Michael found out about the wedding on social media and spent the evening in a dive bar, nursing cheap beers. The bartender just shook his head, listening to the drunken ramblings of the former businessman. That fall, a local high school held its 20-year reunion. Eleanor hesitated to go, but Susan convinced her.
“Show everyone the woman you’ve become,” her friend insisted. Eleanor chose an elegant black dress, had her hair and makeup professionally done. The woman looking back at her from the mirror was confident and successful.
In the school gymnasium, her former classmates had gathered. Some were doctors, some were teachers, some were business owners. They all looked at Eleanor with interest. Many remembered her as a quiet, shy girl. Now, she radiated an inner strength and dignity.
“Eleanor, you look amazing,” her old classmates told her. “Tell us what you’ve been up to.” A man who had sat next to her in chemistry class approached her. It was Alex Johnson. He was now a renowned cardiac surgeon, but he still had the same shy smile.
“Eleanor, do you remember me?” he asked. “Of course, Alex,” she replied warmly. “I heard you became a famous doctor.” He blushed, just like he used to in high school.
“And you became a successful CEO. I’ve read about you in the papers.” When a slow song started to play, Alex gathered his courage. “Eleanor, would you like to dance?”
She nodded, and they stepped onto the makeshift dance floor. “You know, I had a huge crush on you back then,” he confessed as they swayed to an old song. “Even now, after twenty years.” Eleanor smiled.
“Why didn’t you ever say anything?” He shrugged. “I was scared. You seemed out of my league. And now?” she asked, looking him in the eye.
“Now I realize that life is short, and you have to say how you feel,” Alex answered. Eleanor felt a warmth spread through her chest. After so many years of pain and disappointment, she was ready to believe in love again. “Maybe we could get coffee sometime?” he suggested.
“I’d love that,” she agreed. One year later. Eleanor stood on the balcony of the penthouse she had bought with the profits from her company. The city stretched out below, a tapestry of a million lights.
She held a glass of good wine and reflected on her journey. Her foundation had already helped hundreds of women. The business was thriving. Her personal life was healing. A young woman, Anna, a university student Eleanor was sponsoring through her foundation, joined her on the balcony.
The girl had been orphaned at fifteen, and Eleanor was helping her get an education. “Mom, are you happy?” Anna asked, giving her a hug. Eleanor considered the question. “Happiness is a complicated word.”
“I’m free,” she said at last. “And that’s more valuable than any happiness.” Anna didn’t fully understand, but she nodded. Eleanor continued to gaze at the city, where somewhere below, her ex-husband was living in a one-bedroom apartment; where Ashley was probably celebrating her one-year anniversary; where other women were enduring their own pain and betrayal.
But she was no longer one of them. The wind stirred her hair, and Eleanor smiled. Tomorrow she had an important meeting with investors, the day after was a charity auction, and on the weekend, she had a date with Alex. Her life was full of plans and possibilities.
She no longer depended on anyone, no longer waited for permission to be happy. Freedom, she had learned, was the most precious thing of all.
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