Don’t Take What Isn’t Yours

One must never take what belongs to someone else
My only daughter, Alice, was the apple of our eye. Everything revolved around her. My wife, Margaret, and I were both academics, working at a research institute I was a professor. For as long as I could remember, our home was always bustling with guests.
Margaret cooked wonderfully, always baking enormous pies and setting the table beautifully.
Oh Margaret, your table is always a sight so lovely and inviting, the smell alone makes everyone hungry, our guests would joke every time they visited.
Alice performed well at school, never quite the top student but always reliable, her marks usually ranged between As and Bs. We never had to force her to study. From childhood, she was organised and responsible. After school, shed change, have her meal, and sit down to her homework.
Alice, did you go to your music lesson today? Margaret would ask.
Yes, Mum, I did just got back.
Our daughter attended music school for violin, and she genuinely loved playing. Once she picked up the instrument, everything else faded away. Inspiration struck her and she would play for hours. Her music teacher constantly held her up as an example to the other students.
Her school years seemed to fly by. Alice was sociable and kind, surrounded by plenty of friends. We lived in London, so she hoped to attend university locally after graduation.
No need to worry, Alice, her friend Sarah told her, Your parents work at the university, Im sure theyll get you in somehow. As for me, I struggle in school as it is, let alone aiming for higher education.
So, where will you go after school?
Nowhere, Im starting work. My mums on her own, shes been giving her all to raise me, and I need to support her. Itll take the pressure off a bit, Sarah replied. They really did live modestly, making do with little.
Alice couldnt quite grasp Sarahs situation, since we earned well and she never wanted for anything.
Mum, Dad, Ill need a new dress and shoes for prom, she informed us.
Yes, darling, Ive noted it. Tomorrows Saturday, well pop into the shops, Margaret promised.
We bought Alice a beautiful dress and matching new shoes; all that remained was to ace her exams, enjoy her prom, and step into adulthood.
Alice was admitted to Imperial College, and although we did put in a word, she could have managed on her own. Margaret is very outgoing and her connections are everywhere, so she had conversations just in case.
Well, thats it Mum and Dad, your daughter is now a university student! Alice chirped happily after seeing her name among the successful applicants.
Congratulations, love! I said cheerfully and gifted her a brand new smartphone, which was still rare at the time.
Alice adored university everything from the studying, professors, to friends and social life. Things were completely different from school: student parties, exams, assignments, and more. She hardly met up with Sarah anymore as there was little free time, and Sarah was busy working at a factory. Her life and circle had changed completely.
In summer, Alice joined volunteering groups and those summers were lively and full of adventure. She was a cheerful young woman and popular with the lads, though she never found lasting love just friendship and the occasional date, nothing serious.
In her final year, Alice met William. He had served in the military and worked at a repair shop fixing household appliances. They met by chance at a cinema, Alice had come with Sarah a rare outing together.
Hello ladies, mind if I sit here? William asked politely as they sipped their milkshakes at the cinemas café before the film.
Of course, Sarah replied, while William looked straight into Alices eyes.
William, he introduced himself, The place is packed today, glancing around as if to explain his joining them.
Im Sarah, and this is Alice, Sarah smiled.
My mate said the new film was good, so here I am.
We finally managed to get together for once, times always short. I work, Alice studies, Sarah explained William seemed to have eyes only for Alice.
After the film, they agreed to meet again, as their seats were scattered amid the crowd. The three strolled late into the evening, then William saw the girls home Sarah first, then Alice and asked for her number.
William was a true charmer, bright and engaging, and Alice soon fell in love. They started dating, and after six months, got married. Margaret and I took to William instantly; we had no objections to their wedding, our future son-in-law won us over.
After graduation, Alice worked briefly before going on maternity leave and giving birth to our grandson, Thomas. Her life with William was happy. He was a caring husband and father, dependable, always there for Alice.
Mum, I really lucked out with William, Alice would often say, With him, I feel safe and protected.
Im happy for you, darling. William is a real gentleman and a family man, Margaret replied, and I enjoyed playing chess with William, discussing everything under the sun.
life had to start anew without William
But happiness rarely lasts forever. Thomas was five when Alice and William were in a car accident. A motorcyclist sped toward them out of nowhere Alice was thrown from the car, which likely saved her, but William was killed. Luckily, Thomas was at the grandparents house.
My God, why? Alice whispered, regaining consciousness in hospital, Margaret at her side.
Thank goodness, Alice, youre awake, Margaret cried. A fractured leg and ribs, but by some miracle, youre alive.
Alice had to bury William, confined to a wheelchair. She spent ages recovering, her parents caring for her as she and Thomas stayed with us. She sank into depression, constantly missing her beloved husband; only Thomas kept her going.
Thank you, Lord, she would say, gazing at the family photograph, What would I have done without my son? Thanks to Thomas, I survived.
Alice had to rebuild her life from scratch.
Mum, Ive decided to move to the coast. Weve got a house there, and I want to live by the sea. The climate will do me good and Thomas loves it. You can visit us. Here, everything reminds me of William.
We agreed. Moving to her new home, Alice found peace, got a job as manager at a hotel, and began socializing again. Thomas was now in school. On weekends shed relax on the beach with Thomas, sunbathing and unwinding.
Once, she accidentally lost her wedding ring while at the beach. The ring was precious, a token of William, and Alice cried, digging through the sand.
Why are you crying? a mans voice asked. What happened?
I lost my ring, it means so much to me
Who wears rings at the beach?
I do Is there a problem?
Well, no, Ill help you then, said the man. Names Peter, and you?
Alice, she replied, as they sifted the sand together until the ring turned up tucked into her clothes.
Thank you, Peter.
Been here long? Peter asked. I came with a mate, but hes recovering after a heavy night, so Im solo today.
I actually live here, Alice answered.
They chatted for a bit, and Peter invited her to a café.
Time to leave the beach, Alice agreed. Any longer and well burn lets grab a comfy spot for a drink.
In the cool café, they sipped chilled cocktails. Alice wasnt in a rush Thomas was with us for the month, asking to visit, and wed bring him back for school. Peter soon admitted he was married with a daughter, and worked at an airport in his city.
Alice told him her story, including Williams tragic death.
Thats why Im starting life from scratch, she said. Moved here with my son.
She felt comfortable around Peter, he was easy-going and kind. After the café, he walked her home and that seemed to be the end of it. Yet three days later, Peter was waiting outside her house with a huge bouquet as she finished work.
Hi, missed you, Peter declared, handing her flowers.
Hello! Alice was genuinely glad to see him. And Im starting holiday tomorrow, she said cheerfully.
Brilliant, well have more time together then, Peter replied. How about dinner, and you can meet my mate too?
The night was lively at the restaurant; after, Peter saw her home and stayed over. What happened, happened.
Oh heavens, Ive fallen for him, Alice admitted to herself.
She hadnt been with anyone since Williams passing, and spent nearly her whole holiday with Peter. He called work and took unpaid leave. But in the end, Peter had to go back. Parting was hard. A week later, Peter phoned.
Alice, Im coming back I cant be without you. Ive confessed everything to my wife, and shes filed for divorce.
fate had yet another challenge for her
Alice was happy. She gave no thought to Peters wife or daughter and what they might be feeling she simply didnt.
Im a woman too and deserve to be happy.
Peter returned, and once his divorce went through, they married. In a year, Alice gave birth to a daughter. They were both blissfully happy.
But it seemed fate wanted to test Alice once more. The harmony lasted only ten years. Peter started straying, the seaside town was full of temptations. Arguments erupted; he lied at first, but soon owned up. She saw him on the beach with younger women.
Alice filed for divorce. Peter returned to his city and patched things up with his ex-wife. He never neglected his daughter, paying generous child support. The children grew up and went their own ways. Thomas moved in with us, attended university, and started his own family. Alices daughter remained with her but later married and lived separately.
Alice now has two grandsons and a granddaughter. They visit her, and even aging Margaret and I pop round sometimes with Thomas. Alices whole life is her children and grandchildren.
And Peter? Peter never came back into her life. Alice decided for good no more men, she finally understood:
I paid the price for loving a married man You must never take what belongs to someone else happiness built on anothers misery is wrong.
Alice didnt want to tempt fate again; she feared that what goes around comes around and would strike back painfully. So she lives alone.
Thank you for reading, for your support and kindness. Best wishes to all!