No Turning Back
“Happy birthday, Evelyn. I want to give you your dream,” Daniel said joyfully, wrapping his arms around her.
“How can you give someone a dream? A dream is just that—something you can’t hold,” Evelyn replied, puzzled, as they stepped out of the university after lectures.
“But I’ll give it to you anyway,” he declared proudly. “Let’s drop off your notes at the dorm, change, and we’ll go out of town.”
They stepped off the bus at the stop marked “Equestrian Club,” and suddenly Evelyn understood—he was taking her horseback riding. How many times had she told him how much she longed to ride a horse? For as long as she could remember, she had dreamed of it. She adored horses, though she’d only ever seen them in zoos or on television, watching every film about them with delight.
She couldn’t explain why she loved them so much. Once, when she was about five, she had asked her father, “Dad, can we buy a horse?”
He had laughed, baffled. “And where would we keep it? It’s big, needs feeding, needs hay. We’ve only got a two-bedroom flat.”
“On the balcony,” she answered simply.
Her father had patiently explained how horses needed space, open fields, that keeping one in a flat would be cruel. The thought of a horse suffering had upset her, and she agreed. “Alright, Dad, no horse on the balcony. But you could build a stable underneath it.”
That childhood dream had stayed with her all these years. Even now, in her fourth year at university, she still loved them.
After the ride, Evelyn was radiant. “Thank you, Daniel. That was wonderful. Now I know dreams really do come true.” He was just as happy—he’d made his sweetheart’s dream a reality.
It was spring. Leaving the club, Evelyn spotted a nearby wood and suggested a walk, since they were already out of the city. There, she found another joy—a childhood memory come alive. The forest floor was dotted with snowdrops, their delicate white blooms peeking through patches of lingering snow.
“Oh, Dan, how lovely! When I was a girl, my friends and I used to gather snowdrops in the woods. They’d push through the earth while the frost still lingered. And the scent—oh, spring is the most wonderful time. Everything waking up again…”
Young and carefree, Daniel hurried toward her with an armful of snowdrops. She had gathered her own.
“Happy birthday, and happy spring,” he said cheerfully.
“Thank you, Daniel. You’ve given me the most wonderful gift—horses and snowdrops. A true taste of my childhood.”
“I’m glad I could surprise you.”
They had been together for over a year when, just before graduation, Daniel spent his carefully saved wages and his entire student grant to buy her a ring. He wanted to propose properly. They had love—real love, they were certain of it.
The wedding was as merry as any—Evelyn in white, Daniel in a smart suit. Her maid of honour was her dearest friend, Beatrice. They had shared a dorm room, studied together, and remained close even after university, though their jobs took them to different places.
Daniel worked at a firm, and before long, he was promoted to department head, earning well. Evelyn worked too, until she went on maternity leave and gave birth to a beautiful boy, Oliver.
Years passed. Oliver grew, started school. To Evelyn, their life seemed perfect—peaceful, steady. Daniel was devoted, a loving father. They had their own two-bedroom flat now. Beatrice visited often, especially on weekends.
“When are you going to settle down?” Evelyn would ask, for her friend was still single.
“I don’t know—but perhaps one day,” Beatrice always answered mysteriously.
Then, out of nowhere, the storm broke. One evening, Daniel came home grim-faced, avoiding her eyes. “I’m leaving you, Evelyn.”
“Where are you going?” she asked, still half-smiling in confusion.
“To another woman.”
“You’re joking, Dan. Tell me it’s not true. Who is she?” she pressed, not yet fully grasping it.
“You won’t believe it—but it’s Beatrice,” he said flatly, then went to pack his things.
Evelyn sank onto a chair by the kitchen table, her thoughts scattering like startled birds. Even now, she couldn’t believe it. “This can’t be happening,” she kept thinking.
But when Daniel walked out with his suitcase and the door clicked shut, reality struck. Oliver was playing outside and hadn’t heard. When he came in, he said, “I saw Dad in the yard with a bag. He said he’s going away on a long business trip.” Evelyn nodded, saying nothing. Let him think that.
Nearly a decade passed.
One Saturday afternoon, the doorbell rang insistently. Irritated, Evelyn flung the door open, ready to scold whoever was holding their finger on the bell. But when she saw who stood there, she tried to slam the door—only for the woman to wedge her foot in the way.
The last person Evelyn wanted to see. “What do you want from me now?” she snapped.
It was Beatrice.
“Aren’t you going to invite me in?” her former friend asked.
“Why would I? Get out.”
“I came to talk properly. Just hear me out, please.” There was an unfamiliar plea in Beatrice’s voice. Reluctantly, Evelyn let her in.
The uninvited guest slipped off her shoes and walked to the kitchen. “Sit down. Want me to make you coffee too?” Evelyn said sarcastically.
“That’d be nice—but you won’t, and I won’t hold it against you.”
Evelyn studied her. Time hadn’t been kind—Beatrice’s figure had softened, dark circles shadowed her eyes, though she wasn’t yet forty.
Beatrice met her gaze. “Evelyn, take Daniel back,” she blurted out.
Evelyn stared. “Well, that’s a turn-up.”
“I’m begging you,” Beatrice pressed on, ignoring the remark. “I’ll even give you money—I’ve some saved.”
“So let me get this straight. You stole my husband, schemed against me, and now you’re here asking me to take him back? Have you lost your mind? Or is he ill and needs tending?”
“No, no. Daniel’s fine,” Beatrice said quickly.
“Then what? Fell out of love?” Evelyn sneered.
“I never loved him,” Beatrice admitted. “I only wanted to hurt you.”
“Me? Why?”
“Because everything came so easily to you! You were cleverer, prettier, had more prospects. All I had was a pretty name—I was just your shadow. Daniel was successful, earned well. I grew sick of it. I wanted justice. It took effort, you know.”
“Doesn’t he earn now?”
“Now? Now he drinks. Lies about all day. We’ve no children—I couldn’t give him any. He still works, but the drink’s got him.”
“So that’s why you’re returning him?”
“No, Evelyn. Not for that. I’ve fallen in love—properly this time. I can’t breathe without him. He loves me too. Maybe I can still have a child with him.” Her eyes were desperate.
“And what about me? Oh, but you never think of anyone but yourself, do you? You took my husband, used him, now toss him back? You think I’d want him?” Evelyn said, oddly calm.
“Evelyn, please try to understand—”
“No, darling. I don’t take second-hand husbands. Oliver and I are happy as we are.”
“But you loved Daniel. I remember how much. You’re alone now—”
“Yes, I loved him. It was real. But you destroyed that. You both betrayed me. I forgave you long ago, but I don’t want him—or you.”
Evelyn studied Beatrice, who sat like a beaten dog. But she felt no pity.
“What did she expect?”
Beatrice had hoped Evelyn would welcome Daniel back with open arms.
“Go, Beatrice. Take your god and go. I won’t take him. That’s all long over. And as for me being alone—that doesn’t mean a thing. I’ve a man who loves me now.”
Beatrice rose heavily and left. Evelyn sat in her favourite chair and wept—not for Daniel, but because she’d lied. There was no man, only her dear Oliver. And likely there never would be.
Then again, life was full of surprises.
But one thing Evelyn knew for certain: there was no turning back. And she didn’t want to. That road was behind her.
