**A Twist of Fate**
Mum, for goodness sake! snapped Evelyn, her voice sharp with irritation. Liam is twenty! Hes a grown man and should be living on his own by now. But you still coddle him like some precious treasure. Its sickening.
Then dont look, retorted Margaret. Mind your own life, not ours. Youve got Oliver to raisefocus on him.
I *am* raising him!
Badly, Margaret cut in. That boy is completely out of control.
Hes *not*! Hes just at that difficult age! As if Liam was some perfect angel at his age.
He wasnt an angel, Margaret narrowed her eyes, but he studied hard, helped around the house, never mouthed off. Oliver only knows how to beg for money. Thank you doesnt even cross his lips.
So what? Youre his grandmother!
And that means he doesnt have to be grateful? Just take and take? Though I shouldnt be surprisedhes just like you!
Whats *that* supposed to mean?! Evelyns voice rose sharply.
Only that Ive never heard a kind word from you. Just endless complaints and blame.
Mum!
What, Mum? Am I wrong? Youre raising your son to be just as selfish. Everyone owes him something. Everyones at fault. Now hes even picking fights with Liam. Dont you see I need a new laptop? Ive put up with his antics so far, but mark my wordsmy patience is wearing thin.
And what then? Evelyns eyes flashed with anger.
Ill cut him off. Not another penny. And Ill tell Liam to do the same.
Oh, *terrifying*, Evelyn sneered. I expected something scarier.
I dont need to invent threats, Margaret frowned. Hes my grandsonI love him. But I wont tolerate his cheek. Ill put him in his place so hard hell forget the way to this house.
And what about your precious Liam? How will he live without his darling nephew?
*My* Liam? Margaret spun around, locking eyes with her daughter.
Well *ours*, Evelyn faltered. What difference does it make? He adores him.
Silence fell. Margaret bit back the words burning on her tongue.
The door creaked open, and Liam stepped intall, lean, his hair slightly tousled. He glanced wearily between his mother and sister.
Again? he asked. Will you two ever stop fighting?
Stay out of it, Evelyn snapped. Im not talking to you!
Not to me, to Mum. But listen to your tone! And I *have* every right to step in. Who else will defend her?
*Right*? Evelyn scoffed. Your only right is to sponge off her and pretend everythings fine.
I *sponge* off her? Liam stepped forward, his voice shaking with outrage. I work, I help around the house, I dont start fights. *You* walk in and turn this place into a circus.
Mum just doesnt see you turning into a freeloader! Evelyn exploded. She spoils you rotten! Everythings for you, everything revolves around you!
Evelyn! Margarets voice cut through. Enough. Youre being unfair.
Unfair? Her daughters head jerked up, bitterness lacing her words. Ive never had half of what hes got! All the care, all the loveits all for him! What did I get? Scraps!
How is this *my* fault? Liam asked quietly, stunned by her outburst. You brought this on yourselfalways complaining, always playing the victim. Maybe thats why people avoid you?
Oh, *thats* rich! Evelyns eyes blazed. Now its *my* fault?!
Liam opened his mouth to retort, but Margaret stepped between them.
Dont. Evelyns your older sister. You *will* respect her.
She doesnt respect *anyone*! Liam shot back. She storms in, picks fights, throws insults. Mum, its time someone put her in her place. And Oliver too. Last week, he took a fair bit of cash from my wallet without asking.
A heavy silence followed. His words hung in the air like a thunderclap.
Evelyns cheeks flushed, her eyes wild with more than angersomething desperate, unhinged.
Margaret braced herself. One more word, and Evelyn would snap, say something irreversible.
But instead, Evelyn shrieked:
Youre lying! Oliver would *never* do that! Hes my son, and he is *not* a thief!
Evelyn Margarets voice was low but firm. I trust Liam. He doesnt lie. But Olivers behaviour? Thats questionable. You *need* to talk to him. Gently.
Dont you *dare* accuse my boy of stealing! Evelyn gasped with rage.
And dont *you* dare call my son a liar, Margaret shot back.
*Your* son?! Evelyns eyes blazed. *What* son?! Hes *nothing* to you!
Margaret froze.
What? Liam stiffened. Mum what is she talking about?
Shes telling the truth, Margaret whispered, pale. Im not your mother.
For a second, Liam stood motionless, the words crashing over him.
Evelyn collapsed onto the sofa, breath ragged, tears brimming.
Memories flooded hercold, relentless.
Shed been young. Just out of school.
Foolishly, recklessly in love.
She hadnt realised she was pregnant at first. By the time she did, it was too late to *fix* things.
The boy had shrugged.
You sure its even mine?
Shed confessed to her parents. Her mother had screamed, wept. Her fatherstill alive thenhad threatened to throw her out for shaming the family.
But eventually, the storm passed. Theyd supported her as best they could.
Evelyn had given birth. Her parents had doted on their grandson.
Then her father died. Money grew tight. So Evelyn left for LondonMargaret agreed to raise Liam.
The first year was fine. Evelyn visited, sent money.
Then she vanished.
A new love. A new life. A second sonone Margaret and Liam knew nothing about for years.
Evelyns new man didnt know about Liam either.
When he kicked her out, she returned home.
Liam was ten by then. Oliver, five. Margaret forgave herbut refused to live with her. She saw the truth: Evelyn felt nothing for Liam. How could she? The last time shed seen him, he was two. He called Margaret *Mum* now.
So Margaret had proposed a lie: Evelyn would be his sister, returned from afar.
***
Liams question dragged Evelyn back to the present.
Then who *is* my mother? he asked softly, as if afraid of the answer.
Evelyn shuddered. She couldnt say it.
Her hands trembled; tears streamed unchecked.
L-Liam she choked out, but the words died.
Margaret stepped in.
She pulled Liam close, her voice shaking.
Sweetheart, dont panic. The truth is Evelyn is your mother.
Liam went still.
His eyes locked onto Evelynhuddled on the sofa, weeping.
Disgust twisted inside him.
After a long pause, he turned to Margaret.
So youre my grandmother? Or are you not even related?
What are you saying?! Evelyn jumped up. Of course were relatedshes my mother. Olivers your little brother!
Liam laughed coldly.
Lucky me.
The hatred in his glare made Evelyn recoil.
Right. Ive heard enough, he said, his voice like steel. I need to be alone.
He left.
The door clicked shut, leaving the flat drowning in silence.
***
Evelyn stayed on the sofa, her face ashen, heart hammering.
What have I done? she whispered. Ive got my son back and now I dont know what to do with him. Hell *hate* me. And Oliver? How do I explain that Liams his brother? He wont understand. Wont *forgive* Mum, why didnt you stop me?
Margaret watched her daughter unravel. Scolding her now was pointless. Shed longed for this secret to surfacenever considering the cost.
She sat beside Evelyn and murmured,
Itll be
