Are you familiar with the terrible feeling that you get when your own home turns into a combat zone? Let’s hope not. However, I experienced it on a daily basis. A knot of dread would form in my chest each and every morning when I got up.
Some days were peaceful, but the silence had the feeling of a storm rumbling in the background.
On other occasions, something unique would go wrong, and I was always aware of the person responsible for it. This is Beatrice.
Even just hearing her name made my stomach turn. I’d never encountered anybody who was that icy and unyielding.
Due to the passing of my mother, Owen and I decided to relocate to this house. The intention was for it to be a new beginning. But there was never any peace. No, since Beatrice is right next door.
She acted toward me as if I were an intruder from the very beginning. Only a few words were exchanged with Owen. He was not apparent to her at all. However, she seemed to take pleasure in making my life a living nightmare.
As if my flower beds were his sandbox, she allowed her unkempt dog to tear through them like it was his own.
The only reason she cut down my cherished oak tree was because a few branches had crossed the boundary between our property.
At six o’clock in the evening, when we were grilling steaks, she contacted the police, saying that we were the ones who were disturbing the peace. It’s six o’clock! That is done by who?
My control seemed to be slipping away from me. Having the knowledge that the flowers would be damaged, I stopped planting fresh ones.
The worst of it, however, occurred on a bright and beautiful afternoon while I was weeding and enjoying the unusual stillness.
Instantaneously, a torrent of water struck me with such force that I dropped my trowel. It continued to come.
As if someone were pouring buckets of water over me over and over again, I was completely wet. And then I noticed the hose. The source of the sound was Beatrice’s backyard.
It’s Beatrice! Those vile scumbags! “Stop using it!!!” As the water splashed all over my face, I yelled.
The stream came to a halt. I stood there, drenched in sweat and shaking with exasperation. Beatrice acted as if she were innocent as she glanced over the fence.
“Oh, Ellen,” she said in a tone that was rather sweet. “I was not able to spot you there.”
Don’t tell a lie! I cried out. You had a complete understanding of what you were doing!
She gave a shrug. Simply said, it’s water. You will become dry.”
As I stared, I was mesmerized. Then, as if I were nothing, she disappeared behind the gate and disappeared.
I rushed inside, water dripping down onto the floor as I did so. I was soaked with sweat, and my clothing were clinging to me.
From his seat on the couch, Owen looked up. What exactly took place with you?
“Beatrice was the answer!” It was a snap. “Examine her in person. You did, in fact, reside in close proximity to her, no?
According to him, “That does not mean that we were close.”
I don’t give a damn. Take some action. All of this is over with me!
Owen felt a sigh. “Why don’t you just do it? Get rid of the house. Begin from scratch. Possibly, we could turn a profit. Even some ads have been located by me.”
It was me that interrupted him. “No, no!” I’m not going to give her permission to kick me out of my house!
“However, Ellen—”
“No, no!” An end to the conversation! My indignation and the cold caused me to rush to the bathroom, where I washed off my anger.
Beatrice was never confronted by Owen, however. Despite my repeated inquiries, he never failed to provide an explanation.
He asserted that he was just too busy. To tell the truth, he had been working late quite a bit. There was a possibility that it was connected to retirement planning.
Nearing the age of fifty, he. I was the same way. Maybe he had some thoughts that he wasn’t quite ready to share.
Never in my life did I suspect anything else. I wasn’t some nervous first-time bride at all. I had faith in him.
Still, he persisted in his efforts to relocate. On multiple occasions. Whenever he said, “We ought to sell,” This location is not worth the trouble.” However, I felt as though I was at home there.
Beatrice’s son, Michael, was just about to knock on the door when I happened to see him. Despite carrying a suitcase, he appeared to be fatigued.
When he saw me standing near the garden, he greeted me with, “Good afternoon, Ellen.” My question is, “How are you doing?”
I made a cross with my arms. “If your mother would just leave me alone, I would be perfectly fine.”
Strong sighs came from Michael. It is true. No, I’m sorry. I’ll give it another shot at chatting to her.
“No problem,” I replied. “I really hope that it works.”
It seemed incomprehensible to me how someone like Beatrice could have produced such a sweet and polite individual as Michael.
He never failed to extend a friendly greeting to me. He was attentive. Even so, he made an effort to be of assistance. The numbers did not add up. Possibly, he inherited his father’s traits.
I had never had the opportunity to meet the man. Nobody else was available to them. Neighbors only spoke in hushed tones about him.
They asserted that he deserted Beatrice when she was carrying her child. My belief was in it. It is possible that someone will leave because of her actions.
However, it was not appropriate. A lady should never be abandoned in such a manner by a man. A child is entitled to have a father. Better was deserving of Michael.
After preparing a cup of tea for myself, I went outside and entered the garden. It was a calm atmosphere. I yearned for tranquility.
There was still Owen at work, and I desired to have a peaceful evening by myself. Taking a sip of my tea, I sat down next to my flowers. I then became aware of her voice.
As Beatrice peered over the fence, she announced, “My Michael has received a significant promotion.” Additionally, he is engaged.
“Congratulations,” I said, raising my cup without looking at her when I made the announcement.
She did not slow down. “It must be difficult for you. Not a single child. It is not possible to rejoice.
Her words struck a chord deep within. He was aware that they would. She never failed to bring it up. She desired for me to experience less.
I stood up. Beatrice, you are hell on earth! I made a yell. My chest was tense, and my eyes were burning as I marched inside.
My entire life, I had fantasized about becoming a mother. I saw myself holding a baby, seeing them develop, and imparting all of my knowledge to them.
However, Owen continued to delay. There is always a case. “Not yet,” he would respond. “We are unable to afford it.” Maybe the following year.” From one year to the next, I waited.
I had faith in him. I believed that he had the most knowledge. Then, one day, I came to the realization that I was almost fifty years old. It was after the fact.
That was the thing I regretted the most. I ought to have exerted more effort. I have spoken up. But at this point, it was over. There are no children. There is no going back.
Following that, I went to the farmers’ market the following morning. Owen stated that he would remain at home.
When I got back, his automobile was nowhere to be found. At the same time as I checked the mailbox, I put away the groceries.
A plain white envelope with no name was found among the many invoices and flyers.
I did so on the porch of the house. You must be aware of the truth about your husband, according to the little message that was enclosed. A time and location were listed below. There is nothing else.
I took a look around. There is no one about. My heart was beating quite fast. Is it the sender? Why at this time?
In the evening, when Owen arrived home, I informed him that I needed to run some errands. After that, I went out to find out the truth.
The gathering was scheduled to take place in a small park close to our home. A bench was waiting for me when I arrived early.
I felt a thumping in my chest. In an effort to determine who had sent the note, I looked about the neighborhood.
After that, I came across her. This is Beatrice. With a gloomy expression on her face and a steady gait, she approached.
“So you were the one who did this?” I inquired while standing. “Now, what is it that you want?”
With a tone that was steady and low, she spoke to me and said, “It’s time you knew the truth.”
“Knew what was going on? A different game? A further lie? I am unable to devote my time to this.”
“Owen was there! He has left your residence. His vehicle was occupied by a young lady. And then he gave her a kiss.
I blinked my eyes. It is not. I know you’re lying.
Taking out her phone, she opened it. What am I? She demonstrated the screen to me. And it was Owen. Within his automobile. A young woman is being kissed.
Looked at me. “No… He wouldn’t do that… He wouldn’t treat me in such a manner.
Beatrice made a head shake motion. “Do you have any expectations? If a man cheats now, he will cheat again in the future.
“I have never been cheated on by him,” I stated. The sound of my voice was feeble.
Not on your part. However, he cheats in the past. It was you who stole him from another person.
It is unclear what you are referring about. With my heart racing, I inquired.
“Do you even have any idea why I despise you?”
“I am completely clueless. Since the day we moved in together, you have held a deep-seated hatred for me.
“Don’t act like you’re not! My son is now without a father because of you!
“What is it? After a period of four years, I finally got to know you! I made a yell.
Someone stole Owen away from me! After he left, I was expecting a child. It is because of you that he departed!
I became numb. “Hold on… According to what you’ve said, Owen is Michael’s father?
Her response was “Yes.” “You are absolutely correct in stating that.”
My knees became shaky. I took a seat. “No… I was unaware of it. I guarantee it, Beatrice. I was completely unaware of it. Never in my life would I have done it.
The look on Beatrice’s face changed. Her arms were lowered. “You, in all honesty, were unaware?”
I gave a slight shake of my head. It is not. It is God. Everything that I believed I knew about him turns out to be completely false.
Her gaze shifted away. “I am at a loss for words at this moment.”
It makes perfect sense now. How come you handled me in such a manner? Even if I were you, I would despise myself.
Beatrice cast her gaze downward. “If I had known that you were unaware of… Perhaps I should have behaved differently.”
It is unclear why he did not back you. Even in the event that you were not together, he ought to have assisted Michael.
No disagreements arose between the two of us. Until I informed him that I was expecting a child. Afterward, he disappeared.
I gave a slight shake of my head. If we look at the schedule, we get… During the time that you were pregnant, Owen and I had already been together.
“I discovered it at a later time. I was informed by him. Claim that he had cheated. You were the one who said it.”
“You ought to have informed me much earlier. This is the truth.”
“I detested you. Owen stated that you were aware of me. That it didn’t matter to you.”
Her gaze caught mine. Why not tell me right now?
There is no one who deserves to be lied to in the same way that I was. It is the same falsehood that you are living. That is not something I desire for you.
I gave a slight nod. Thank you very much for informing me. I really apologize for anything.
And so am I. I have spoken to you in a really rude manner.
“Don’t worry about it. We’ll take care of that later. At this very moment, I have to deal with the person who is responsible for this.
I drove Beatrice back to her house. We did not communicate with one another. My hands were firmly grasping the steering wheel. My own heart was pounding.
Owen had already been in the kitchen when I arrived home. He had a smile on his face and glanced up as if nothing was wrong.
To Ellen, he said, “You were out for such a long time.” “I was beginning to feel anxious. I have some news to share. I was able to locate an excellent real estate agent. It is time for us to relocate.
For whatever reason, I left my keys on the counter. This home is not going to be sold by me. It is up to you to go wherever you like. I am going to remain.”
Owen wore a frown. It is unclear what you are referring about.
“I am completely knowledgeable,” I asserted. The story of Beatrice. For Michael’s sake. the woman you kissed when you were driving in your automobile.”
They took a step back. “Ellen, I am able to explain.”
“I have no interest in your lies. There is no more to say. It is time to leave.
“I beg you, let’s have a conversation about this,” he said.
Talk about what exactly? How come you have been lying for so many years? What were your plans to sell this house and how did you want to finance your relationship with your new girlfriend?
“We still have the ability to fix this,” he stated.
“What to fix? Having to live with a man like you is no longer something I want to do. I want you to leave my place!
He lost his temper. “What other person would desire you? You do not have any children. There is no one else.
I was attracted to him. ‘I’ll be able to” More than being with you, I’d prefer be by myself.
In response to those statements, Owen snatched his jacket and stormed out of the room, slamming the door so forcefully that it caused the walls to shake.
I did not move while I listened to the silence that he had left behind. I was aware that getting a divorce at my age would be challenging.
With that being said, I was also aware of one thing for certain: it would be preferable to living a lie. Now that he is no longer around, perhaps Beatrice and I will be able to find some serenity.
Perhaps we could both finally take a deep breath. It was abundantly evident that Owen could be damned to hell, and I would not miss him in the slightest.
