Who would ever want you? Toothless, barren, pedigree-less plain old Claire.
Who would ever want you? yelled Paul. Then, with a sneer, he spat on the floor and walked out.
She ran to the window, gaze fixed on the man with whom shed shared fifteen years years she thought were lived heart-to-heart. But now, just before leaving, hed opened her eyes: it was all simply convenient.
The Family Portraits Experiment
Claires flat was immaculate, her cooking beloved the perfect hostess, ready to do anything for him.
The urge rose up in her chest: maybe I should open the window and scream, beg him not to abandon me.
She was even willing to humiliate herself, to accept him living there even if he was absent for days, off spending time with that other woman
Anything seemed better than being forty-five and alone, tossed aside. Her hand touched the window latch. But then, her eyes landed on her fathers portrait. He stared out in full military dress, chin lifted, dignified and proud.
Shame flooded Claire. For her weakness.
She glanced once more at her elegant husband as he slid into a flashy car, their possessions crammed in the back.
Claire shuffled into the kitchen, passing the hallway. There stood the old dressing mirror, an heirloom from her grandmother.
It reflected a heavyset, tired woman with greying hair and faded eyes.
Claire had never thought herself beautiful. Her health had gone downhill, her teeth crumbled, and she couldnt afford new ones all the money had gone into Pauls shiny new car, his luxury wardrobe for the office.
What madness! Your Pauls dressed like an actor, and all you have is a stretched jumper, a prehistoric skirt, a couple decrepit blouses, battered shoes, and those miserable slippers instead of boots. Your coat my gran wouldnt wear that if you paid her. He expects restaurant food every night: steaks, fancy cutlets, stuffed pancakes, roasts! Why should you bend over backwards for him? said her colleague Lucy.
Claire nodded, but obeyed her own heart. And then Paul announced he was leaving. For a twenty-seven-year-old woman. With four children.
Shes so young Claire whispered sadly.
But Lucy was having none of it. Snooping online and interrogating neighbours, she delivered her verdict:
The cheek of it, calling you plain! Youre from a proper family! That other womans a disaster. Never worked a day. All those kids from different men. She was drinking even in late pregnancy. Her mothers a piece of work too. So much for youth! And yet men fall for it. Easy come, easy go. But you can’t build a family on that. Im gobsmacked at your Paul. You hang in there!
Claire endured. Shed inherited a lovely, spacious flat in central London from her parents.
Her father, suspecting something, had made sure everything was in her name. Paul never had a claim. So, Claire decided to rent out a room to ease financial strain.
There was new construction nearby. The lodger was an engineer a kindly, well-spoken gentleman with a neat beard, named Edward. He looked at Claire thoughtfully and then blurted:
Let me pay you a bit in advance. Get your teeth sorted, maam! Such a fine lady shouldnt suffer so.
Claire flushed deep red. She doubted she was fine or lovely. But the prospect she yearned for a solution.
Edward gave her a little extra money, insisting she could settle later if need be. Then his brother visited. Claire was stunned.
He wore a bright yellow blazer, violet trousers, and his hair was styled into something glorious.
Introduced himself as Cyril. He worked as a stylist.
Claimed he was there to check up on his brother and he adopted Claire as his project. When she served her famous pies to the lodgers, Cyril suggested a complete image overhaul.
He performed miracles. Her hair shone with highlights, makeup revealed beautiful bone structure, her teeth sparkled. Claire started walking everywhere, lost excess weight, even jogged every morning in the park.
A sweet woman, gentle smile dimpling her cheeks she was a butterfly born from an unnoticed cocoon.
One afternoon, the doorbell rang. One of the lodgers opened it and yelled:
Claire, its for you!
There, on the doorstep, stood her ex-husband. She barely recognised him Paul had aged at least a decade, pale, gaunt, lost. The arrogance had vanished. Bags and suitcases sat by his feet.
What do you want? Claire asked, coldly.
She remembered all those desperate nights when shed tried to call him but he refused, even blocked her number.
And now, here he was.
Look at you! Paul breathed, stunned.
But Claire was unmoved. She remembered the sleepless nights, how she had once contemplated ending it all, the ceaseless tears and panic.
Claire Ive been through hell. That woman only wanted me for money. The kids seemed alright at first, but Lord wild, screaming nonstop. She doesnt care to even try; always glued to her phone, wont cook, just fills the freezer with ready meals. One day she made instant noodles, can you imagine? Noodles! For me! She ruined all my shirts in the wash, not a single one survived. I havent bought myself a thing spent everything on them. Its like living in a madhouse. Claire, please, Ive come back. Life was good with you. Can we start over? Please? he pleaded.
But in her ears echoed his words:
Who would ever want you? Toothless, barren, pedigree-less Claire.
She looked at her ex again. Just then, Edward poked his head out, concern wrinkling his brow:
Claire! Need any help? Excuse me, sir, what business do you have here?
Paul bristled, shouting:
And who might you be?
Hes my husband, Edward. Dont come here again! Claire snapped, closing the door on Paul, who stood there, mouth agape.
She apologised to Edward for calling him her husband offhand. He breathed out, then blurted out:
Maybe its time I said something! Im in love with you, Claire! How could anyone leave such a wonderful woman? Will you marry me for real?
He was a widower. Claire said yes. Two months later, they were married. Edward showered her with roses. They bought a little cottage.
Behind them, around the corner, her ex sometimes lurked, watching in jealous rage and cursing himself for swapping genuine love for a worthless fling.
Hed ended up with nothing.
And Claire and Edward strolled the streets hand-in-hand, happy and in love. And soon, she was expecting a child.
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