Broken heart: a story of betrayal and salvation
Chris, Im pregnant! Katherine blurts out the moment she steps into the doorway, giving her husband no time to guess. He freezes, glances aside and sighs, Well if thats how it turns out, then plants a quick kiss on her cheek, as if trying to outrun his own feelings.
Katherine falls for Christopher while shes still a university student. He works at the marketing agency where she does her placement. Young, goodlooking, already a deputy team leader, he seems to belong to another world. A modest girl from a small town could never have imagined he would notice her. On the final day of her placement, he approaches her, hands her a box of chocolates and asks her out for an evening drink. That moment sparks their whole story.
On their first date he confides that he grew up without parents. His mother remarried and left, leaving him in his grandmothers care. Katherine does not reveal that her own parents never showed any interest in her either. Her childhood was a cold stretch of indifference, without a single hint of warmth. Both know what loneliness feels like, and perhaps that is why they bond so quickly.
A month later Katherine moves into Christophers rented flat in a flat above a bakery in Manchester. Soon after they marry modest, without extravagance, but full of hope. They dream of a future together, of their own house and a quiet life. The only thing that separates them is the question of children. Katherine has wanted a baby for years, while Christopher keeps delaying, Were fine as two, why rush?
When a pregnancy test shows two lines, Katherine hesitates to tell him, fearing judgment and reproach. At last she gathers the courage.
Were going to be parents, are you happy? she asks.
I thought that would be later he replies, his disappointment plain.
He skips the first ultrasound, waiting in the car while Katherine returns with tears of joy and news: twins. Two tiny hearts beat inside her.
Twins?! Christophers face turns pale. That wasnt the plan. Get an abortion!
What are you saying?! I saw our children I cant Katherine sobs.
She hopes he will come to terms with the idea, that he will understand. But each day he pulls further away. He begins to criticize her weight, saying shes lost shape. She tries to ignore it. After the babies are born, things only get worse.
Olivia and Emma the twins become the centre of her world. Christopher stays late at work, distances himself, refuses to help. Katherine endures it allfor the children, for love, for family.
When the girls reach eighteen months, she mentions returning to work. Christopher sits opposite her, staring at the floor.
Youll see how this ends I have someone else. Im leaving. I wont abandon the kids, but I want to be with her.
Katherine is stunned.
You swore youd never end up like your parents! she chokes out through tears.
He walks out. At first he still shows up, then he disappears for good. Katherine is left alone, without money or support. Return to the countryside? There are no jobs there. Stay in the city? Work exists, but theres nowhere to live.
Her boss steps in, arranging a place for her in a university hall of residence. A tiny room, a fresh paint job, two infantsshe manages. One afternoon, while pushing the stroller through the courtyard, a voice calls out:
May I lend a hand? Im John, I live next door.
He helps without asking questions, then offers to assist with the repairs. He starts picking the twins up from nursery. At first Katherine pushes him awayshe is scaredbut day by day John becomes part of their lives.
He is ordinary, dependable. He, too, has been betrayedhis wife left him for a friend after learning they could not have children. Now he has two little ones who love him wholeheartedly.
When John proposes to Katherine, she initially refuses.
I have children. Youll find someone else.
I want to be with you. The kids arent a problem; theyre as if they were my own.
They marry. A week later Christopher returns.
Katherine, Im sorry. I understand everything now. Lets start over
Its too late. Im married. My children now have a real father.
John steps forward from the doorway.
Meet him, hes my husband.
Christopher turns, waves his hand and walks away forever.
A year passes. Katherine and John buy a flat of their own in Salford. Where Christopher is now, she does not know, and she does not want to know. Because happiness isnt the one who promised it, but the one who stays.
