The Vengeance of a Scorned Woman

**The Revenge of a Scorned Woman**

Anthony Smith, a physics teacher at a rural school in Cornwall, had just married for the second time. At forty-one, he considered himself luckyhis new wife, Emily, was only thirty. Young, beautiful, gentle, and kind, she had stolen his heart the moment they met.

His first marriage to Victoria had ended after nine years, leaving him with a daughter, Sophie, whom he adored. But after the divorce, Victoria had moved back to her hometown, cutting off all contact and refusing to let him see Sophie.

“Anthony, mate, youve ditched the drama queentime to move on!” advised his best friend, PC Daniel “Danny” Harris, the local bobby.

“I should, but I havent met anyone who really clicks, you know? Plenty of fish in the sea, but I dont fancy another disaster.”

Then Emily arriveda fresh-faced nurse assigned to the village clinic. Anthony spotted her one evening on his way home from school.

“Blimey, whos this then?” he thought, giving her a polite nod as she greeted him first.

Later, he swung by Dannys office. “Oi, whos the new lass in town? Blonde, proper fit, looks like she means business?”

“Whooh! You mean Emily? Started at the clinic three days ago. Old Nurse Wilkins retired, didnt she? Go on then, dont dawdlestrike while the irons hot!” Danny chuckled.

Anthony didnt waste time. Two days later, he “accidentally” bumped into her after work.

“Hello, Im Anthonyphysics teacher, currently unattached,” he grinned. “Youre the new nurse, right? So single, then?”

“Hello. And why does my relationship status matter so much?” she asked, eyebrows raised.

“Immensely. More than youd think.”

They started dating, and soon a modest wedding was held at the village pub.

Emily had been married once beforebriefly. Thank heavens no kids were involved. Her ex had turned out to be a waster, always skiving off work and pestering her for beer money. So shed packed up and left Bristol without a word, landing in this quiet Cornish village.

On the first day of term, tradition dictated that the teachers celebrated after the assembly.

“Emily, love, Ill be late tonightstaff do, you know how it is. Cant let the team down.”

“Fine. Just dont come home reeking of someone elses perfume again.”

“Come off it! That was just Miss Pembroke draping her cardigan over mine!” He laughed it off, but the penny droppedhis wife had a jealous streak.

The evening was a riotcool breeze, good cheer, and toasts to promotions, grandkids, and everything in between. Anthony was in high spirits, though Miss Pembrokethe schools resident spinsterkept shooting him mournful looks. Shed fancied her chances with him before Emily came along.

Tipsy but upright, Anthony stumbled home late. The house was dark.

“Emily?” he called, hanging his jacket. “Home in one piece!”

No answer. He found her in the bedroom, curled up under the lamplight with a book.

“There you are! Had a cracking nightjust a few pints, mind. Proper celebration!” He flashed his most charming grin.

Emily looked upher eyes cold, blank.

“Em? Whats wrong? Normally youre all smilesworried Ive overdone it? Hardly touched a drop!” He chuckled nervously.

She jerked her chin toward the living room. “Letter on the table. Read it.”

Heart sinking, Anthony picked up the opened envelope. The handwriting was elegant, no return address.

*Dear Anthony,*
*I thought you ought to know. Youll recognise who wrote thisI was your first love. I wouldnt have contacted you, but Im expecting your child. What happens next is your call. Youre married nowI know.*

Anthonys head spun. He wracked his brainhad he ever? No. Impossible. He was a devoted husband! Someone was playing a cruel joke.

“Emily, you dont believe this?” He was stone-cold sober now. “Its rubbish! You know Id never”

She turned away, silent. Shed opened the letter thinking, *Weve no secrets*, but now doubt gnawed at her.

He pleaded, swore, reasonedbut Emily didnt budge. Finally, defeated, he gave up.

“Sleep in the lounge,” she said flatly.

The next day, Anthony showed Danny the letter.

“You having a laugh? Howm I sposed to trace handwriting? No crime herejust a daft love note!”

“Danny, my marriage is crumbling! Emily wont even look at me.”

“You want me to interrogate the whole village? Might not even be from here!”

Anthony left in a huff. At school, his gloom was palpable. Only Miss Pembroke hovered near him.

*Waitcould it be her?* He snatched up the staff register, flipping to her markingbut her scrawl was a mess, nothing like the letters neat script.

That evening, Emilys eyes were red-raw.

“Tell me, Anthonywhat did I do wrong?”

“Nothing! Youre perfect!”

“Then why cheat? Im filing for divorce.”

She wasnt hystericaljust quietly shattered. By morning, shed packed her things and moved into the clinic.

Two days later, collecting post at the village office, Anthony spotted an envelope with the same handwriting. The address was for Leedsbut the sender? *Lydia Hughes, 7 Willow Lane, Penzance.*

*Penzance? Thats the next village over!*

He tore off in his car. Outside No. 7, he waited. At sunset, a heavily pregnant woman emerged.

*Bloody hellLydia Price!*

Years ago, Lydiaonce his studenthad dogged him with declarations of love. Gossip had swirled until she vanished. Now here she was, married and expecting.

“Lydia,” he said, stepping out.

She startled. “Anthony?”

“Congrats on the babyclearly not mine. Why the letter? Youve wrecked my marriage!”

She smirked. “You made me suffer. Now you will too.”

“Right. Then Ill show your husband this letterlet him read your little confession.”

Her face fell. “No! PleaseIm pregnant, I cant handle stress! Ill tell Emily the truth, I swear!”

“Do it. Or Ill make sure he knows *everything*.”

The next evening, his front door creaked open.

“Anthony? Help me with my bag? Neighbour carried it this far, but… you know.”

Emily stood there, smiling*his* smile. He swept her into his arms, hauling her luggage inside. Outside, autumn gloom hung heavy, but their home was warm, bright, and full of joy.

And soon, itd be full of something else too.