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Betrayal, Shock, and Secrets: A Gripping Tale of Hidden Truths

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Betrayal, Shock, and a Mystery

Natalie was preparing dinner when there was a knock at the door. “Odd,” she thought. “We have a doorbell, and all our friends know that.” She opened the door to find a woman about her own age staring back at her curiously.

“Good evening. Are you Natalie?” the stranger asked.

“Yes. And you are?” Natalie replied, frowning slightly.

“Oh, you wouldnt know me. Im a close friend of your husbands.”

“Olivers?”

“Ollies,” the woman corrected with a soft smile.

“Ah, of course. I suppose I shouldnt be surprised you call him that. Ive grown used to it, though I must say, usually the women he sees dont just show up unannounced. They call first. So, what should I call you?”

“My names Helen. Look, the thing is”

“Oh, dont fret, Helen! So you and my husband are in love, is that it? And Im in the way of your happiness?”

“How did you?”

“Lets just say youre not the first to say so. But dont worry, I wont stand in his way. Youre welcome to take him today. Whats his excuse this time? That our children are still young and he cant abandon them?”

“No, nothing like that. I know your boys are grownuniversity students.”

“Ah. Then is it that Im ill, and hes staying out of some noble sense of duty?” She gestured to herself. “As you can see, Im perfectly healthy.”

“No, he never mentioned that either.”

“Well, what then? Did he claim his job would be at risk if he divorced? Because I assure you, his boss couldnt care less about his employees marital status.”

Helen hesitated. “No He said we had to wait until your father passes.”

Natalie froze. Her father wasnt even seventy, still in excellent health, with no plans of leaving this world anytime soon.

“You must be mistaken.”

“No, Im not. Oliver said once your father was gone, hed leave you immediately.”

“And why not sooner? Did he say he was afraid of my dad? Because I promise you, Dad wouldnt lift a finger against him.”

“Oh no, nothing like that. Oliver respects him. But he said once your fathers gone, youd move into his flat.”

“Excuse me? How dare he! My father is fit as a fiddle, and I have no intention of moving from my home! This flat was mine before we married, and I wont be handing it over.”

Helen blinked. “But Oliver said the flat would go to him, and youd take the summer house, the car, and the garage instead.”

“Did he now? And yet here you are, not waiting for any of that to happen. Why come to me today?”

Helen sighed. “Im not getting any younger, and I want to enjoy happiness while I can. It doesnt matter to me if Oliver has a flat or notwe could live at mine.”

“How practical. So what do you want from me?”

“Just let him go. Thats all.”

Natalie smiled. “Take him.”

“I beg your pardon?”

“Im not keeping him. I never did, though Ill admit, I used to love him. For a while, I told myself hed settle down. Later, I thought the boys needed their father. Lately, I hadnt noticed any suspicious behaviour, so I assumed his little adventures had stopped. Seems I was wrong.”

Helen shifted uncomfortably. “Clearly. So youll really let him go?”

“Absolutely. In fact, you can take his things with you now if you like.”

“Oh no, I couldnt carry them. Oliver can fetch them himself when hes ready. Just promise you wont change your mind.”

“Dont worry. Ill file for divorce tomorrow and let the courts divide our assets fairlythough I wont be giving him the flat. It was my grandmothers, and the renovations were paid for by my parents. Dad kept all the receiptshes meticulous like that. But youve got your own place, so its fine.”

Helen nodded. “Yes, Oliver wont be homeless.”

“Im not concerned. Hes always landed on his feet.”

“Goodbye, Natalie.”

“Goodbye, Helen. Lets hope we never meet again.”

As Helen left, Natalie began packing Olivers things. She had no intention of arguing with himshe knew exactly how to make him leave on his own. Hed assume, as always, that he could return whenever he pleased. But not this time.

*”To think hed wait for my father to die so he could take my home The nerve! And its my fault for tolerating his affairs all these years. Well, no more. Off you go, Oliver. Live long and well, whatever.”*

When Oliver returned from work, he noticed nothing unusualexcept that Natalie refused to join him for dinner. Not that he cared. A good meal, then his usual “evening stroll,” and hed be back home as if nothing had happened.

“Darling, thanks for dinner. Think Ill go for a walk,” he said, stretching.

*”Oh, by all means, go,”* Natalie thought.

“Of course, dear. Walkings good for men your age.”

Oliver frowned. “My age? Whats that supposed to mean?”

“Well, youre over fifty now. Not exactly a spring chicken.”

“What? Im in my prime!”

“Are you? Because we havent shared a room in a year.”

“So?”

“Just saying, these things happen at your age. Though Petermy friendhes your age and doing just fine. Hes been saying how much he misses me lately.”

“Peter? Who the hell is Peter?”

“Oh, darling. When you moved into the spare room, I realised I still had needs. Youre past all that, but Im still a vibrant woman. So I met Peter.”

Olivers face darkened. “Youre having me on.”

“Not at all. Youve been absent as a husband for a yearmore like a flatmate. But dont worry, I feel sorry for you. So go for your walk, clear your head, and well figure things out later.”

“*Sorry* for me? A woman who thinks Im old has no place in my life! I couldve forgiven you for this Peter nonsensethese things happen. But pity? Never. Pack my things. Dont expect me to forgive you.”

“Theyre already packed. If I missed anything, call me and Ill send it along. Go in peace. I suppose you wont object to the divorce?”

“Divorce? Why would I? But dont think youre getting everything!”

“Oh, I wouldnt dream of it. Though I doubt you remember much these days.”

“Whats that supposed to mean?”

“For instance, youve forgotten this flat was never yours.”

Oliver scoffed. “I lived here twenty-five years!”

“How lucky for you. Renovations paid for by my parents, holidays timed so youd miss the mess. Dad kept all the paperwork. Legally, youve no claim.”

Olivers jaw tightened. “Fine. But in court, Ill get whats mine.”

“Oh, you will. The car, the garageall yours. The summer house goes to me. Now off you go. Start fresh with someone who thinks youre young and virile.”

Snatching a bag, Oliver stormed out. Helen would welcome him with open arms.

The next day, Natalie filed for divorce. Oliver didnt contest it. Helen doted on him, assuring him he was still young and full of life. The court awarded him the car and garage; Natalie kept the summer house.

She sold it and set off on travels with her fatherfirst to Edinburgh, then Brighton, then beyond. At seventy, Arthur Fitzpatrick was in fine health, with no plans of departing anytime soon.

Six months later, Helen noticed Olivers “evening strolls” were lasting longer. She packed his bags and left them outside. When he returned, she wouldnt even open the door.

So Oliver turned up at Natalies. He didnt care if she thought him oldhe just needed a room.

But the neighbours said shed gone travelling again.

With nowhere else to go, Oliver trudged to his garage. He could wire it for lights, maybe install a stove. Summer was cominghed manage.

Or perhaps hed find some naive young thing. After all, he was still a virile man.

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