Lydia stood outside Simon’s flat, nervously twisting the strap of her handbag. Two and a half years ago, she’d walked out on him, slamming the door, certain that Paul—his wealthy friend with the flash car—would give her the life she dreamed of. But Paul wasn’t who he’d seemed, and now Lydia had decided to return. “Simon always loved me,” she thought. “He’ll take me back—where else would he go?” She pressed the doorbell, smoothed her hair, and forced a smile. When Simon opened the door, his surprised “Well, well! What brings you here?” made her feel bolder.
“I’m back,” she said, inhaling the scent of fried potatoes and meatballs. “Cooking dinner? Smells lovely.” Simon frowned. “Back? To me?” Lydia nodded, but his next question threw her: “We’ve already eaten. Sorry, not inviting you in.” “We?” she echoed, a knot of dread tightening in her chest. “Who’s ‘we’?” Then a woman stepped out from the kitchen. Lydia squinted—and gasped. It was Olivia, her old friend, the one she’d once shared bubbly with while plotting how to leave Simon.
Lydia and Simon had married five years ago, but their fights were constant. She wanted the high life—fine dining, holidays abroad, designer dresses. Simon, an engineer at a factory, earned modestly, though he tried. His parents brought groceries from their village to save money, but Lydia scoffed, “I don’t want their milk and cheese!” She blew her wages on clothes and a new phone on credit, then demanded more from Simon. “You’re a pauper,” she’d sneered. “Why did I ever tie myself to you?” He asked her to tidy the flat, but she refused: “It’s *your* place. I’m not the housekeeper.”
Everything changed when she fell for Paul. Charming, flush with cash, he wined and dined her, promising the world. Olivia had warned her, “Lyd, Paul’s a cad—think this through!” But Lydia didn’t listen. She packed her bags, tossed Simon the keys, and left with Paul without a backward glance. Olivia stayed behind, cleaning up the mess Lydia left. Lydia had laughed then: “Take Simon if you want him—he’s yours!” She never dreamed those words would come true.
Life with Paul was no fairy tale. He was generous but domineering, and his “straying” wore her down. After two years, she heard Simon had been promoted, bought a car, and stayed single. “He’s waiting for me,” she decided, scribbling a note to Paul before fleeing. But now, standing in the doorway, she stared at Olivia, who simply said, “Hello, love. Why the shock? You gave him to me.”
Lydia’s cheeks burned. “You’re married?” she choked out. Simon nodded. “Yes, Lydia. And we’re happy. What did you expect?” She faltered. “I thought… maybe we could—” Olivia cut in gently: “Lyd, you’ve got family. They’ll welcome you. But Simon and I have plans. Goodbye.” The door shut, leaving Lydia alone on the landing, clutching her bag.
She remembered how Olivia had cleaned that flat, baked cakes, visited her gran. Back then, Lydia mocked her “simplicity.” Now she saw: Olivia gave Simon what she never could—care, comfort, love. Lydia considered crawling back to Paul, but her note had burned that bridge. Her parents? They’d drifted apart, hurt by her choices. She sank onto the bench outside, watching her world crumble. “What have I done?” she whispered. No answer came.
Inside, Simon and Olivia set the table. A month later, twins arrived, and Simon’s parents, adoring their new daughter-in-law, couldn’t have been prouder. Lydia, though, was left with nothing but regret. Life, as Olivia had warned, doesn’t forgive those who toss away what’s real for a mirage.
**Lesson learned:** Chase dreams, but never mistake glitter for gold. The things you take for granted are often the ones worth keeping.
