From a young age, Alice knew she was beautifuleveryone said so.
“Our daughter is lovely, truly stands out from the other girls,” her mother would proudly tell friends and colleagues.
And indeed, it was hard to disagree. Though one neighbour remained sceptical:
“All children are pretty, but not everyone stays that way. Not saying it happens to all, but sometimes…”
Alice grew up, and by the time she reached sixth form, she was a tall, striking beauty. Proud and spoiled, she expected everyoneespecially boysto bend to her whims, which they did eagerly.
After school, she failed to get into university, despite dreaming of higher education, and settled for college instead. Back then, education wasnt something you could buy, so she graduated with a diploma in retail management.
“Darling,” her mother said, “why dont I get you a job at the factory lab? Its easy workno heavy lifting, and youve always been delicate.”
“But what about my diploma?” Alice protested.
“Oh, who actually works in their field? And why would you want to be stuck in retail?” her mother insisted, having spent her own life at the factory alongside Alices father.
So Alice became a lab technician. By then, she was even more beautiful and knew her worth. She fell for Edward, an engineer from the next department. Their romance was fiery but briefsoon, Edward proposed.
“Before someone else snatches you away, marry me,” he said with a smile. “Will you?”
“I will,” she replied happily.
Their wedding was typical for the timemodest, held in the factory canteen, crowded with guests.
Soon after, Alice discovered she was expecting.
“Eddie, were going to have a baby,” she told him.
“Thats wonderful,” he said, embracing her.
Their daughter, Sophie, was bornpretty like her mother. For a time, they were happy.
Years passed. Sophie grew, started nursery, and Alice and Edward worked. But after maternity leave, Alice changednot in looks, but in attitude. She began acting like a queen, belittling Edward at every turn. He took over most parentingpicking Sophie up, reading bedtime stories, tucking her in.
Alice was always “busy.” She came home late, claiming overtime, though Edward knew the lab staff never stayed late. He said nothing, afraid of her temper. He didnt want Sophie hearing them argue.
“Edward, your wife was seen with the chief engineer at a restaurant,” coworkers whispered. He just looked away.
“Why marry a beauty?” his friends teased. “You know a pretty cake never stays on one plate…”
Openly, people said Alice moved in higher circles now, unlike Edward, just an ordinary engineer. Soon, she was seeing Anthony, a ministry official who spoiled herjewels, expensive gifts.
Edward became meek, handling all housework and parenting while Alice barked orders. He never considered divorcehe didnt want to hurt Sophie.
Then came turbulent times. Anthonys company collapsed under scandal, and so did others.
“Alice, if anyone asks about me, say nothing,” Anthony warned. “I dont think well meet again.”
He was right. Anthony was arrested, and Alice was questioned too. Terrified, she begged to be released, swearing she knew nothing of his dealings.
Eventually, she was let gono evidencebut her reputation was ruined. Returning home felt like crawling out of filthy water. Everything was gone. Savings vanishedEdward had sold half their belongings to help her. She lost her job. Edward refused to divorce her, for Sophies sake, but they lived like strangers.
Once, he nearly leftbut feared hurting Sophie.
Alice swallowed her pride. “Dont go,” she pleaded. “It wont happen again.”
He stayed but wouldnt touch her. “You slept with other men.”
“I did it for us,” she lied.
Soon, she strayed againthis time with a young assistant, Adam. Money returned, but so did the distance.
Time flew. Sophie grew up, married, and moved away. New Year arrivedAlice flew to China for business, Edward met friends in Scotland.
When they reunited, Edward gaped. “Alice… you look younger.”
Indeed, she didslender again, no wrinkles.
“How much did that cost?”
She laughed, then sobered. “Everything.” She showed her bare fingers, empty purse. “Chinese proceduresmassages, acupuncture. Very expensive.”
She wouldnt age, not with Adam around. “Youre old,” she sneered at Edward. “Look at me.”
“But were the same age”
She laughed; he just sighed.
But money dwindled. Then Edward had a heart attack. Hospitalised, then homefrail, unable to work.
Alice stared at him, then her reflection. “God, is this what Id look like?”
“Alice, sit with me,” he sometimes asked.
“I dont have time,” she snapped.
One day, Adam met her at the shop, smirking.
“Read this.” He shoved a folder at her.
“What is it? I dont have time”
“These papers mean everything here is mine now. Youre done.”
At the solicitors, she was told the same.
“All signed by you, Alice. Nothing I can do.”
She left, humiliated.
At home, Edward asked softly, “Hows business?”
“Gone,” she said. “But I need money.”
“Theres nothing left.”
“The flat, then.”
“Nowhere would I go?”
“Well buy something cheaper. Youll get a computerlive online.”
She laughed.
Alice was sure shed rise again, rebuildbut this time, the ashes were cold.
**Some things, once lost, cant be bought backnot youth, not trust, not love. She stared at her reflection in the darkened window, the face there still smooth, untouched by time, yet hollow. The lights of the city blinked below, indifferent. Edward slept fitfully in the next room, his breath slow and uneven. She sat beside him at last, not out of love, but out of silencebecause the world had finally stopped listening to her. And in that quiet, she realized the cruelest truth: she had spent her life trading everything for a version of herself that no one, not even she, could truly want.
