Natalie, You’ve Been Gone for Five Years—You Never Cared How I Was or What Became of Me Natalie and Ben had lived together for over five years. Ben didn’t earn much—his salary was rather modest, as he was an ordinary labourer. Natalie always dreamed of a comfortable, or even better, wealthy life, so she was thrilled whenever she met men more successful than her husband. One day, Natalie had incredible luck—she caught the eye of a wealthy businessman who promised her a fortune. She fell for his grand promises and left her poor husband to start a new life. Ben was devastated by his wife’s decision. He pleaded with his beloved, begging her not to leave. He promised her everything would change, that he’d work harder, switch jobs, work day and night if he had to, just to make her happy. But Natalie was unmoved—she was already dreaming of sailing white yachts and shopping in Europe’s finest boutiques. Her poor husband could never afford such luxuries. No vow of love or promise could persuade her. Five years later, now thirty-two, Natalie’s rich benefactor lost interest in her amidst a crowd of younger, more alluring women. He told Natalie she was too demanding and quarrelsome, and he lost all affection for her. Having no way to support herself in London, never having had a job in her life, Natalie decided to return to her ex-husband. After all, hadn’t he sworn eternal love and said his heart belonged to her forever? Surely he would be waiting for her. As Natalie approached the flat where she once lived, she heard footsteps and saw a woman open the door, holding a small girl. “Darling, we’ve talked about not opening the door alone,” the woman gently chided the child. “Can I help you?” she asked. Natalie stood speechless on the doorstep. “I’m looking for Ben. Is he home?” Natalie stammered, confused and uncertain. “Ben, someone’s here asking for you! What’s your name?” the woman called for Natalie’s ex-husband, then glanced back at the guest. “Natalie!” Ben said in surprise, then turned to the woman. “Love, could you go inside? I need to talk.” “Who was that?” Natalie asked in astonishment, watching as the woman carried the little girl away. “That’s my wife, Olivia, and in her arms is our daughter, Emily,” Ben replied. “You’re married? You have a daughter? You swore you would never love anyone the way you loved me!” “So many years have passed since that day! I was heartbroken at first, but then I realised life doesn’t end when someone leaves. That’s when I met Olivia, fell completely in love, and she made me happy. She gave me a daughter.” “And me? What about me?” “Natalie, you’ve been gone for five years and never cared how I was or what became of me. You ran after someone else’s money, and all you wanted was wealth and a lavish life. We may never have been rich, but that doesn’t excuse what you did. And now you’ve come back? Did you expect me to sit and wait for you all this time?” “I was foolish! I still love you!” “Natalie, enough of this act. Please go. I don’t need you, and I don’t want to see you. Your boyfriend dumped you, and that’s the only reason you’re here? It makes me sick. Please, just go.” Natalie burst into tears, consumed by her heartbreak and the pain of not being wanted, while Ben was glad to have finally moved on and found happiness—achieving closure and a sense of vindication.

Author Harlan CovingtonReading 4 minViews 1

Emily, you havent been around for five years nowyou dont care how Im living or whats become of me

Emily and James had been living together for over five years. Jamess wage wasnt much to talk about; he worked as a labourer and earned just enough to get by. Emily had always dreamed of a comfortable, preferably luxurious life, so she was quite pleased whenever she met men who were better off than her husband.

Then, one day, Emilys luck seemed to take offa wealthy businessman noticed her and promised her a life of extravagance. Swept away by his promises, she left her struggling husband and set off to start a new life.

James was devastated by her betrayal. He practically begged at her feet, pleading with her not to abandon him. He promised that things would changethat hed find a better job and work day and night if thats what it took to make her happy.

But Emily was resolute, already envisioning herself sailing on a sleek yacht and shopping in the most expensive boutiques across Europe. Her poor husband could never afford anything like that. None of Jamess reassurances or declarations of love could change her mind.

Five years later, at the age of thirty-two, Emilys wealthy patron dumped herhe was surrounded by younger, more alluring women and claimed she was too high-maintenance and argumentative. Now, left without a penny in London, with no job experience and unaccustomed to real work, she decided to go back to her ex-husband. She reasoned that since James had sworn eternal love and promised his heart was always hers, surely hed welcome her back.

Approaching the familiar flat, Emily was startled to hear movement by the front door. Suddenly, a woman she didnt recognise opened it, holding a little girl in her arms.

Sweetheart, the woman gently chided the girl, weve talked about not opening doors by yourself, havent we? Then she turned to Emily. Can I help you? Emily stood on the doorstep, lost for words.

Im looking for James is he in? Emily stammered, unsure what else to say.

James, theres a lady here asking for you. What was your name? the stranger called into the flat, glancing back at Emily.

Emily! James exclaimed in surprise as he appeared. Turning to his wife he said, Love, would you mind stepping inside? I need a moment.

Who was that? Emily asked, bewildered as the other woman walked away with the child.

Thats my wife, Alice, and thats our daughter Rosie, James replied.

Youre married? You have a daughter? You swore youd love me forever; you said youd never love anyone as much as you loved me!

Its been years, James replied gently. At first I was heartbroken, but I soon realised life goes on. Then I met Alice, and I fell in love completely. She made me happy again. Shes given me a beautiful daughter.

And me? What about me?

Emily, youve been gone five yearsyou never bothered to see how I was doing. You ran off chasing someone elses money. Wealth and an easy life were all you cared about. Maybe we were never well-off, but thats no excuse for what you did. Now you show up here, thinking Id have sat around waiting for you?

I was a fool! I still love you!

Emily, stop this nonsense. Please, just go. I dont need you and I dont want to see you. The only reason youre here is because your fancy man threw you out! I cant bear thisjust leave.

Tears streamed down Emilys face, stung by the realisation that nobody wanted her now. Meanwhile, James felt a sense of closure, glad he had finally let go of her and found happiness at last.

Go Away and Never Come Back — Leave, Do You Hear Me? Michael Whispered with Tears in His Eyes. Go, and Never Return—Ever Again. With Trembling Hands He Unclasped the Heavy Metal Chain and Dragged Berta to the Gate, Pushing Her Out onto the Road. She Didn’t Understand—Was She Being Driven Away? But Why, When She’d Done Nothing Wrong? Go, Please, Michael Repeated, Hugging the Dog. You Can’t Stay Here. He’ll Be Back Any Minute and… Just Then the Door Flew Open and Drunken Victor Stumbled Out onto the Porch, Axe in Hand… If Only People Knew for a Moment How Hard the Life of a Dog Forced onto the Streets Can Be, They’d See Strays with Pity, Not Disdain. But How Could They Know? Dogs Can’t Tell Their Stories or Complain About Their Fate—They Keep All Their Hurt Inside. But Let Me Tell You a Tale—A Tale of Love, Betrayal, and Loyalty… It Begins When Berta Was Unwanted From the Very Start. No One Knows Why Her First Owner Abandoned Her—Perhaps Simply for Being Born. He Didn’t Even Bother to Find Her a Home, Just Left the Two-Month-Old Puppy by the Roadside Outside a Small Village, Where Cars and Lorries Speeded Past. Perhaps He Hoped She Wouldn’t Survive, Either to Traffic or to Hunger. But That Day, Fortune Smiled—Young Michael Cycling on His Birthday Discovered Her, Saved Her, and Took Her in As His Own. Michael Had Long Dreamt of a Dog, and His Parents, Though Reluctant, Let Him Keep Her. He Named Her Berta, and They Fast Became Best Friends. For a Time, All Was Well—Until Michael’s Father, Victor, Lost His Job, Sunk into Drink, and Became Cruel, Lashing Out at His Family and the Dog. One Night, Fearing for Berta’s Life as His Father Raged, Michael Freed Her, Pleading Through Tears for Her to Run Away and Never Come Back. Berta Didn’t Understand, Only That She Was Suddenly Alone Again. Seven Long Years Passed. Berta Wandered Vilages, Survived on Kindness and Scraps, Was Taken In By a Cemetery Groundskeeper, and Lived Among Graves and Loss, Remembering Happier Times. One Day, She Found the Grave of Victor—the Man Who’d Driven Both Her and Michael From Home. Years Later, When Michael Returned at Last, Struggling With His Own Pain and Seeking Closure, Berta Found Him at the Cemetery. Older, Changed by Life, But Still Recognisable. They Reunited—Dog and Owner, Friends Bound by Love and Suffering. Michael Took Berta Home With His New Family, and Together with His Partner, a New Baby, and Even a Stray Kitten, They Built a New Life—One Where Loyalty, Forgiveness, and Hope Triumphed Over Cruelty and Abandonment. And So, Despite All They Endured, Michael and Berta Were Truly Happy, at Last.