This might sound like a typical story, but there’s a lesson in it—a couple just past their fifties who’d already celebrated their silver wedding anniversary. They had two grown-up kids, both independent now. Life together had been steady—no fireworks, but no shouting matches either. The husband, Gary, was a bit unusual—always grumpy, his frown making him look older than his 56 years.
Then, out of nowhere, things changed. A new colleague joined his team—not exactly young, but twenty years younger than him. Suddenly, Gary’s face lit up with smiles. Soon enough, everyone at work knew about him and Emily. He even confided in a few mates, slipping once that she was pushing him to get a divorce. Before long, the divorce was real. Gary left his family, rented a flat, and moved in with Emily. Out of respect for his ex-wife, he left her everything—house, savings—starting fresh with nothing.
After a while, Emily wanted kids, and Gary was keen to grow their family. But when she found out she couldn’t conceive, they shelled out for a surrogate. While the surrogate was pregnant, though, Emily changed her mind—motherhood wasn’t for her after all.
In the end, Gary was left alone again—this time with two toddlers and a rented flat. All that hope for excitement and a new beginning cost him his family, his home, and his peace of mind. And in the end, she walked away without a second glance.
