In the final months of my grandmothers life, when the house grew quieter and time seemed fragile, I began
The Most Important Thing Ellas fever climbed with the enthusiasm of a Blackpool arcade grabber, darting
On Wednesday, over breakfast, Paul asked me for my bank card. His tone was just right concerned, but
Simon asked for my card on Wednesday, just as I was dishing up the scrambled eggs. He had the right toneworried
23December2025 I stopped on a snowladen stretch of the M1 to help an elderly couple whose car had flattired
A GREY BEARD, BUT A BEAUTIFUL SOUL Youve lied to me about everything! Im ending our correspondence.
Since I was a little girl, my parents told me that no one ever truly needed me and that I was good for nothing.
MY ENGLISH DAUGHTER-IN-LAW Mother, Im marrying Lucy. Were expecting in three months, my son told me out
Go. Dont come back. Go, do you hear me? Tom whispered, tears stinging his eyes. Go, and never come back.
Natalie, You’ve Been Gone Five Years—You Never Cared About My Life or What Became of Me
Natalie and Ben had lived together for over five years. Ben didn’t earn a fortune; his wages were modest, as he was an ordinary labourer. Natalie had always dreamed of a comfortable, or better yet, a wealthy life, so she relished any encounter with men better off than her husband.
One day, Natalie’s luck seemed to change—she caught the eye of a wealthy businessman who promised her the world. Swayed by his grand speeches, she left her poor husband behind to start a new life.
Ben was devastated by her actions. He practically begged on his knees, promising he’d change everything: earn more money, leave his old job, work day and night—anything to keep her happy.
But Natalie remained unmoved, already dreaming of sailing on a white yacht and shopping in Europe’s most exclusive boutiques, something Ben could never provide. No declarations of love or promises of moving mountains could change her mind.
Five years later, at thirty-two, Natalie found herself out of favour with her rich partner, who now had plenty of younger, flirtatious women around him. He told her she was too argumentative and demanding, and he lost all interest.
Broke and unaccustomed to working for herself, Natalie decided to return to her ex-husband. After all, he’d promised her eternal love and said his heart would always belong to her; surely he’d be waiting.
As she approached the flat they once shared, she heard movement at the door—an unfamiliar woman answered, holding a little girl in her arms.
“Darling, we’ve talked about not opening the door alone,” the woman chided the child. “Who are you looking for?” she asked Natalie, who stood speechless at the threshold.
“I’m looking for Ben. Is he home?” Natalie stammered, confused.
“Ben, there’s a lady here asking for you! What’s your name?” called the woman, turning to Natalie’s former husband.
“Natalie!” Ben exclaimed in surprise, then turned to the woman. “Love, please go inside. I need to talk.”
“Who was that?” Natalie asked, shocked as she watched the woman and child leave.
“That’s my wife, Olivia, and our daughter, Mary,” said Ben.
“When did you get married? You have a daughter? You promised me forever. You said you’d never love anyone the way you loved me!”
“It’s been so many years, Natalie. At first, I was heartbroken. But then I realised life doesn’t end when someone leaves. Then I met Olivia, fell in love, and she’s made me truly happy. She’s given me a family.”
“What about me?”
“Natalie, you’ve been gone five years, and you never cared how I was or what happened to me. You chased after someone else’s money, couldn’t think of anything but luxury. We may never have been rich, but that doesn’t excuse what you did. Now you’re back? Did you expect me to be waiting here for you all these years?”
“I was foolish! I love you!”
“Natalie, enough with the theatrics. Just leave. I don’t need you anymore. I don’t want to see you. Your boyfriend dropped you, so you’ve come running back to me? It makes me sick. Just go.”
Natalie burst into bitter tears, realising no one wanted her, while Ben was glad he’d moved on and, in a way, had found his own kind of justice. 9th June Charlotte, its been five years since you left, and youve not given a second thought to how Im
