The next week, Margaret invited Emma to lunch.
Emma accepted.
They met at a small restaurant.
Margaret arrived early.
She deliberately chose one of the least expensive tables.
When Emma arrived, she was wearing the same simple brown coat she always wore.
Margaret smiled.
"You came."
"Of course."
They sat.
A waiter brought menus.
Margaret closed hers immediately.
"I've been thinking about you and Daniel."
Emma waited.
"I want to ask you something."
"Go ahead."
"If Daniel lost his job tomorrow, would you stay with him?"
Emma answered without hesitation.
"Yes."
"If he couldn't afford restaurants?"
"I'd cook."
"If he had to move into a small apartment?"
"I'd move with him."
"If he couldn't give you the lifestyle you wanted?"
Emma smiled.
"I don't think I've ever asked him for a lifestyle."
Margaret studied her.
"What do you want?"
Emma looked through the restaurant window.
"A quiet life."
"That's all?"
"A life where people don't have to pretend."
Margaret's expression hardened.
"Interesting."
The waiter arrived.
Margaret ordered the most expensive meal on the menu.
Emma ordered soup and bread.
Margaret watched.
"You're careful with money."
"I try to be."
"Daniel told me you work at a café."
"Yes."
"How much do you earn?"
Emma smiled politely.
"Enough."
"Enough for what?"
"My life."
Margaret leaned forward.
"You know Daniel has ambitions."
"I know."
"He wants to become a partner at his company."
"I know."
"That requires connections."
Emma said nothing.
Margaret continued.
"And sometimes marriage can either help a man move forward or hold him back."
Emma looked directly at her.
"Are you telling me I'm holding Daniel back?"
"I'm asking whether you understand what his future requires."
Emma was silent for several seconds.
Then she said,
"Daniel's future is his."
Margaret frowned.
"You're very confident."
"No."
Emma smiled.
"I'm just not afraid of losing him."
That answer surprised Margaret.
Most women, she thought, would have become nervous.
Emma didn't.
She simply finished her soup.
When lunch ended, Margaret stood.
"Thank you."
Emma nodded.
"You're welcome."
Margaret watched her walk away.
She still didn't trust her.
But now she was curious.
Two days later, Margaret made a decision.
She would test Emma.
Not with questions.
With circumstances.
She called Daniel.
"I need your help."
"With what?"
"I have a problem at the house."
"What happened?"
"The heating system is broken."
Daniel frowned.
"I thought you had it repaired."
"I did. It stopped again."
"I'll come over."
"Bring Emma."
Daniel hesitated.
"Why?"
"Because I want to get to know her."
He smiled.
"Finally."
"Don't make a big deal about it."
"I won't."
But Margaret had already planned everything.
When Daniel and Emma arrived, she told them the repair would cost several thousand dollars.
Daniel immediately offered to pay.
Margaret refused.
"I don't want your money."
Emma remained quiet.
Then she asked,
"How much?"
Margaret told her.
Emma nodded.
"I can help."
Daniel turned.
"Emma, you don't have to."