This Will Be a Whole New Life

Emily never imagined, at twenty years old, what life had in store for her. She was studying at university, deeply in love with Daniel, and dreaming of their weddingconversations about it had already begun.

Daniel was older than Emily. Hed finished his military service before attending their old schools autumn ball, where she was still a final-year student. She would always remember the first time she saw him. Though theyd grown up in the same town, even attended the same school, hed graduated years before.

*Who is that gorgeous man?* The thought flashed through Emilys mind as she watched him enter the hall.

He scanned the room, searching for familiar faces, then locked eyes with her and smiled. She fell for him instantly. How could she not? He was extraordinaryunlike any other boy shed ever met.

“Hi, I’m Daniel,” he said, approaching her. “And you are?” She blushed, her cheeks turning pink as he took her hand. “Dance with me.” His arm slipped around her waist, and they spun across the floor.

“Emily”

She barely felt her feet touch the ground. He led with such confidence, his movements smooth and assured, and she swayed with him as if they were one.

“Emily,” he murmured, grinning. “Youre a natural.”

He stayed by her side all evening. By the end, theyd already agreed he would walk her home. They lingered under the streetlights, neither wanting to part, but she knew her mother would worry.

Daniel never let life grow dull. After school, Emily enrolled at the local university while he worked. He had a way of lifting everyones spiritshis energy was infectious, his laughter constant. He had many friends, and soon, she was part of his world, attending weddings, gatherings, and weekend trips.

Even in the dead of winter, he brought her roses. Every date felt like a celebrationcoffee shops, countryside drives, picnics with friends.

During her third year, he surprised her.

“Ive booked us a ski trip over Christmas,” he announced. “Ill teach you. The instructors there are brilliantyoull pick it up fast.”

“Oh, Daniel, youre amazing!” She threw her arms around his neck, then pulled back, giggling. “WaitIm terrified of heights! Didnt you know?”

The trip was unforgettable. She learned quickly, falling in love with the rush of the slopes, dreading the day theyd have to leave.

Then came March. Daniel arrived at her doorstep with two bouquets.

“Happy Womens Day,” he said, handing one to her mother and the other to Emily. “For you, my beautiful girl.” He kissed her cheek, and her heart swelled at the sight of the crimson blooms.

“Daniel, you shouldnt spend so much,” her mother chided.

“Its worth it. Besides, Jake and Liam are heading up north for worktheyve asked me along. Theyre laying high-voltage lines. The pays excellent. Ill save up for our wedding, maybe even a car.”

Emilys stomach dropped. “I dont want you to go.”

“Its just three, maybe four months. Well call every day. I want to give you the wedding you deserve.”

“I dont need anything grand. I just need *you*,” she said softly.

But his mind was made up.

He left with his friends. The pay *was* good. They spoke often.

Then, one afternoon, sitting in a lecture hall, a sudden unease gripped herthen faded. Theyd spoken the night before; she wasnt expecting a call. But by evening, her pulse wouldnt settle. She dialed his number herselfunusual, since he always called first. Silence. Her heart hammered, a dull ache spreading through her temples.

*Why isnt he answering?* She tried five times. Nothing.

Panicked, she called Liam. He picked up on the third ring.

“Liam, wheres Daniel?”

A pause. Then, his voice, hollow: “Hes gone, Emily.”

“What do you mean, *gone*?” The line went dead.

“Mum!” she screamed, collapsing into sobs.

The days that followed were a blur. A nightmare. She learned laterDaniel had been electrocuted on the job. His mother, Margaret, withered by grief, barely spoke. She waited for Daniels father and younger brother, Oliver, to bring him home.

The funeral passed in a haze of black clothes and endless condolences. Grief swallowed her whole.

For weeks, Emily moved like a ghost. She visited Margaret, sitting in heavy silence or driving to the cemetery together.

Oddly, Margaret clung to her, begging her to stay close, especially once summer break began. They visited churches, drank tea, and then

“Emily, lets go to the seaside,” Margaret said suddenly.

She agreed, though she didnt know why. Daniel was gone. Yet Margaret refused to let her go. Even her own mother urged her to move on.

They went anyway.

Mornings were spent on the beach, afternoons in their rented room. Margaret napped; Emily scrolled through her phone, restless.

One day, she slipped out alone. The pier was crowdedchildren laughing, seagulls screeching, waves crashing. Life teemed around her, yet loneliness gnawed at her bones.

“Youre beautiful. But so sad.”

A mans voice. She turned, ready to snapthen froze. Something about him reminded her of Daniel.

“Beautiful people arent meant to be happy,” she murmured.

“I disagree,” he said. “Im George.”

“Emily.”

They exchanged a few words before she walked away. But George watched her go. Hed noticed her days agoalways solemn, never smiling.

Two days before she left, she bumped into him outside a shop. He took her bags before she could protest.

“Let me help. Please?” He nodded toward a nearby café. “Talk to me. I have questions.”

She sat.

“I leave in three days,” he said. “How long are you staying?”

“We leave tomorrow night.”

His eyes lit up. “Where do you live?” She named her city. He stared.

“Thats where *I* live.”

They exchanged numbers. Hed graduated from her university, worked at the city councils design bureau. Singlehis last relationship had ended badly.

She told him about Daniel. About Margaret.

“Why does she keep you so close?” he asked. “Most parents pull away after”

“I dont know.”

That evening, Margaret glared when she returned. “Where were you?”

“Out.”

Emily was growing weary. Maybe she couldnt bear being near Daniels family anymore. Her mother had warned her*Let go. Shes suffocating you.*

But kindness kept her trapped.

Then, as they packed, Margaret said quietly, “Youll move on. Youre young. But youre family to me. I thought I thought you might be carrying his child. Or that you and Oliver”

Emily recoiled. “*What?*”

She sobbedthe first time since the funeral. The weight lifted.

At home, she avoided Margaret. She met George often.

One day, she visited Daniels grave alone.

“Goodbye,” she whispered. “You gave me happiness. But I have to live now.”

She walked to the car, where George waited.

A new life had begun.