**A Second Chance at Life**
Emma always called them “her girls,” and when her daughter was little, he’d jump out of bed at night to soothe her, sparing his wife the exhaustion. Olivia grew up surrounded by the love and care of both her parents.
Their family life was happy.
William’s business flourished, and financially, they wanted for nothing. He didn’t want Emma to work, and she happily stayed home with Olivia, taking her shopping, strolling through Hyde Park, and tending to their household.
Everything was perfect—except for the occasional unsettling phone calls. “Well-wishers” whispered:
*”Your husband has another woman. He’s rented her a flat and spoils her rotten.”*
Emma tried to ignore them, brushing it off as jealousy—something that had always existed. She never mentioned it to William. Sure, he sometimes worked late or went away for a couple of days on business, but when he returned, his love for her and Olivia was undeniable. Emma pushed the doubts away.
Then everything shattered.
Years passed. When Olivia turned sixteen, their world collapsed overnight. William died in a car crash—his vehicle skidded on black ice and veered into oncoming traffic. The worst revelation? He hadn’t been on a business trip, as he’d claimed, but visiting his mistress in a nearby town. Both died in the crash. The betrayal turned Emma’s world upside down.
*”So those callers were right all along. How do I accept that William led a double life? He lied. He cheated. And I never doubted him for a second.”*
The knowledge haunted her, made worse by the pitying looks from his mistress’s colleagues—everyone had known except her. No one saw the storm inside her.
When the solicitor read William’s will, it left everything to Emma—the business, their London flat, the countryside house, their savings. There was also a separate account, a substantial sum for Olivia’s education abroad.
Yet none of it brought Emma joy. She couldn’t bear to think about the business or the money. She didn’t even want to live. The world felt grey and hollow.
Worse still was her daughter’s behaviour. Olivia became impossible—demanding, entitled.
*”Mum, I need a new phone,”* Olivia snapped. *”And don’t tell me this one’s still fine.”*
*”But darling, you have the latest iPhone. Why do you need another?”*
*”Never—do you hear me?—never say no to me!”* Olivia shouted. *”Dad never hesitated. But now you’ve taken his business, his money, and you’re hoarding it all!”* She hurled her nearly-new phone against the wall and locked herself in her room.
Emma sank onto the sofa, exhausted. *”Why is she so cruel? So ungrateful?”*
For nearly a year, Emma barely functioned. Then, one night, William appeared in her dream—smiling but silent. When she woke, something shifted. She wanted to live differently.
*”I won’t sit here grieving a man who betrayed me. We graduated from the same university—I can run this business. It’s time to pull myself together.”*
She arrived at the office in a sharp suit, her hair stylishly cut. The staff stared—some impressed, others doubtful. Whispers followed:
*”Emma’s going to prove herself… Or fail miserably… No, she’s tougher than any man.”*
The chatter died quickly. Emma took charge, meeting partners old and new. The business thrived.
The only one who didn’t believe in her? Olivia.
*”Mum, you and business don’t mix. You’ve lived off Dad your whole life. Sell it before you ruin everything,”* she sneered. *”That suit and haircut won’t make you younger. Or are you hoping some man will fancy a wealthy widow?”*
Emma refused to argue. *”Olivia, I’ll live as I choose. Focus on your exams.”*
Time passed. Olivia left for university abroad. Emma threw herself into work, relishing the challenge. The business grew, contracts piled up.
She and Olivia spoke by phone, though the girl remained sharp-tongued.
One day, Emma decided to renovate the countryside house.
*”Once Olivia graduates, she might return. We can’t live together—not like this.”*
She asked her deputy, James, to find a reliable construction crew.
*”I’ve found a good team,”* James said later. *”Their foreman is Max. Excellent reviews.”*
Emma called Max, and soon they stood in the house discussing plans—a new fireplace, lighter interiors, underfloor heating.
*”I’ll send sketches soon,”* Max promised.
On her way back to London, Emma stopped at a café. A man caught her eye—familiar, but she couldn’t place him.
*”Emma! Hello!”* He stood, and recognition hit her—Daniel, an old schoolmate who’d once fancied her.
They chatted warmly. He’d built a successful car dealership, divorced two years ago.
*”And you? Where’s William?”*
*”Gone,”* she said softly. *”I run the business now.”*
*”I’m sorry. Though I won’t lie—I was gutted when you chose him.”*
That evening, Daniel called. *”Let’s have dinner.”*
She agreed, blushing at her own boldness.
He arrived with snowdrops. *”Saw them at a petrol station. Remember picking them as kids?”*
Dinner led to coffee at his place. Then—
She woke to the smell of fresh coffee, half-convinced it was a dream. But there he was, tray in hand.
*”Thank you,”* she murmured.
*”No, thank *you*,”* he said. *”I’m not letting you go again.”*
*”But Olivia—”*
*”Emma, you’re brilliant. Your life, your rules.”*
Happiness followed. Contracts flowed. Daniel proposed, but she hesitated—Olivia’s reaction worried her.
*”Fine, I’ll come,”* Olivia said when invited to the wedding.
The meeting was civil, if cold.
At the renovated house, Olivia eyed the master bedroom—soft hues, sheer blue curtains, a vast white bed.
*”Nice,”* she said, then smirked at Daniel. *”I wouldn’t say no to a man in that bed.”*
Emma pretended not to hear. A call from the office distracted her.
Later, Olivia announced, *”I’m staying abroad after graduation. Send money. This place holds nothing for me.”*
Emma and Daniel live in the countryside now, both running their businesses, both in love. Emma refuses to give up her work—life’s too short.
And for the first time in years, she’s truly happy.
