He Doesn’t Love You Anymore. Build Your Own Life Without Him! We’re Happy Together. You Must Admit It’s Not Right to Live Without Feelings. Mark Isn’t Leaving His Child—He’s Leaving You.

Leave me alone! cried Emily to Alice, whose cheeks were streaked with tears. Go and live your own lifewithout him!

But James is my husband. Were raising a daughter together. You cant build your happiness on someone elses misery.

Dont start with all that again! Theres no sense in living without love. Its not James leaving Lilyits you. I dont mind if he wants to see his child.

With those words, Emily turned on her heel and left. That evening, James made his decision. He packed his things and walked out on Alice. She pleaded with him to come to his senses and reconsider, but he was resolute. Alices mind swirledwhy was this woman better than her?

I simply cant stay with you any longer. I dont care for you the way I care for Emily. With her, I feel alive.

Months passed. At first, Alice felt utterly lost. She could hardly carry on, but eventually she realised she mustfor her daughters sake, if not her own. Lily was growing, and Alice, trained as an accountant, knew she had to provide for them both.

She sought work and managed to arrange an interview for a bookkeepers position. The companys director, Mr Charles, took a kindly interest in her. He was struck by her sense of responsibility and eagerness to better herself. Alices mother graciously agreed to mind little Lily while Alice worked, which was a great relief.

So, Alice threw herself into her career and put her personal life firmly on hold. Years of diligence saw her promoted, first to a senior role and later working alongside Mr Charles as his deputy.

The only man Alice spoke with regularly was her boss, Frank. He was unfailingly considerate and courteous, and she couldnt deny she felt a certain sympathy for him. She knew, however, that Frank had a wife and children of his own, and Alice had promised herself she would never again be the cause of another familys suffering.

Frank, however, made no secret of his growing affection. One day, he openly told Alice that he had long been in love with her and was prepared to leave his wife, assuring her he would never neglect his own children.

Alices past made her wary; she remembered well the heartbreak shed endured and the words shed once spoken to her husbands lover: You cant build your happiness on someone elses pain.

Yet Frank was persistent. Their working relationship gradually transformed into something deeper. Frank kept telling Alice that his marriage had been a mistake from the outset; he and his wife had brought each other nothing but indifference. Still, Alice stood her ground. Shed overheard snippets of Franks conversations with his wife, and knew all too well what the woman was facing. Alice couldnt bring herself to tear their home apart.

She knew, one day, she would have to face Franks wife. That day came unexpectedly, as she was leaving the office. Seeing a woman striding towards her, Alice immediately guessed her identity.

The woman halted, shocked, as if robbed of all expression.

Are you Alice? she asked, voice trembling.

Yes, its me, Alice replied quietly. Emily stood before her.

She began to plead with Alice, insisting she had been right all along. You cant build your life on someone elses sorrow.

Remember what you once told me? Alice said, her tone icy.

Yes, Emily admitted, bowing her head. I was wrong to take your husband from you. In the end, everything comes back around. I beg youplease, dont take Frank from me. Ive never loved anyone as much as him. Hes the reason I left JamesI simply cant go on without Frank. Youve stood in my place before; you know the torment. Please, understand me. You have a daughteryou must know how it feels.

Enough! Alice exclaimed, unable to bear more.

Alice did not seek revenge, even against someone like Emily. Yet, Frank argued that they too deserved happiness.

Alice, if I stay with her, well all be miserableyou, me, and Emily. My feelings for her have never measured up. I was compelled by her persistence. One way or another, our marriage would have ended.

Alice pondered it all carefully. She realised Frank would only be unhappy with Emily, and if he remained with his wife, Alice herself would never be at peace. In the end, she decided to give happinessher happinessa chance.