Returned Home to Find My Husband and All His Belongings Gone

She came home to find no husband and none of his things.

“Well, dont look at me like that,” Zoe chuckled. “Stanley just wanted to prove hes a real catch, thats all.”

“What are you talking about?”

“The honest truth, love,” drawled Stanleys ex-wife.

“I dont understand” Emily faltered.

“Oh! Speak of the devilheres Stanley now. Hell explain,” Zoe nodded toward the door.

Emilys mother, Margaret, had raised her like a delicate flower.

Margaret herself was a stern woman who ran her own timber yard with an iron fist. But with her only daughter, she softenedher voice gentle, her eyes full of warmth.

And so Emily grew up tender, fragile, trusting.

Shed never known hardshipjust a normal school, piano lessons, and a happy childhood.

She wasnt destined to be a concert pianist, but she became a lovely music teacher.

All that was left was to marry welland along came charming Vincent.

He courted her beautifully, spending his modest bus drivers salary on flowers and sweet words.

He gazed into her eyes, whispered promises

But her mother disliked him instantly.

“Lazy good-for-nothing!” Margaret declared.

“Mum, but I love him,” Emilys blue eyes filled with tears.

“Fine, fine,” her mother relented. “But youll live with me!”

Their spacious three-bedroom flat had room for everyone, and Vincent didnt object to living with his mother-in-law, who was rarely home anyway.

He had nothing to his name.

The caring, doting Vincent soon revealed his true coloursdrinking, staying out late, snapping at Emily.

Around Margaret, he behavedbarely.

Emily refused to see his flaws.

Exactly nine months after the wedding, she gave birth to little Leo, convinced they were a proper family.

But Leo was sickly, needing constant attention, and Vincent grew more irritable.

She endured, hoping for the best.

Her patience ran out when her mother suddenly passed away, just a year after meeting her grandson.

The funeral was handled by Margarets old friend, Geoffrey.

Vincent didnt show up at alland when he finally did, his bags were waiting in the hall.

He ranted about lawyers and splitting assets.

Emily said nothing.

Thank goodness for Geoffreyhe practically threw Vincent out.

A seasoned solicitor, he made sure no property was divided.

Emily and Leo never saw Vincent again.

Of course, Emily couldnt run the timber yardGeoffrey hired professionals instead.

So their little family never wanted for anything.

Losing her mother and divorcing so soon was hardEmily had no friends, no relatives.

But she had Leo, who needed herso she poured everything into him.

Men? Out of the question. (Geoffrey didnt count.)

One rainy day, she and five-year-old Leo left the clinic, huddling under an umbrella.

Waiting out the storm inside was pointlessit wasnt letting up. No car, no taxis available.

They risked a dash.

“Hop in!” A car screeched to a halt beside them, the driver flinging the door open. “Quick, before I get a ticket!”

Somehow, it didnt strike Emily as dangerous. She recognised himtheyd crossed paths at the clinic, where he brought his son, around Leos age.

“Thank you!” she gushed after the ride (theyd exchanged namesStanley, of course).

“My pleasure!” He grinned. “Now, how about your number?”

She stiffened.

“Sorry, I dont date married men.” Ignoring his protests, she whisked Leo inside.

She didnt expect to see him again so soonbut the next day, Stanley was waiting in the courtyard.

“Im divorced,” he blurted, thrusting the papers at her. Finalised a month ago.

Was she lonely? Was Stanley too charming? Did Leo adore him instantly?

Later, she couldnt explain why she agreed to let him join their walkor stay for dinner.

After that, they were inseparable. She fell hard.

So hard, she wasnt even surprised when he proposed a month later.

Of course. He loved her. He adored Leo.

Leos approval sealed ithed started calling Stanley “Dad” before the wedding.

“Dad” didnt mind. She was overjoyed.

Naturally, after marrying, Stanley suggested adoption.

“Always wanted two sons,” he said, then darkened.

Emily squeezed his shoulder. She knew his ex-wife, now with a wealthy new man, kept his son from him.

Thats how, just three months after meeting, they became a proper family.

The one thing Emily kept from Stanley? Her finances.

The timber yard, though modest, brought in decent moneysplit three ways (per the new partners agreement).

She saved it for Leos future.

No need for Stanley to know.

Geoffrey had taught her thatbefore retiring to the seaside.

If Stanley suspected, he never let on.

But the idyll lasted less than a year.

Stanley grew distant, coming home sullen and snappish.

“Just work stress,” hed mutter.

“Cant you transfer?” shed ask. “Youre a brilliant electrician.”

“Ill handle it.”

Soon, he stopped explainingjust glowered or snapped.

Leo annoyed him now, though he never lashed out.

Emily was baffleduntil clarity arrived.

That day, she and Leo strolled in the park. Stanley was late but promised to join them for ice cream.

“Big mistake, adopting that boy,” a womans mocking voice cut in.

Emily turned. A striking brunette in a bright orange coat perched beside her.

“Do I know you?”

“Not yet. Im Zoe. Stanleys ex-wife. Temporarily ex.”

Emily gaped. Thank goodness Leo was playing far off.

“Dont look so shocked. He just married you to prove hes a catch. Simple.”

“Excuse me?”

“Truth, sweetheart. Hell be back with me soon.”

Stanley appeared, panic flashing as he spotted them.

“Stanley, explain,” Zoe said, ruffling his hair before sauntering off. “Well be waiting.”

“What did she say?” Emily demanded.

He sighed. “Fine. I married you to spite her. She kept saying no one else would want me. Then she flaunted her rich bloke. I snapped, divorced her.”

“Why adopt Leo?”

“To sell it. New wife, new sonpicture-perfect.”

“So I was just convenient?”

Silence.

“What now?”

“Dunno,” he muttered. “I kinda got used to you.”

He figured it out quickly. Didnt come home.

Next morning, Emily returned from dropping Leo at nurseryto an empty flat, stripped of Stanleys things.

She sighed, dialling Geoffrey. She needed a solicitor again.