A Twist of Fate: When Svetlana Learns Her Charming Fedya Is Already Married – A Story of Heartbreak,…

The Choice

So in the end, Freddy turns out to be thoroughly married sighed Betty, sitting on a bench in the park and clutching a referral for the clinic deep in her pocket.

Her flatmates in the dormitory used to envy her, seeing the tall, dark and blue-eyed man at her side, certain shed lucked out with a charming, attentive beau. But there was, in truth, nothing to envy at all.

A chill crept up Bettys spine as she recalled her first and last encounter with Freddys wifewho had lain in wait outside the biscuit factory gates, ready to explain the truth of things.

So, hello! You must be Beatrice? the woman began.

And who are you? Betty stammered, startled by the tall, slim woman with ashen-blonde hair whose piercing gaze bored right through her.

Im OliviaFreddy Middletons wife.

What?

You heard me.

One more plain little thing, Olivia said evenly. Just how many of you are there in the world, pray tell? Women chasing someone elses happiness, never in short supply.

How dare you?

Listen, Olivia cooed, softly grasping Bettys elbow, what are you playing at? Im his lawfully wedded wife. Ive seen you with my husband, and here you are, putting on airs, instead of simply apologising and disappearing in shame. Though, thats what decent people would do, but clearly, that isnt you.

She surveyed her rival, calculating. You know how many like you hes had? There arent enough fingers on both hands to count. Getting involved with a married manabsolutely shameless! Hes a hunter, you see? For him, youre just a passing fancy. Hell have his fun, then leave you out in the cold. Best stay away from him.

Oh, and by the by, we have two daughters. I could show you our family portrait. Olivia produced a faded seaside snapshot and pushed it into Bettys stunned hands. There! Proof of our happy family. Lookthats us in Brighton two months ago

Betty remained silent.

Well, what do you want from me? Sort out your own marriage! she blurted back.

I will, dont fret! He only started at the factory recently. The pay is excellent, and then along you come and make trouble for us. Leave him be. Dont cling to promisesFreddys not about to leave. Dont waste your time. How old are you? Thirty?

Twenty-five! Betty replied, wounded.

All the more so. Time enough yet to wed and bear your own children. Just keep away from Freddy.

Betty could listen no longer. Her legs leaden, she walked away, the wifes words tearing through the pink mist of hope and dreams shed cherished.

Traitor Betty murmured. Her throat tightened, but she had to keep her feelings privateno public displays, she didnt want the factory whispers to grow any louder.

That evening, Freddy turned up at her room, all smiles and with a bouquet. Though her eyes were red and puffy, she sent him away despite his oath of endless love and promises to divorce Oliviaafter all, they hadnt been a couple in any real sense for years, so he said.

For a fortnight, Betty drifted, numb. Freddy no longer troubled her, only turning away if they crossed paths at work.

Misfortune, when it comes, comes in pairs. Morning sickness and dizziness, at first blamed on nerves, soon forced Betty to realize: her naive and reckless love had taken root.

Six weeks along, sounded like a sentence.

Betty couldnt imagine being a single mum. It terrified herthe glances at work seemed all to know and judge, as if they were aware shed been foolish enough to trust a man she never truly knew.

Freddy had hidden his marriage. What was she meant to do, demand proof of identity on their first date? The absence of a ring meant little; not every married man wears one.

And why hadnt she questioned him, when he insisted their relationship remain secret at work?

Hed lied, and her ignorance brought no comfort. Soon, the gossip at the factory grew, as Olivias showdown became an open secret.

Im pregnant, Betty confessed, cornering Freddy at lunch in sheer desperation.

Ill give you some moneysort it out, he muttered and walked off.

The next morning, Freddy had vanished, his locker cleared. She would never see him again.

Betty knew she couldnt delay things much longer. Despite the doctors warning, she took the referral for the procedure. Now she sat on a chilly park bench, clutching the clinics note as if it might fly away.

In a hurry? asked a young man in a neat suit, dropping down beside her, arms overloaded with crimson chrysanthemums.

What? she asked, eyes hollow, staring at this sudden stranger.

Your watch is fast, he noted, pointing at her tiny gold timepiece.

Oh, it always runs ten minutes ahead, Im forever correcting it, makes no difference, she replied flatly, turning away.

The weather todays delightful, isnt it? Real Indian summer, my mothers favourite time of year. She says she made her best decision in life on a day like this, never regretted it.

He rattled on, a benevolent whirlwind beside her. My mumshes just ace, he laughed, holding up a thumb. I owe her everything, really.

And your dad? Betty found herself asking.

Never talks about him. I never ask. I can tell shed rather not remember.

Ive just come from a job interview, believe it or not. Out of ten candidates, they picked me for the positionall the others had years on me. Hard to fathom, really My mum always believed in me. First thing Ill do with my pay is get her a ticket to the seasideshes never seen the sea! You?

I havent, no. Betty gazed at him, her stare catching on his dark maroon tie.

He saw her looking. A present from mum! He smoothed the fabric proudly.

Sorry, Im probably boring you, but Im just bursting with happiness, and you look so sad… I thought, maybe, a stranger was what you needed. Am I bothering you?

She shook her head. To her surprise, he was the first person in days to break the grey monotony of her thoughts, his pride in his mother kindling her respect.

What devotion! she thought, watching and listening with a growing warmth. How lucky his mother is. Oh, to have a son like that

Well, Ill be offmums waiting dinner. Dont rush off yourself, alright?

Sorrywhat?

Im talking to your watch, he chuckled.

She smiled.

The young man disappeared into the distance, and Betty took out the referral, torn moments before shed been afraid to let it go, and tore it into tiny pieces. She sat on the bench a while, bewitched, breathing in the gold-tipped air of an autumn afternoon.

She didnt feel so alone anymore. That woman had raised such a good son by herself. Betty hadnt even caught his namebut that no longer mattered.

Shed made her choice.

***

Twenty-three years later

Mum, Im running late! Stan stood by the mirror as his mother nervously knotted the maroon tie shed bought yesterday for his crucial job interview.

Maybe you shouldnt bother…

Its for confidence. Trust me, youll seeeverything will be fine. Theyll pick youoh, look at you! She stepped back, proud as anything.

What if?

Its your spot, I feel it. Just answer straight, smile, youre irresistible.

Alright, Mum. Stan kissed her cheek and dashed out.

Betty watched her only son stride towards the bus stop. For a moment, a jolt like static ran through her. Somehow, shed seen this before

The lad in the park, over twenty years ago. Stans smart suit and maroon tie now shimmered with the echo of that long ago stranger.

How could that be? Had fate, in some deep, magic way, shown her once whose life she considered erasinga warning, a lesson that guided Betty onto her true path?

Why had she never asked his name, or his mothers? No matterit was meaningless now.

Everything had worked out perfectly.

Later that afternoon, Stan came home, arms overflowing with maroon chrysanthemums and newshed got the job.

He promised his mother that theyd go to the coast together at lastshed never seen the sea. Now the time had come: he could care for his beloved mum, would move mountains and turn back rivers for her. Thats the kind of son Betty had.

Whatever troubles beset them across those years, shed find solace pressing her face into his sweet-smelling hair. Together they had weathered storms and carried each other through.

Betty never once regretted her choice. Shed done what was right for herself.

So let it be.