Sharon_Adetan

At fifty, Emily Wilson never imagined starting over.
She gave her life to her husband and raised two grown sons—only to be cast aside like she never mattered. Betrayed by the man she trusted for decades, humiliated by his young mistress, and abandoned by her own children, Emily is left with nothing but a suitcase and heartbreak.

With nowhere to go, she leans on her bold, divorced best friend, who drags her to the big city to start fresh. There, Emily learns how to laugh again, find a job, dress for herself—not for anyone else—and slowly rebuild the woman she once was.

But just when she thinks life has given her all it can, he walks in.
Zayn Callahan — 25, rich, powerful, and emotionally shut down. A man with money but no warmth. Women want him for his name. He wants nothing—until he meets her.
Emily, with silver in her hair and sorrow in her eyes, is everything Zayn never expected to crave. And for Emily, Zayn is a dangerous temptation… young enough to be her son, yet looking at her like she’s the only woman left in the world.

Can two broken hearts heal each other, or will the world around them tear it apart before it begins?

This is not just a love story.
It’s a second chance. A defiance of age. A reminder that it’s never too late to be seen, desired, and truly loved.

From Housewife to Heiress

Lara's brows furrowed. Personal caretaker? That was definitely not normal corporate gossip. But it wasn't her business.

Lara returned home just as the sky turned a mellow orange. The apartment complex in the upper Eastview district glowed under the sunset. Inside, Emily stood by the stove, her sleeves rolled up, stirring a pot of creamy mushroom risotto. Neno, her lifelong best friend, was perched on the kitchen counter with a glass of peach spritzer.

"I'm telling you," Neno said, playfully nudging Emily with her foot, "you need to live a little. Go out. Dance. Let loose."

Emily chuckled. "And I'm telling you, I need a job. I can't just live off your generosity."

Neno rolled her eyes. "I own a floral café, not the country, Em. You're not draining me."

> Neno's Business: Petal & Steam – A quaint fusion café that sold handcrafted floral teas and fresh flower arrangements in the heart of the artisan district.

Just then, Lara walked in, removing her shoes and placing her bag down.

"Mama," she greeted, kissing Neno's cheek. "You're cooking again?"

"It helps me think," Emily replied softly.

"You're spoiling us," Lara grinned, disappearing into her room to change for dinner.

They gathered around the table — a modest oak rectangle that held memories of laughter, late-night talks, and occasional spilled wine.

"I'm going out after dinner," Neno said, dabbing her mouth. "A supplier from Graywood Grove wants to discuss expanding Petal & Steam to the lakeside markets."

"That's amazing, Neno," Lara beamed. "You've always dreamed of opening near the water."

"I'm proud of you," Emily said warmly. "Two days in and already doing more than me."

Neno stood, smoothed her dress, and kissed Emily's temple. "You'll find something. I know you will."

After dinner, the three women curled on the couch, blankets pulled tight, a classic rom-com playing in the background. But the warmth of the moment gave way to deeper talks.

"I don't have qualifications," Emily said, her voice low. "No degrees. No certificates. No experience in this city."

"You have life experience," Neno said. "That counts. You can work as a cleaner, a housekeeper, or maybe something more personal. Some people want trust more than a diploma."

Emily smiled faintly. "Thanks for believing in me."

CHAPTER 9