Stella Harper owned a chain of jewellery stores in London, a business she had built with her fathers guidance. By the time she turned forty, she was a fixture at society galas, graced the covers of glossy magazines and counted actors, singers and solicitors among her acquaintances. She raised her son Mark, and everything seemed under controlexcept for one thing: love.
Stella grew up in the market town of York with her grandmother, Ethel. When Stella was six, her parents were offered contracts in the capital and moved to London, leaving her in the care of Ethel, who adored her granddaughter.
At sixteen, Stella fell for a classmate named Edward Clarke, who returned her affection. Ethel, who had raised five children, waved a dismissive hand. What werent we all a little crazy at sixteen? Youth is a wild horse. Yet Stella and Edwards bond deepened; they stopped noticing anything else. After finishing school they enrolled at university together, and on their first term Stella whispered to Edward, Get ready to be a father.
Edward grinned, Always ready. A month later Stella collected her papers and drove to London to live with her parents. Edward, bewildered, sought Ethels counsel. What are you planning, love? How will you feed a child? With textbooks? Love isnt a toy, darling. Hell need more than that. He wrote a hurried note to Stella, who replied simply, Come.
Edward rushed to London and was ushered in by Stellas mother, Anna Harper. Hello, Im Edward. Ive come to see Stella. Anna led him to the kitchen, where a quiet silence hinted that Stella was not home. Listen, dear, she said, leave our family alone. Forget Stella.
Can I wait for her? Edward asked.
Shes at a health retreat. Shell be back in two weeks. Youve done all you could. Well manage from here. Annas tone was final. Edward left, sat on a bench outside the flat, then headed for the train station.
For Edward, Stellas nameLatin for starbecame a beacon he chased for years. He returned home and buried himself in his studies, unsure whether to storm back into Stellas life or to move on.
When Stella gave birth to Mark, Edward visited London again, bringing a stack of presents. Anna, however, brushed him off. Well raise Mark without you. We cant afford a life of halfmeasures. Focus on your own path. Edward left with his spirit deflated, his friend urging him, Watch out for the rich inlaw; theyre a hard lot.
Edward suffered, loving Stella in silence while she never responded. Time slipped away, and eventually a woman named Megan entered his life, loving him sincerely. They had a daughter, Julia, and Edward, now a local councilor, promised Megan before their wedding that he had once dreamed of another. Megan, hurt but resolute, replied, Your words cut deep, but Ill endure and fight for us. My love will fill both of us.
Years later, Edward rose to become mayor of his town. Stella lingered in his thoughts, and their paths crossed occasionally when Edward visited London and met his grownup son Mark. Stella eventually remarried a gentleman whom Anna approved, a match she herself had helped arrange.
Five years on, Stella and her husband were living in London, yet she chose solitude and returned to York. When Mark turned fourteen, teenage turmoil erupted. Edward, my son is out of control! Come help! Stella cried over the phone. Edward dropped everything and rushed to York.
Megan, seeing her husband depart, sat by the window and wept. Years of sharing a home had taught her to expect Stellas latenight calls. She rose from bed, whispered something to Stella in the bathroom, and returned to her role as the second player in Edwards life, never sure if her generosity was truly valued.
When Edward came back from the capital, Megan felt a fleeting joyher husband was there, her love was enough. She pressed on, trying to be the perfect wife, polishing their life like a golden key unlocking a fortress of love. She dried unnecessary tears, stayed silent when Edward brought home a huge plush bear for Mark, and found comfort in his devotion to Julia. Her grandmothers saying echoed in her mind: A wife is a husbands bandage; a husband is a wifes shepherd.
Spring arrived, and Edward prepared for another trip to Londonthis time for Marks wedding. He bought a honeymoon voucher for the couple: a twoweek escape to Greece. Amid the celebration, Stella leaned toward Edward and whispered, Shall we start over?
Edward exhaled softly and answered, No, Stella. Its too late. I will marry Megan, the best partner I could ever hope for.
In the end, Edward learned that chasing a distant star can blind you to the steady light beside you. True happiness lies not in the pursuit of what might have been, but in cherishing the love that stands before you.
