“Betrayal and a New Dawn: Mary’s Heartbreak”
“Sweetheart! I’m over the moon for you! Take care of yourself!” Mary gushed over the phone, her voice trembling with joy. After six years of marriage, her daughter, Emily, had finally announced she was expecting.
“Of course, Mum!” Emily laughed. “Honestly, we weren’t planning it, but since it’s happened—I’ll do my best to be as wonderful a mum as you!”
“You’ll be even better,” Mary replied, wiping away tears. After hanging up, she lingered with a smile before stepping forward—only for her grocery bags to go flying as she crashed onto the pavement.
“Are you alright, love?” a voice asked. A young woman knelt beside her, concern etched on her face.
“I think so…” Mary tried to stand, but a sharp pain shot through her leg.
“Let me help!” The girl wouldn’t budge.
With the stranger’s support, Mary got up but couldn’t walk. The girl—Lorraine—gathered the scattered groceries and helped her home. She lived in student digs nearby and worked as a checkout girl at the shop Mary had just left.
“My shift ended, and then I saw you,” Lorraine explained.
At home, she helped Mary out of her coat and unpacked the shopping. “At least let me make you tea!” Mary insisted, wanting to repay her kindness.
“Don’t mind if I do!” Lorraine grinned. “Haven’t eaten since breakfast.”
“Well, let’s fix that!”
“It’s a bit awkward…”
“Nonsense!” Mary waved her off—until she stood and winced. “Might be worse than I thought.”
“I’ve got this!” Lorraine guided her to the kitchen and, under Mary’s direction, whipped up a hearty stew. Soon, they were chatting like old friends.
“Mary, did you call an ambulance?” Her husband, Richard, appeared at the door. “Come on, I’ll drive you to hospital.”
With Lorraine’s help, he got Mary into the car. “Call if you need anything!” Lorraine called after them.
A broken ankle. “How did I manage that?” Mary grumbled. “Who’ll look after you now?”
“Am I a child?” Richard smirked. “The freezer’s packed with ready meals—I’ll cope.”
The next morning, Lorraine arrived unasked. “No chores! I’ll handle everything,” she declared. “You need rest, not running about. I’m no Michelin chef, but I can cook and clean!”
“This is too much,” Mary protested. “You barely know us.”
“Who’s keeping score?” Lorraine brushed her off. “I’ve got free time—what else would I do?”
“You’re young! Don’t you have a social life?”
“Clubbing and lads?” She laughed. “Not my scene!”
Her help became routine. Even picky Richard praised her roasts and pies. “You’ll spoil me,” Mary joked. “I won’t want to heal!”
“Oh no, you’re recovering!” Lorraine teased. “I might have a sweetheart soon. Might have to leave you.”
“For good?” Mary’s heart sank.
“Not sure. He’s serious, but we might live apart.”
“Will I ever see you?”
“Life’s full of surprises,” Lorraine shrugged.
Once Mary healed, she planned a romantic dinner—candles, her best dress. Richard was late again, blaming work chaos at his construction supply firm.
Then laughter echoed in the hall. “Lorraine?” Mary’s smile faded. She stepped out and froze. “Surprise!” Lorraine beamed, clinging to Richard’s arm. “Meet my beau—though you know him already.”
“Richard. Explain.” Mary’s voice shook. Cold dread washed over her—this wasn’t a nightmare.
“Mary, it just happened,” he mumbled. “I fell for her. We’re expecting. I hope you’ll understand.”
“What?” She collapsed into a chair. Whispers, then Richard returned. “No scenes, love. We’re adults. You’ll find someone.”
Thirty years, gone. While she was hurt, they’d betrayed her. Memories flashed—Lorraine serving him dinner, their giggles, his “late shifts.” How blind she’d been.
“When are you leaving? The flat’s mine—I bought it before we wed. Lorraine and I need it.”
“You bought it for us.”
“That’s over. Stay with Emily—she’ll need Grandma soon.”
“When did you become this cruel?” Mary packed a bag and left, the air thick with betrayal.
* * *
“Mum, seriously?” Emily huffed. “Uncle Oliver and Victor will be here soon—get dressed!”
Six months at Emily’s had dulled the pain, though her daughter and son-in-law, James, had been her rock.
Victor, Oliver’s friend, seemed gruff at first—too loud, too stern. But when he asked her for a stroll, Emily’s nudge made her agree.
He surprised her—well-read, witty. Their walks became a ritual, his knock at the door a comfort.
When Emily had her baby, Victor proposed. “I can’t leave her,” Mary fretted.
“Neither will I,” he said. “Found a cottage. It’ll be ours after the wedding.”
* * *
“Mum!” Emily burst in. “I tried to stop him.”
Richard stood there, wretched. “Mary, she lied! No baby. She took the flat—forged loans.”
Mary checked the clock. Victor would arrive any minute.
“Forgive me! Let’s start fresh!”
“You stopped being mine the day you chose her.” She grabbed a bouquet. “Excuse me—I’ve a wedding to attend.”
As Richard watched from the window, a flower-strewn car pulled up. A tall man stepped out, arms open for Mary—his wife no longer.
