After Chris’s death, Margaret learns that her husband was married to a woman named Erica for 17 years.
She decides to track down the woman and learn the whole truth, but what she discovers along the way astounds her.
Margret was heartbroken after Chris died. They had been through a lot together, including the agony of being childless, but despite this, the couple had been married happily for 35 years until Chris died unexpectedly at the age of 60 from a heart attack.
Chris used to work as a scientist at Florida International University, and Margaret used to be a teacher.
They both threw themselves into work as soon as they realized they’d only have each other for the rest of their lives, and they eventually got over the sadness of not having a baby.However, when
Chris died, life put them to the test once more. Margaret struggled to get back on her feet after losing him.
And for days, she just hugged his luggage and cried for hours, remembering all the times they’d shared. She hardly ever ate or slept and isolated herself from everyone.
Concerned, Mrs. Duncan, her neighbor and close friend, paid her a visit one day. “Don’t do this to yourself, Margaret,” she said. “I know it’s difficult, but think about yourself as well. You can’t afford to ignore your health in this manner!” “I don’t want to think about anything, Claire,” Margaret said.
A middle-aged woman greeted her at the door. Her name was Erica. She was tall and had hazelnut eyes. She was dressed in a loose pink dress, but Margaret could tell she was pregnant by the way she kept her hand on her stomach. “Hello, how may I assist you?” she asked softly.”Hi, my name is Margaret,” Margaret introduced herself. “Do you know anyone named George Black?”
“Yes! He’s my husband. He’s away on a research trip. What happened? Is he okay? There’s nothing wrong, right?” she asked, worried. Looking at Erica’s condition, Margaret decided it was better not to break the whole news to her at her doorstep. So she asked Erica if she could come inside, and as she took a seat, she revealed the entire story to her.
But Erica refused to believe it. “I don’t believe you!” she exclaimed when Margaret finished. “We’ve been married for 17 years! What proof do you have that George was your husband? Perhaps you made these passports rather than him. Get out now before I call the cops!””I’m not lying, Erica,” Margaret clarified. “You’ve seen these images. These are photos from our wedding anniversary. He frequently disappeared for weeks or months, telling me it was a research trip; now I know exactly what he was up to.” “Well, that’s a great story, lady,” Erica snarled. “Now get out of here, or I’ll have to evict you!” “Fine, if you don’t believe me, it’s okay, but tell me one last thing…” Margaret asked Erica when George would leave home for the research trips. And it turned out it was the same duration during which he stayed at his home in Florida. “And if you don’t believe me still, I know that he has a birthmark on his left shoulder. Do you trust me now?” Margaret continued. When Erica heard that, she clutched her stomach and started crying. Margaret dashed over to catch her before she fell. But the pregnant woman quickly succumbed to the pain and passed out.
Margaret called the ambulance and rushed her to the hospital where Erica delivered a beautiful baby girl named Charlotte via surgery.When Margaret checked on her at her ward post-delivery, Erica couldn’t stop crying. “Thanks for saving me and my child, Margaret,” she sobbed. “I can never thank you enough.
And I’m sorry for being rude to you. I was also suspicious that Goerge was lying, but I never gave it much thought because I was afraid of losing our family. I’m so sorry…” “It’s okay, Erica,” Margaret consoled her then hugged her. “You need to stay strong for your baby girl, and if you need any help, I will always be by your side. After all, it’s not your fault Chris did what he did. The best we can do is become each other’s support now. What do you think?” Erica smiled and nodded. And in the end, Margaret became Charlotte’s godmother. What can we learn from this story? Sometimes our instincts are correct. Erica had a sneaking suspicion that George/Chris was concealing something from her, which proved to be right. Learn to be helpful and kind. Margaret could have abandoned Erica in her agony, but she didn’t. She dialed 911 and made sure Erica and her child were safe. If you enjoyed this story, you might like this one about a woman who follows a little boy who collects leftovers from her restaurant and learns a shocking truth.