Get away from me! I shouted as Charlotte wept in front of me. Go live your own lifewithout him!
But Henry is my husband. Were raising a daughter together. You cant build your happiness on someone elses pain.
Dont start with that! You shouldnt live a loveless life. Its not Henry abandoning your daughterits you. I have no problem with him seeing his child.
I turned on my heel and walked away. That evening, Henry made up his mind to finish things. He packed his belongings and left Charlotte. She begged him not to make a mistake. She needed to know: what did I offer that she didnt?
I cant go on with you. I dont care anymore. It isnt the same with you as with Julia. I want to live with her now.
Months passed. In the beginning, Charlotte was inconsolable. But eventually, she realized she had to go on, no matter how hard it felt. Her daughter was growing up. Charlotte was trained as an economist.
She thought shed try working as an accountant. At the interview, the company director showed her much kindness and patience, impressed by her sense of responsibility and drive to improve. Thankfully, Charlottes mother agreed to look after her granddaughter while Charlotte worked.
I decided to put my personal life on hold and focus on my career. After years of hard work, I earned a reputation as a dependable employee, and later became deputy director.
The only man in my life, really, was my boss, Mr. Frank Blackwell. He was always kind and attentive. I found myself drawn to him. Yet, he had a wife and children of his own; I refused to let myself entertain any hopes. I couldnt imagine causing pain to another woman.
But Frank assured me he had loved me for ages and was willing to leave his wife. He promised he would never neglect his child.
Because of my past, I didnt know what to do or how to feel.
The words I once spoke to Charlotte echoed in my mind: You cant find happiness through someone elses sorrow.
Yet Frank persisted. Slowly, our work relationship deepened. Frank told me, again and again, that he no longer loved his wifemarrying her had been a mistake. His coldness was hurting them both. Still, I stood my ground. I had overheard one of Franks tense conversations with his wife, and I knew what she must be suffering. I refused to come between them. One day, as I was leaving work, I saw a woman approaching me. I knew at once who she was.
She stood before me, struck dumb, her face frozen.
Is it you? she asked.
Its me, I murmured. I recognised Charlotte at once.
She launched into a speech, insisting shed been right all along: You cant build your life on someone elses misfortune. Remember what you said to me those years ago! I heard myself speak, my voice cold.
Yes, I was wrong. I never should have taken your husband, she admitted. Sooner or later, what you do comes back around. But please, dont take Frank. Ive never loved anyone like him. Hes why I left Henry. You have to understandI cant live without him. You, of all people, know how much it hurts. Besides, you have your daughter.
Just stop, I cried.
Despite everything, revenge didnt appeal to me, even with Charlotte. Frank did his best to persuade me that I deserved happiness.
Julia, if I stay with her, three people will be miserable: me, you, and Charlotte. Nothing will change. I dont love her. To be honest, I never haveI was just worn down by her persistence. Ill leave her, one way or another.
I thought long and hard. Frank would be unhappy with Charlotteand who would that serve? Even if he stayed with her, my life remained empty. At last, I let myself embrace the possibility that maybe, just maybe, I deserved a chance at happiness too.
