Fate Doesn’t Let Go That Easily
Hope walked into her courtyard and instinctively glanced up at the third-floor windows. Her heart twisted—that was where *he* used to live. She paused for a moment, as if gathering her thoughts, then abruptly turned and headed for the bus stop. She found Dom’s block of flats quickly, lingering at the entrance, hesitating.
“What am I even doing here?” she thought bitterly. “Ellie was right—he never loved me… and never would. All these years, he’s been perfectly fine without me. Not a call, not a text.”
She was about to leave when she froze, spotting a familiar figure.
Only a few hours had passed since that encounter, but Ellie’s words still echoed in Hope’s mind.
She’d just stepped out of the shop when a sleek red car pulled up. Out stepped a woman in a floaty summer dress, the wind tousling her hair, the hem dancing playfully—almost theatrically. Hope barely recognised her.
“Ellie? Is that you?”
The woman turned, studying Hope’s face for a long moment.
“Don’t tell me you’ve forgotten me. It’s Hope Whitmore.”
“Hope… Oh, right. Blimey, you’ve aged. Didn’t recognise you,” Ellie replied flatly.
They slipped into a café, taking a table by the window. Ellie ordered without glancing at the menu, then fixed Hope with a look.
“So. How’s life?”
“Was married. Didn’t last. No kids. You, though—looks like you’ve landed on your feet.”
“Can’t complain,” Ellie smirked, flashing a diamond ring. “Husband’s loaded, life’s grand. And Dominic… still pining over him?”
The words stung.
“You had family, love. And me? Just looks. So I took him. Back then, he thought he loved me. But we were too different. I wanted to live, to enjoy myself—he wanted the picket fence and 2.4 kids.”
Ellie leaned back in her chair.
“We split. He bought a tiny flat, lives alone now. So, the coast is clear. Though honestly, why would you even want him?”
Hope didn’t answer. She just stood.
“Sorry, I’ve got to go.”
“Don’t worry, my treat,” Ellie waved, like she was shooing away a bothersome waiter.
But at the door, Hope stopped.
“Write down his address.”
Ellie looked surprised but fished out a pen, scribbling it on a napkin.
“Here. Good luck,” she said with a sarcastic lilt.
Hope clutched the napkin to her chest as she left. Later, at the office, she unfolded it, staring at the address. Ellie’s voice rang in her head: *”Why would you even want him?”* But her heart already knew.
That evening, she walked through the familiar courtyard, fallen leaves rustling underfoot. She hesitated outside Dom’s building.
“He never called. Never looked for me. That’s your answer, Hope. Go home.”
She turned to leave—and froze. There he was.
“Hope?… Is that really you?” His voice was surprised. And… happy.
She faltered.
“I—I was visiting a colleague. She wasn’t in.”
He looked pale, unshaven, eyes red-rimmed.
“Caught a nasty bug,” he said, holding up a bag of milk. “Just popped out for this.”
“You should be in bed! Come on.”
His flat was predictably bachelor-esque—bare fridge, mismatched mugs. She dug out some potatoes from under the sink, fried them up, warmed the milk, and nudged him to eat before packing him off to sleep.
When she peeked into the bedroom later, he was already out. She watched him for a long moment. This was the same Dom she’d loved all these years. She left without a word.
“You’re late,” her mum said, eyes glued to the telly.
“Ran into Ellie,” Hope replied shortly.
“Odd. Thought you two weren’t speaking.”
“Just had a coffee.”
“And how is she?”
“Rich. Gorgeous. Same as ever.”
“And you? When’s the wedding?”
“Mum, not this again…”
Later, as she got ready for bed, her mum handed her the phone.
“Dom’s calling. Found your number.”
“Thanks for today. Sorry I conked out. Will you come tomorrow?”
“Do you want me to?”
“Course. Name the place—I’ll meet you.”
“I’ll come,” Hope said, her eyes welling up.
Next morning, she took ages getting ready—dress, light makeup. But catching her mum’s smirk in the mirror, she scrubbed it all off, changed, and bolted without a word.
She floated through work, knowing they’d meet again that evening. And maybe, just maybe, a new life would begin.
Three months later, they married. It was real, hard-won love—the kind that didn’t care about years or distance. Fate had held onto them, against all odds.