Finally, Grace's birthday arrived.
The sun had barely risen when a dispatch rider arrived at her house.
"Are you Grace?" he asked.
"Yes," she replied nervously.
"First of all, happy birthday," he said, handing her a small envelope.
Grace took it carefully. It felt unusually heavy, as if it carried more than just paper. She opened it slowly, and inside was a single folded sheet of paper.
Her hands trembled as she began to read:
The Letter from Desmond
Grace,
I know everything that happened between you and Moris. The money he gave you for the bike wasn't his own—it came from me. I didn't want to do this, but I needed to understand what you had become.
The woman I once loved gave me a small gift—a simple watch—out of pure love and affection. It wasn't much, but it came from your heart, and that was all that mattered to me.
But somewhere along the way, that woman disappeared.
Your gifts have stopped being acts of love. They became investments, calculated steps meant to yield something in return.
By doing this, you didn't just betray me—you betrayed yourself. You lost the purity of the love you once carried, and in chasing greater rewards, you've lost something far more valuable.
I forgive you, Grace. But I cannot continue this relationship.
I hope this letter helps you understand the cost of turning love into business.
Happy birthday.
— Desmond
Grace finished reading the letter. Her eyes filled with tears, and her chest felt heavy as if the words had struck her soul. She sank to the floor, overwhelmed by grief and regret.
It wasn't just the loss of Desmond that hurt—it was the loss of her dignity, her self-respect, and the woman she used to be.
She realized that love cannot survive when it is treated like a transaction.
Grace's Realization and Message
Grace sat quietly for hours, thinking about her choices. Slowly, a new understanding began to settle in her heart.
She realized the lessons she had learned came at a high cost, but they were lessons she could now carry forward:
Love cannot be measured in gifts or money. True affection is given freely, without expecting a bigger return.
Self-respect is priceless. No reward or gain is worth sacrificing your dignity.
Every action has consequences. Choices made for temporary gain can destroy lifelong happiness.
Recognize true love. A partner who loves you will value you, not just what you give.
To all young women—and young people in general—Grace wished she could whisper these words personally:
Do not turn your love into a business. Do not chase gifts and rewards at the expense of your heart. Give love freely, and expect only sincerity in return.
By the end of the day, Grace knew she had lost Desmond, but she had gained wisdom—a wisdom that she hoped would guide her and others to a better understanding of love.