Natalie, You’ve Been Gone for Five Years—You Never Cared How I Was or What Became of Me Natalie and Ben had lived together for over five years. Ben didn’t earn a fortune—he was an ordinary labourer on a modest wage. Natalie had always dreamed of a comfortable, ideally wealthy, life, so she found herself drawn to men who had more money than her husband. One day, lady luck seemed to smile on Natalie: she caught the eye of a rich businessman who promised her the world. Swayed by his persuasive words, she abandoned her struggling husband to start a new life. Ben was shattered by his wife’s actions. He pleaded with her, vowing to change, promising a better job and a life of hard work—all so she’d stay. But Natalie had her sights set on luxury yachts and shopping in Europe’s most exclusive boutiques—things Ben would never be able to provide. No declaration of love or wild promises could change her mind. Five years later, at thirty-two, Natalie’s wealthy man had lost interest—after all, he had his pick of younger, more alluring women. He dismissed her as argumentative and demanding. With no income and no experience of working for herself, Natalie decided to return to Ben—after all, hadn’t he sworn eternal love, claiming his heart belonged to her forever? Surely, he’d be waiting for her. But as Natalie approached her former home, she heard a rustle at the door. A stranger opened it, holding a little girl. “Darling, how many times have we said you’re not to open the door alone?” the woman said softly to the child. “Who are you looking for?” she asked Natalie, who stood dumbstruck at the threshold. “I’m looking for Ben—Is he home?” Natalie stammered, bewildered. “Ben, there’s a woman here asking for you! What’s your name?” The stranger called, then turned to glance at Natalie. “Natalie!” Ben said in surprise before turning to the other woman. “Love, head inside, I need to talk.” “Who was that?” a stunned Natalie asked, watching the woman disappear with the little girl. “That’s my wife, Olivia, holding our daughter, Maisie,” Ben explained. “When did you get married? You have a daughter? You promised me you’d never love anyone like you loved me!” “So many years have passed! At first I was heartbroken, but I realised life goes on. Then I met Olivia and fell in love—she made me happy and gave me a daughter.” “And what about me?” “Natalie, you left five years ago and never cared how I was doing or what became of me. You chased after someone else’s money and the high life. We might never have been rich, but that doesn’t excuse what you did. Now you’re back? Did you really expect me to sit here waiting for you?” “I was a fool! I love you!” “Natalie, enough with the theatrics. Just go. I don’t want or need you. You’ve only returned because he dumped you, haven’t you? Pathetic! Please just leave.” Natalie burst into bitter tears, devastated that no one wanted her. Ben, for his part, was relieved he had moved on at last and, in a sense, had his closure.

Charlotte, youve been gone these five years nowand not once did you care how I managed, nor what became of me.

Charlotte and Edward had lived together for over five years. Edward never earned a fortune; his wages were meagre, just enough to get by, for he was but a humble labourer. Yet Charlotte always carried dreams of plenty, and even better, of wealth. She would be secretly delighted whenever she crossed paths with gentlemen of greater means than her husband.

One day, a twist of fate befell Charlotteshe caught the eye of a wealthy London merchant, a man who made grand promises of prosperity and luxury. Swayed by his persuasive words, she left her struggling husband behind, eager to begin a new, more lavish chapter.

Edward was wholly undone by Charlottes betrayal. Desperate, he pleaded at her feet, vowing hed change everything, swearing to find better work, to labour day and night if only she would stay. No promise was too great, hed said hed move mountains if thats what she desired.

But Charlotte had already set her sights on white sails on the Thames and shopping in Londons finest boutiques. Her poor husband, bless him, would never be able to afford such splendour. So all Edwards pledges and vows melted away before her dreams of riches.

Five long years passed, and Charlotte was by then thirty-two. By that time, the well-to-do gentleman had grown indifferent; dozens of younger, enchanting ladies now circled him. He told Charlotte she was quarrelsome and full of demands, and, just like that, all interest in her vanished.

Finding herself alone and wholly unprepared for the practicalities of life in the capital, for shed never worked a day in her life, Charlotte resolved to return to her former husband. She supposed, since hed once sworn undying love and claimed his heart would always belong to her, that surely he was waiting.

As she approached the doorstep of the flat theyd once shared, Charlotte heard quiet footsteps and a little rustle at the threshold. Presently, the door opened, and there stood a woman she did not know, holding a small girl in her arms.

My dear, weve discussed this so many timesyou mustnt open the door by yourself, said the unknown woman gently to the child. Then, turning to Charlotte, she inquired, May I help you? Who are you looking for? Charlotte simply gaped, lost for words.

Im looking for Edward. Is he home? she managed, uncertain and bewildered by it all.

The woman called into the flat, Edward, theres someone here asking after you. Whats your name? Then she turned a curious gaze upon Charlotte.

Charlotte! Edwards voice was tinged with disbelief as he spotted his former wife. He turned to the woman. Darling, would you take Mary inside? I need a moment.

As the woman walked away, Charlotte glanced after her and her daughter. Who was that? she asked, shocked.

Edward replied calmly, Thats my wife, Alice, and in her arms is our daughter, Mary.

Charlotte was flustered. Youve remarried? You have a daughter? You once promised youd love me forever, that no one could ever take my place in your heart.

Edward sighed, the years weighing in his tone. So much time has passed. When you left, I was inconsolable. But, eventually, I realised life does not stop when someone decides to walk away. Then I met Alice, and I truly found happiness againshes given me so much, including our daughter.

And what about me? Charlotte murmured.

Charlotte, youve been gone for five years. You didnt once wonder how I was, nor what might become of me. You left chasing after anothers fortune, thinking only of grander things and an easier life. We may never have been rich, but nothing excused what you did. And now you come back? Did you expect me to have been waiting for you all this time?

A tear slipped down Charlottes cheek. I was a fool, Edward. I still love you.

Enough, Charlotte. Best you go nowI neither need you nor want to see you. Your gentleman cast you aside, so now you come running back to me? Ive no stomach for it. Go on, kindly leave.

Charlotte wept bitter tears as she lefthurt to her core to find she was not wanted, while Edward felt a great relief that he had at last left her memory behind and found peace, if not a measure of justice, at last.