**Everyone Stumbles, Not Everyone Gets Back Up**
*”Emily, where will you find another man like that? You can always divorce later. A married woman is always in demand. The responsibility falls on the husbanda man with no strings attached has all the freedom in the world. Enjoy the fool of a mistress while you can. But if you end up alone, no one will look twice at you. Especially with Oliver growing up. He needs his real father, not some stranger. Theres no logic in what youre doing.”* I was genuinely trying to talk sense into my childhood friend.
But I knew I was speaking to thin air. Emily had already made up her mind.
Life often forces us to choose. There are always two pathsthe right one and every other. But who opens the right doors and closes the wrong ones? Sometimes, even the soundest advice falls on deaf ears. We learn from our own mistakes. The wisdom of generations means nothing. Then come the tears, the regret, the endless slump of depression.
I have two close friendsEmily and Olivia. Weve known each other since childhood. Emily is the girl next door; Olivia, a schoolmate. We know everything about each other, as only the closest can.
The three of us are so different that I end up seeing Emily and Olivia separately. Once, I tried bringing them together, but no luck. My friends are like night and day.
*”How can you stand that overdressed doll? What could you possibly talk about? Nothing but designer labels and married men,”* Emily hissed after meeting Olivia.
*”Your friends neckline plunges past her navel. A proper tart, isnt she? Eyes always hunting for a man with a fat wallet. That smile of hers? Fake. All for show. And that botched plastic surgery is obvious.”* Emily scoffed, scrutinising Olivia.
Their first meeting was their last. The girls night out was ruined. I never tried again.
Over the years, weve had it allfights, misunderstandings, reconciliations, months of sulking silence, you name it.
Now were all in our forties. Emily has a son; Olivia, a daughter.
Emily divorced her husband, James, years ago. It all started so romantically.
They met at a café. Back then, James was married, raising a daughter. Emily wasand isstriking, unforgettable. Men still turn their heads when she walks by. She graduated from art school, sews her own bold, daring outfits. She dreamed of her own business, a solid marriage, a loving husband.
And she had it alluntil it melted away like snow in the sun. Worseshe was the one who let it slip. Emily never waited for green lights. She preferred charging ahead on amber.
James, swept up, divorced his wife without a second thought. They had a lavish wedding. Then came the routine. James adored Emily. He was eighteen years older, treating her like a cherished daughter. He called her *”Mouse.”*
*”Mouse, want a trip to Paris? Done. A new car? No problem. The latest sewing machine? Here. Lip fillers? Ill pay!”*
Every whim granted, as if by magic.
Of course, James wasnt a saint (saints dont walk this earth). He had his complaintswhy wasnt dinner ready? Why was the flat a mess? Why was his shirt wrinkled? But Emily would kiss him deeply, and hed fall silent. Hed fry his own eggs, vacuum, heat the iron
Emily was his third wife. Maybe thats why he feared losing her, overlooking every domestic flaw.
She gave birth to Oliver. James worshipped the boy. But Emily? She never quite warmed to motherhood. She slipped away more often, leaving Oliver with James or his mother.
With her looks, temptation was never far. And as her closest friend, I knew every fling. James suspected, but stayed silent. *”Shes so much youngermaybe she just needs more love,”* the betrayed husband reasoned.
After eight years of marriage, the cracks began to show. They always do. But not every couple navigates them.
By then, Emily had her own thriving business. She stood on her own two feet. And so she decided she didnt need James anymore.
She left, taking Oliver. Rented a flat, settled in.
*”I hate James. Hes useless in bed. I hope any woman takes him off my hands. Maybe then hell leave me and Oliver alone.”*
Well, as they say, a woman always gets her way.
Oliver became the battleground. He loved both parents equally. But Emily, the businesswoman, was always busy. At his fathers, life was calmerand there was a doting grandmother. He moved in with James.
Emily was torn between work and her son, but she refused to change. James called endlessly, begged, manipulated. But Emily was firm.
*”The bridge is burned. Full stop, no commas.”*
She was young, beautiful, free. Then came another mana colleague. Married, two kids. But Emily didnt care.
*”If his wife cant keep him, thats her problem. Ill borrow him awhile. Hell survive.”*
She jetted off with himGermany, Greece. It was all whirlwind romance.
Then, after six months, she returned him. James still called, pleaded. Emily was sick of it.
She met Daniel. Same age, single. Love sparked. He moved in. At first, it seemed fineuntil she realised he liked a drink too much. And jobs? Never lasted.
*”Vicky, I think Ive taken in a freeloader with a drinking problem,”* Emily confessed.
*”Kick him out, now! Hes latched onto you like a tick,”* I urged.
Then an old classmate called. *”Emily would you mind if I married James? Im so happy with him.”*
*”Hope you walk the same road forever,”* Emily replied coolly.
Now, shes alone. Olivers nineteen. He wont speak to her. She callshe hangs up. Once, he answered.
*”Dads new wife raised me. Focus on your business, Mum. Stop calling.”*
—
Olivia, at least, had the sense to weather her crisis.
She met William on holiday in Spain. He was there with a frienddespite having a wife. Ill never understand spouses who let each other wander into temptation alone. Why invite disaster?
Anyway, Olivia announced her wedding. The holiday fling became reality. They celebrated in two citiesWilliam was from out of town. Olivia moved in with him. We saw less of each other, but we talked often. So I knew all the ups and downs.
William adored her. He built a grand house, filled it with luxuries, bought two cars. They had a daughter, Sophie. Olivia barely lifted a finger. Clothes, shoes, cosmeticsonly the finest.
She earned another degree, but why work? William provided. She focused on herself and Sophie.
At first, she missed home. But time passed. She made new friends, settled in.
Youd think shed be happy. Not quite.
Seven years in, she wanted a divorce. *”The loves gone. Its dead.”*
Her parents, Williams mother, William himselfall bewildered. Olivia spent months at her childhood home, refusing to return.
*”William bores me to tears. My hearts ice. And his roses? All thorns. They prick my hands.”*
*”Youre spoiled rotten. Roses irritate you now? Watch outsomeonell snatch him before you blink.”*
Olivias stunning, polished. A woman who knows her worth. But Williams jealousy suffocated her.
For two years, they teetered. Thenreconciliation.
William still works like mad to give them everything. The Maldives, Venice, ItalyOlivias seen them all.
Once, she admitted to me: *”I nearly lost the most important person”*
