Anna had longed to be reunited with her beloved husband, and now, at last, the day had come. Her son had finished school and enrolled in university, leaving her free to join the man she loved.
The very day she sent her son off, she bought a coach ticket and set out for Steven. They’d been married only two years but had known each other, it seemed, an eternity. Their love had been far from easy—rocky beginnings, struggles along the way—yet fate now promised them happiness. At least, Anna was certain of it.
They’d met eight years ago. She’d just begun healing from her divorce and had sworn off men—until Steven came along. Even then, she’d been hesitant. He’d had to prove himself, to show he wasn’t like her first husband, Victor.
Six months of courting led to them moving in together—Steven leaving his cramped flat for her modest home, where she lived with her ten-year-old son, Jack. The boy took time to warm to his stepfather.
Three years passed before Steven broached the subject of marriage. Anna, however, had little interest in wedding bands. To her, they were outdated. What good were vows when they couldn’t shield a heart from betrayal?
She was happy as they were—why change?
Steven had humored her at first, but soon, he’d had enough. He wanted her as his wife in every sense. He gave her an ultimatum: marry, or part ways.
Anna bristled at his persistence. She chose to walk away.
For half a year, they lived apart. Steven moved to Manchester, where an old friend had offered him a lucrative position. He rarely visited, only returning every few months to see his parents. On one such trip, he ran into Anna.
She’d been strolling through Hyde Park, radiant and carefree—until their eyes met. In that instant, he saw what he felt himself. She still loved him. And she couldn’t hide it.
They reunited, though now separated by distance. She visited him sometimes; he came to her when he could. Each meeting, carefully planned, was filled with warmth and longing.
Steven had begged her to move in—he’d even bought a two-bedroom flat, though the mortgage weighed on him. Anna’s heart ached to say yes, but life held her back. Jack needed her. Her mother, bedridden after an illness, required care. For over two years, Anna nursed her until, at last, the doctors declared, “She’ll live another few years yet!”
With her mother recovered, only Jack remained—a teenager unwilling to leave his school. Anna relented, waiting until he’d finished his A-levels. That summer, she and Steven married. Seeing his joy, she almost regretted not agreeing sooner.
Now they were together—though still apart. A commuter marriage, divided by miles.
Then Jack left for university. Proud as she was, Anna knew it was time. She packed her suitcase, boarded a coach, and set off without warning, imagining Steven’s surprise when he found her in lace, rose petals strewn across fresh sheets, dinner waiting.
Lost in happy thoughts, she hardly noticed the journey—until she unlocked his door and froze.
A young redhead stood before her.
“Who are you?” Anna asked.
“I’m Lily. Oh—you must be Anna! I’ll just go—”
“Go? Who *are* you?”
“I—I’m Steven’s girlfriend. Please don’t be upset.”
“His *what*?” Anna’s world shattered.
Lily fumbled for words. “He’s wonderful, and he loves you so much—”
“Loves me? Then why are *you* here? How old are you? Twenty?”
“Just last month. I… I had nowhere to go. Steven took me in. We were only friends, but—I fell for him. I know he doesn’t love me. He never will. But it’s hard for him, alone. I—I just wanted to help.”
Anna could scarcely breathe. Had there been signs? No strange perfumes, no misplaced hairpins. *How?*
Lily hurried on. “I’ll pack my things. He didn’t tell me you were coming—”
“How long has this been going on?”
“A year and a half. Whenever you visited, I’d stay with a friend. We were careful. I never touched your things—not even your shampoo. He didn’t want to hurt you.”
Anna barely heard her. “You think this *hasn’t* hurt me?”
Before Lily could reply, the door opened. Steven stood there, stricken.
“Anna, love—it means nothing! I’ve only ever loved you!” He reached for her, but she shoved him away.
“A year and a half of lies! *This* is your love?”
“*You told her that?!*” he snapped at Lily.
“Steven, you never said she was coming!”
“I didn’t know!” He turned to Anna. “Darling, she’ll leave. We’ll talk—”
“Nothing to say,” Anna said coldly. She grabbed her suitcase. “Don’t bother, Lily. *I’m* going.”
“No, *you* should stay! He needs you—”
“I decide where I belong!”
She left, tears blurring her vision. How could he do this? How could he betray her with a girl barely older than Jack?
Back home, grief swallowed her. For months, she despised herself for still loving him.
Then, one day, a knock. Lily stood there, holding a cat carrier. Inside was Biscuit—Steven’s pet.
“Anna, I’m so sorry to come unannounced,” Lily said. “Steven… he’s gone.”
“Gone?”
“After you left, he was devastated. Last week, he said he wouldn’t be coming back. I thought he was joking—but then… there was an accident. I think he meant it. He couldn’t live without you.” Lily held out the carrier. “I didn’t know what to do with Biscuit. I thought… you might take her?”
Anna took the cat, trembling. The certificate Lily handed her confirmed it. Steven was dead—and she hadn’t even known.
She shut the door, cradling Biscuit. Tears fell unbidden. The world stood still—
“Ma’am, wake up—we’ve arrived!”
Anna jolted awake, the coach driver shaking her shoulder. She touched her wet cheeks.
*Just a dream. Thank God.*
Yet doubt lingered. What if it had been a warning?
Steeling herself, she arrived unannounced. The flat was empty—save for Biscuit’s welcoming purr.
That evening, Steven found her among rose petals, her surprise waiting.
“I’m here for good,” she whispered.
“At last!” he beamed, never knowing the nightmare she’d escaped.
And as she held him, she wondered—should she tell him?
But for now, the dream could wait.
