Such is life: We lost 20 precious years, but our time has come!
My name is Emily Hawthorne, and I live in the quaint town of Ashford, where Kent’s beautiful landscapes are dotted with charming brick homes. I could never capture his heart — destiny didn’t favor us as a couple. He, my Alex, repeatedly threw himself into love, surrendering to women who would only break his heart. For two decades, we circled around each other, but only now, as our youth fades, has life taken pity on us.
It all began in Year 10 when Alex transferred to our class. New, shy, with an open spirit, he immediately caught my attention. Seven months later, he fell for Lisa, one of our classmates — a lively, cheeky girl with a mischievous smile. She pretended to reciprocate his feelings, manipulating him like a puppet. She even introduced him to her parents, who adored the “nice boy.” Yet behind his back, Lisa was involved with Dan, the most popular boy in school. Alex ignored the truth until he found them together at a party at her place. Even then, he stayed — remained her shadow, her cover. Lisa’s parents saw Dan as a troublemaker and forbade her from dating him, while Alex was their “perfect son-in-law.” He shared her with another and endured it. I, as his friend, listened to his excuses, his tears, his anguish. This went on for years.
Then came Natalie — sweet, cheerful, but not ready for a serious commitment. Alex dreamed of family, of children, and when she accepted his proposal, he believed it would be forever. But on the morning of their wedding, she vanished — never put on the dress, never crossed that threshold, just disappeared. Alex plunged into despair. I was there — by then, a colleague, his right-hand at work. I watched him bury his pain in work, swearing he’d never fall in love again. Then Olivia appeared — the life of the party, funny and carefree. Everyone adored her, and it seemed she loved them back. Alex fell head over heels in love. Then he discovered she was expecting another man’s child. The biological father showed up at the birth but denied the baby. However, Alex gave the child his surname, raising him as his own. Olivia’s infidelities persisted, but he endured it — for the child, for the love he thought was real. Until she stunned him: she asked him to be the godfather at her wedding with a new man. Alex agreed — stayed to care for her son, justifying her fickleness.
Next came Mary — demanding like a spoiled princess. She insisted he take her to dinners, serve breakfast in bed, organize lavish holidays. He slaved away for three years until she threw a tantrum on a plane due to a flight delay. Mid-air, she broke up with him, shouting he wasn’t worthy of her. Then there was Julia — insanely jealous. Alex — loyal, devoted — never gave her reason to doubt him. Yet, she despised me, his friend. We worked together, inseparable like siblings. Julia demanded he quit — because of me. She claimed he talked about me too often at home. Yes, we spent countless hours together, but ours was just friendship. I secretly loved him, and he didn’t see it. I had a boyfriend, Mike, who knew my heart belonged to another. He accepted it, lived with me, hoping for a miracle. Meanwhile, Alex pursued new romances, believing in their genuineness. That’s how we drifted apart for ten years.
Ten years later, we bumped into each other at a café in Ashford. Time stood still. We talked for hours, laughed, reminisced. Neither of us had married. Over the years, he endured three more empty relationships, while I broke up with Mike — he found someone who gave him her all. I waited for Alex. “I haven’t found true love, someone to spend my life with. I guess I’m not worthy,” he said, staring at his empty cup. And then I couldn’t hold back — I took his hand and kissed him. He recoiled: “What are you doing? Don’t do this out of pity!” Pity? I only pitied myself — for years of silence. “Alex, don’t you see? I’ve loved you since school!” I blurted, trembling. He froze. Admitted he loved me too but only saw me as a friend, afraid to ask, afraid of ruining what we had. We lost twenty years due to this blindness.
Now we’ve been together for 22 years. Just the other day, our daughter Lisa told us she’s in love. Her boyfriend — a good, sincere lad, adores her, I can see that. What did I tell her? “Don’t wait twenty years like us. Live your love now.” Alex and I missed out on so much time, but our moment finally arrived. I’m grateful for every day beside him — for his kindness, for his heart that searched for me in others’ arms for so long. Life can be harsh, but sometimes it offers a second chance. We seized it — and will never let it go.
