W.E. 2011

In the vibrant city of New York, around 1998, Wallis “Wally” Winthrop lived what appeared to be an ordinary life as an American housewife. However, beneath this seemingly placid exterior lay a complex mix of emotions and unmet desires. Her marriage to the driven psychiatrist, William, felt far from satisfying, leaving her feeling sexually frustrated and emotionally abandoned. It was during this time of personal turmoil that Wally became enchanted by the ill-fated love story of Edward VIII and Wallis Simpson. Their romance captivated her, drawing her into a world filled with luxury and forbidden passion.

Wally’s interest took a more tangible turn when she attended a Sotheby’s auction featuring treasures from the Windsor estate, which once belonged to Edward and Wallis. Each item whispered the stories of a love that defied societal norms, pulling her deeper into their legendary past.

The narrative then shifts back to 1930, where Edward’s extravagant gathering at Fort Belvedere set the stage for his fateful encounter with Wallis Simpson. Although she was married to Ernest Simpson, Edward found himself irresistibly drawn to her beauty and charm, especially after his mistress, Lady Furness, left the scene. The unspoken connection between Edward and Wallis began to flourish amidst the opulence surrounding them.

In the present, Wally’s daydreams at Sotheby’s were interrupted by Evgeni, a guard whose interest in her was both unexpected and unsettling, a constant reminder of how intertwined the past and present could be. As Wally learned more about the tumultuous relationship between Edward and Wallis, she vividly empathized with their struggles. The growing passion between Edward and Wallis reached a pivotal moment when he introduced her to his royal parents, King George V and Queen Mary, causing a stir among those who disapproved of their union, notably Elizabeth, Edward’s sister-in-law.

As tensions escalated, Wally found herself caught in a similar dilemma, facing the stigmas associated with divorce while yearning for the love she observed between Edward and Wallis. With hope waning, she turned to in vitro fertilization, leading her back to the ever-present Evgeni, who began to kindle new flames of hope within her fractured heart.

Through her exploration of the lives of Edward VIII and Wallis Simpson, Wally began drawing striking parallels to her own unsatisfactory marriage. The pounding winds of December 11, 1936, bore witness to Edward’s historic abdication speech, granting him the freedom to marry the woman he loved.

Back in modern-day New York, reality hit hard when Evgeni, sensing a shift, rushed to Wally’s side only to discover she had been harmed by William. Under Evgeni’s watchful care in Brooklyn, Wally mustered the strength to finally decide to leave William behind and pursue a brighter future with him.

As Wally dove into the intricate archives of billionaire Mohamed Al-Fayed, the narrative unveiled the poignant journey of Wallis Simpson, Duchess of Windsor. Through intimate letters, Wally began to understand the tangled circumstances that shackled Wallis to her tumultuous love with Edward, often at the expense of her joy. The connections between their experiences became increasingly intertwined as Wally engaged in heartfelt dialogues with Wallis, reflecting on the shared burdens borne by women in love.

In an emotional turn of events, it was Wally who, despite the darkness of her situation, achieved acceptance and fulfillment. The light at the end of the tunnel became evident when her doctor revealed the life-changing news of her pregnancy. This announcement heralded a pivotal moment for Wally, allowing her to step away from her obsession with the storied romance of Wallis and Edward. As she embraced this new chapter, Wally’s story evolved into a vibrant testament to the resilience of the human spirit, demonstrating the potential for growth, adaptation, and the pursuit of happiness, even amidst the shadows of the past.