Journey to Happiness: A Fresh Start for Two Lovers

The Journey to Happiness: A Fresh Start for Two Lovers

Emily was travelling to meet the man she lovedmore like flying on the wings of joy. Finally, her son had finished school and got into uni. Now, she and her husband could live together after all those years of waiting.

The day she sent her son off, she bought a bus ticket and headed straight to John. Theyd only been married two years, but it felt like theyd known each other forever.

Their relationship hadnt been easy. Theyd started off rough, gone through loads, but fate had promised them a future together. At least, Emily was sure of that.

Theyd met eight years ago. Back then, shed just healed from her divorce with her first husband and wouldnt let anyone close. Until she met John. Even with him, shed been hesitant at first. Hed had to work hard to convince her he wasnt like her ex, David.

They dated for six months, then decided to move in together. John came to live with her because his tiny flat wouldnt fit the whole family. Emily had a ten-year-old sona good kid, but he didnt click straight away with his stepdad.

After three years together, John started talking about marriage, but Emily wasnt keen.

She didnt see the point in paperwork. It didnt protect you from betrayal, whether you were a man or a woman.

She was happy as things wereno changes needed.

John had accepted her view at first, but then realised it wasnt enough for him. He wanted Emily as his wife in every sense. He even gave her an ultimatum: marry him or split up.

Emily hated the pressure and decided it was better to walk away. So they didfor six months.

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

She was strolling through the park, looking like life was treating her well. So happy, so carefreeuntil her eyes met his.

In that glance, he saw exactly what he felt in his 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, sometimes hed come to her. Every meet-up was planned carefully, but each one was full of warmth and passion.

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

Emily wouldve loved to, but she couldnt uproot her life just yet. Her son was a teenagerhe needed her. And her mum was poorly, needing care. For over two years, Emily had worked hard to get her back on her feet, and finally, her mum had improved.

“Youve got years left!” the doctor had cheered when discharging her.

Margaret hadnt held her daughter back, but Alex was starting his A-levels. He didnt want to switch schools and begged his mum to wait till he finished. Shed had to compromise.

The summer before Alexs final year, Emily and John finally tied the knot. Seeing how happy it made her husband, she wished shed said yes soonerbut what was the use crying over spilled milk?

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

And now, Alex had got into uni. Emily was proud of her boy and realised she could finally sort out her own life. She hadnt told John she was moving inshe wanted to surprise him.

Hed guessed it was coming, but didnt know exactly when.

Emily packed her suitcase, hopped on the bus, and headed to him. She wanted this day etched in his memory forever. She could already picture itwearing lace lingerie, scattering rose petals on the fresh bedsheets, cooking a lovely dinner, waiting for her man to come home from work.

Shed dreamed up every detail on the bus ride. She was sure John would be thrilled by her surprisebut instead, the surprise was waiting for her.

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

“Who are you?” Emily asked.

“Im Ruby. Oh, you must be Emily. Sorry, Ill leave right now!”

“Leave? What dyou mean? Who *are* you?” Emily snapped.

“Please dont be mad. Im your husbands girlfriend!”

“*What?* His girlfriend?”

Emily shut the door quietly, leaving behind everything shed thought was hers, determined to carve out a new pathalone.