Joyce was unaware of what Natalie was planning. “Nat, do you have some tissue?”

“Here.” Natalie rummaged through her pure platinum purse and handed the entire packet to Joyce.

“Thanks,” she sniffled as she extracted a piece to dry her tears. “Nat, I’ve decided to give up,” she murmured, keeping her eyes fixed on her feet.

Natalie gaped at her. “Give up on your feelings toward Stanley?”

“Yes.”

“Why?”

Joyce took a deep breath, willing herself to suppress the inevitable tears by forcing a smile. “Because I’m tired. I’ve loved him for over ten years, and where has that gotten me? A bruised and battered soul with not much dignity left. I don’t think I can hold on any longer.”

Joyce spun around suddenly, gazing deep into Natalie’s eyes with her own bloodshot ones. “I can see it clearly now. Stanley would rather be with any other woman than me. He will never love me. That is why I’m giving up on him.”

Natalie opened her mouth intending to offer words of advice, but she could come up with none.

It was certainly a pity for Joyce to give up on Stanley after loving him for so many years.

 

But if Joyce were to continue hanging on, it would just be waiting in vain. For all she knew, Stanley might not change his mind.

Joyce’s youth would just slip

 

it would be

to continue down her current path. However, the choice to let go might not necessarily be

made up your mind?” Natalie looked

a second or two, she gave

the right direction.” Natalie nodded approvingly. “You have been out of touch with the outside world from living all these years with the fantasy of being with Stanley. There are plenty of eligible men out there, Joyce. Now’s the time to explore,” Natalie said

I can’t be letting my youth wither away hanging on to just one man. From now on, I will meet other men and find one who is even better than Stanley who will love me back. I refuse to accept the fact that I

a glass of champagne. Natalie’s sense of foreboding came a little too late as Joyce yelled, “Stanley,

everybody in the vicinity on her, Joyce gulped down

the haste of which she had emptied her drink, Joyce’s face

embarrassed eyes of the onlookers, Natalie stood up and quickly escorted

of Natalie and Joyce from a lounge

moment, a middle-aged man appeared, handing Stanley a glass of wine. “Stanley. That’s you, isn’t it? The

you’re a humorous man. I’m sorry to disappoint you, but I don’t

the man gaped in

of someone else with the same name. Excuse me, but it’s getting late. See you at the surgery tomorrow. It

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