Back Home—No Husband, No Trace of Him Left

**Diary Entry**

I came home to find neither my husband nor any of his things.

Why are you looking at me like that? Zoe smirked. Stan just wanted to prove hes a real catch. Thats all.

What are you talking about?

The honest truth, love, his ex-wife drawled.

I dont understand Emilys voice faltered.

Ah! Heres Stan nowhell explain everything, Zoe nodded toward the door.

Mum had raised Emily like a delicate flower.

Anna herself was a tough woman, running her own timber yard with an iron fist. But with her only daughter, she softenedher voice gentle, her eyes warm.

So Emily grew up sheltered, trusting, unaware of hardship. She went to a regular school and music lessons, learning the piano with joy. She never became a virtuoso, but she made a fine teacher.

All she needed was a good marriage, and soon enough, a charming bloke named David came along. He courted her sweetly, spending his modest drivers wages on her.

Such pretty words, such tender looksyet Mum disliked him instantly.

A layabout and a fool! was her verdict.

Mum, but I love him, Emilys blue eyes welled up.

Fine, fine, Mum relented. But youll live with me!

Their spacious three-bed flat had room enough, and David didnt mind his mother-in-law, who was always at work. He had nothing to his name anyway.

Soon after the wedding, the caring facade crumbled. David drank, vanished for hours, snapped at Emily. Around Mum, he barely kept up pretenses.

Emily refused to see his flaws. Nine months later, she had little Leo, believing they were a proper family. But the boy was sickly, demanding, and Davids temper worsened.

She endured, hoping.

Then Mum died suddenly, having known her grandson for only a year.

The funeral was handled by Mums old friend, Geoffrey. David vanished for days, only to return and find his bags packed in the hall.

He threatened lawsuits, division of assets. Emily stayed silent.

Thank God for Geoffreyhe tossed David out and ensured no property was lost.

Emily never saw him again.

She couldnt run the timber yard, so Geoffrey hired managers. Money wasnt an issue.

But grief and loneliness nearly broke her. No friends, no familyjust Leo, who needed her. She focused on him, swearing off men (Geoffrey didnt count).

One rainy day, she and five-year-old Leo left the clinic, huddled under an umbrella. Taxis were scarce, so they braved the downpour.

Hop in! A car stopped abruptly. The drivera familiar face from the clinicflung the door open. Quick, before I get a ticket!

Emily didnt hesitate. She recognised himanother dad with a son Leos age.

Thanks! she said afterward.

Anytime! Stan grinned. Give us your number?

She stiffened. Sorry, I dont see married men. And she hurried inside.

Yet the next day, Stan waited in the courtyard.

Im divorced, he said, handing her the papers.

Was she tired of loneliness? Was Stan too charming? Did Leo adore him instantly?

She couldnt explain why she let him join their walk, then stay for dinner.

Soon, they met daily. She fell for himhard.

So when he proposed a month later, it felt right. He loved her. He adored Leo, who called him Dad before the wedding.

Stan even adopted Leo. Always wanted two sons, he said, then darkened. His ex-wife, now with a wealthy bloke, barred him from seeing his own boy.

Three months after meeting, they were a family.

Only one secret remained: Emilys finances. The timber yards profitssplit three ways with partnerswere tucked away for Leos future.

Geoffrey had warned her: never reveal it.

Stan never asked.

But the idyll didnt last.

Stan grew distant, irritable. Works a nightmare, hed mutter.

Cant you transfer? she asked. Youre a brilliant electrician.

Ill sort it.

Soon, he stopped explainingjust scowled, snapped. Leo annoyed him now.

Then, clarity came.

They were in the park when a woman in a bright orange coat sat beside her.

Shouldnt have let him adopt, she said. Poor kidll suffer.

Emily turned. Do I know you?

No. Im Zoe. Stans ex-wife. Temporarily ex.

Stan approached, tense.

Explain it to her, Zoe said, ruffling his hair before leaving. Well wait.

Stan exhaled. I married you to spite her. She kept saying no one else would have me. Then she flaunted her rich bloke, so I divorced her.

Why adopt Leo?

To seal it. New wife, new soneverything perfect.

As your pawn?

He didnt deny it.

What now?

Dunno. Ive sort of grown fond of you.

He chose quickly. That night, he didnt come home. By morning, his things were gone.

Emily sighed and dialed Geoffrey. Again, she needed a solicitor.

**Lesson:** Not every knight in shining armour is here to rescue yousome just like the costume.