One day, Mark caught himself envying Eleanor. Her calm, her poise, her dignity—all of it now seemed unattainable. He remembered how she had supported him through tough times, how she had solved problems without shouting or drama, how she had handled their daughter’s childhood illnesses. Back then, he had taken it for granted, not realizing he was with a woman of rare fortitude. Now, looking at Amber, he saw her opposite: demanding, hysterical, and desperate for validation and material proof of love.
The divorce had only strengthened Eleanor’s name. In the eyes of their acquaintances, she was a woman who had navigated a difficult situation with grace. She was respected by both men and women. She never stooped to public accusations or fueled the scandal. She simply demonstrated her strength through her actions. Mark, on the other hand, was trapped. He couldn’t leave Amber—the child bound him to her. But staying meant facing daily reproaches, arguments, and endless demands. His world, once full of plans and projects, had shrunk to the size of an apartment where, instead of partners and negotiations, he was met with the tired eyes of a greedy young woman and the cries of an infant.
Three years flew by, but for each of them, they brought vastly different outcomes.
Eleanor led a balanced and harmonious life. After the divorce, she allowed herself to pause and reflect on what she truly wanted. A chance meeting with a renowned chemist, whom she had hired to help design a scientific presentation, turned out to be an unexpected gift. He was a quiet, thoughtful man, devoid of any bravado. His words were clear, his actions consistent. He had no desire to dominate or deceive, only a deep respect for people and a devotion to his life’s work. Their conversations started with work but gradually evolved into walks, shared evenings, and weekend trips. He knew how to listen to Eleanor without interrupting, and she cherished his ability to find beauty in simple things: in lab experiments, in books, in unhurried conversations over tea. Their marriage, a modest affair without a lavish reception or long speeches, became Eleanor’s safe harbor. She lived in a home filled with light and consideration, where each morning began with care, not suspicion.
Mark, however, found himself in a completely different reality. Amber was a source of endless grievances. Every word was a demand, every request an ultimatum. She created scenes over everything and nothing, berating him for the lack of money, complaining of exhaustion, and insisting she deserved more. The hysterics that were once occasional had become a daily routine. Amber would cry, scream, or dramatically pack her bags, threatening to leave, even though she knew Mark couldn’t afford another separation. He was tied to her by their sick child, and with that, a sense of guilt and the fear of another scandal. The domestic life Mark had never had to worry about with Eleanor now crushed him under its weight. The child needed constant attention, Amber demanded ever-increasing expenses, and the business, its reputation tarnished, brought in less and less income.
Chloe, Mark and Eleanor’s adult daughter, had cut off all contact with her father. She couldn’t forgive his betrayal and his choice to prioritize another woman over his own family. To her, Mark had lost the moral right to be in her life. All his attempts to reconnect were met with cold silence or polite refusal. And so, Mark was trapped in a bubble. His life was confined to a tight circle: a wife he didn’t trust and a child he hadn’t wanted but was now obligated to care for and support for the rest of his life. Mark lived as if in a windowless room, where the air was heavy and no light could get in. All he had left were endless thoughts of how things might have been if, at some point, he had made a different choice.
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