The Journey to Happiness: A New Beginning for Two Lovers
Helen raced toward the man she loved, her heart soaring as if carried by wings. At last, her son had finished secondary school and been accepted to university. Now, she and her husband could finally live together after years of waiting.
The very day she sent her son off, she bought a bus ticket and left for John. Their marriage had lasted only two years, but they had known each other as if it were a lifetime.
Their love hadnt been easy. A rough start, countless trialsyet fate had promised them a future together. At least, Helen was certain of it.
Theyd met eight years ago, just as she was recovering from her divorce from her first husband, Mark. Back then, she had built walls, letting no one closeuntil John. Even with him, she had been hesitant at first. He had to fight to prove he wasnt like her ex.
Six months of dating led to moving in together. John had settled in her homehis tiny flat wouldve been cramped for the whole family. Helen had a ten-year-old son, well-behaved but slow to warm to his stepfather.
After three years, John began talking about marriage. Helen wasnt keen. To her, a certificate changed nothing. It wouldnt shield her from betrayal, whether she was man or woman.
She was happy as things wereno need for change.
John had respected her choice until he realised it wasnt enough. He wanted Helen as his wife in every sense. Eventually, he gave an ultimatum: marry or part ways.
Helen hated the pressure. She chose to walk away.
For six months, they were apart. John moved to another city where a friend offered him a well-paid job. He visited his parents only once every couple of months. On one such trip, he saw Helen again.
She was strolling through the park, radiant, carefreeuntil their eyes met.
In that gaze, he saw everything he felt himself. She still loved him. And she couldnt hide it.
They rekindled their relationshipthis time, long-distance. Sometimes she visited him; other times, he came to her. Every meeting was planned carefully, yet each was filled with warmth and passion.
They saw each other monthly, sometimes twice if lucky. John had often begged her to move in. Hed bought a two-bedroom flat in his city, though he was still paying off the mortgage.
Helen longed to say yes, but life held her back. Her son was a teenager needing guidance. Her mother, ill, required care. For two years, Helen nursed her back to health.
“Youve got years left!” the doctor had cheerfully declared at her mothers discharge.
Margaret hadnt kept her daughter tied down, but Alex was entering his final school years. Hed begged her not to uproot him before graduation. Shed had to compromise.
The summer before Alexs A-levels, Helen and John finally married. Seeing the joy it brought him, she regretted not agreeing soonerbut regrets were pointless.
Now, they werent just meeting. Their marriage was a weekend affairif not for the hundreds of miles between them.
And now, Alex had been accepted to university. Helen was proudand free to reshape her own life. She hadnt told John she was moving in. She wanted to surprise him.
He suspected, but didnt know when.
Helen packed her bags, boarded the bus, and set off to him. She wanted this day etched into his memory forever. She imagined slipping into lace, scattering rose petals, preparing dinnerwaiting for him to return from work.
Lost in these thoughts, the bus carried her forward. She was sure John would be overjoyed.
Instead, the surprise was hers.
She unlocked his flatand froze.
A pair of striking blue eyes stared backa stunning redhead, young and beautiful.
“Who are you?” Helen demanded.
“Im Violet. Ohyou must be Helen. Sorry, Ill leave!”
“Leave? What do you mean? Who *are* you?”
“Please, dont be angry. Im your husbands girlfriend.”
“His *what*?”
Helen shut the door softly, leaving behind the life shed believed insteeling herself to walk forward, alone.
