times to move in with him. Hed managed to buy a two-bed flat in his city, though he was still paying off the mortgage.

Emily wouldve loved nothing more, but she couldnt uproot her life just yet. Her son was a teenager who needed her, and her mum was ill, needing care. For over two years, Emily had worked tirelessly to get her back on her feet, but finally, her mum had improved.

Youll live a good while yet! the doctor had cheerfully said when discharging her.

Margaret hadnt kept her daughter tied down for long, but Alex was starting his GCSEs. He didnt want to switch schools and begged his mum to wait until he finished. Shed had to compromise.

The summer before Alexs A-levels, Emily and John finally tied the knot. Seeing how much joy it brought him, shed regretted not saying yes soonerbut what was the point in crying over spilled milk?

Now, they werent just meeting uptheir relationship couldve been called a weekend marriage, if not for the hundreds of miles between them.

And now, Alex had been accepted into uni. Emily was bursting with pride for her sonand she knew it was time to finally sort out her own life. She hadnt told John she was moving in; she wanted to surprise him.

Hed suspected it might happen, but he didnt know exactly when.

Emily packed her bags, boarded the coach, and set off to him. She wanted this day to stay etched in his memory forever. She could already picture itslipping into lace lingerie, scattering rose petals on the freshly made bed, preparing a delicious dinner, waiting for her love to come home from work.

Shed daydreamed about every little detail on the coach ride. She was certain John would be over the moonbut instead, the surprise was waiting for *her*.

She unlocked his flat door with her keyand froze in shock. A pair of bright blue eyes stared right back at hera stunning young woman with fiery red hair.

Who are you? Emily demanded.

Im Ruby. Ohyou must be Emily. Sorry, Ill get out of your way!

What do you mean, get out? Who *are* you? Emily snapped.

Please dont be cross. Im your husbands girlfriend.

What? His *girlfriend*?

Without another word, Emily shut the door quietly behind her, leaving behind everything shed thought was hersdetermined to carve out a new path, alone.