Edward left her with their little daughter and walked away. But when her mother-in-law came to gloat, Ellen
Ellen couldnt settle. Little Emily had fallen asleep in her arms, yet she still lingered by the window. An hour had passed since shed last seen him drive off.
Earlier that evening, her beloved husband, Edward, had returned from work. Shed been in the kitchen, expecting him to join her, but he never did. When she finally stepped into the living room, she found him packing his things.
“Where are you going?” she asked, bewildered.
“Im leaving. Im leaving you for the woman I love.”
“Edward, youre joking, arent you? Did something happen at work? Is this a business trip?”
“Cant you understand? Im sick of you. All you care about is Emilyyou dont notice me anymore, you dont take care of yourself.”
“Dont shoutyoull wake Emily.”
“There you go again, only thinking of her. Your husband is walking out, and you”
“A real man wouldnt abandon his wife and child,” Ellen said quietly before retreating to her daughters room.
She knew his temper. If she pressed further, it would only lead to a row. Tears welled in her eyes, but she refused to let him see them. She scooped Emily from her cot and carried her to the kitchenhe wouldnt follow her there. There was nothing of his to take.
Through the window, she watched him climb into his car and drive away without a backward glance. Yet Ellen couldnt tear herself from the glass, half-hoping his car would reappear, that hed laugh it off as some foolish joke. But it didnt happen.
Sleep wouldnt come that night. There was no one to callno one whod understand. Her own mother had long since lost interest in her, relieved when Ellen married and promptly forgotten. To Laura, it was as if her younger brother had always been her only child. There were friends, of course, but they were mothers like her, likely fast asleep. What could they do, anyway?
By dawn, exhaustion claimed her. She tried calling Edward, but he silenced the call, replying with a text: *Dont bother me again.*
Just then, Emily fussed, and Ellen hurried to her. No time to wallow. He was goneso be it. She had her daughter, and that was enough. She had to think of the future.
A glance at her purse and bank account filled her with dread. Even if she begged the landlady for a few days grace until her benefits came through, it wouldnt be enough. They still needed food. Remote work mightve helped, but Edward had taken his laptop.
Two weeks of paid rent remainedtime to figure something out. And quickly.
But after ringing every contact, reality struck. No one would hire a woman with a toddler. Even a cleaning job meant finding someone to watch Emily for an hour or twobut there was no one. Moving to a cheaper flat wouldnt help either; theirs was already modest. The only option was her parents house, but her brother had married young, cramming his family of fiveincluding twin boysinto her mothers two-bedroom home. Where would she and Emily fit?
She told the landlady shed leave when the rent ran out. Her mind raced. A bedsit in a shared house might work, but the few shed seen had tenants no one would wish on an enemy. She messaged Edward, pleading for help with Emilys needs, but he didnt reply. Likely blocked her.
Five days before moving, she began packing, needing the distraction. Then the doorbell rang.
Standing there was Margarether mother-in-law.
*Has more trouble found me?* Ellen thought, stepping aside to let her in.
Their relationship had always been strainedpolite smiles masking quiet resentment. From their first meeting, Margaret made it clear Ellen wasnt good enough for her son. Mothers always knew best, didnt they? Ellen had insisted they live separately; theyd never get along.
Margarets visits were laced with backhanded remarks: “Ellen, dear, do you ever dust?” Her cooking was dismissed as “fit for pigs.” The tension eased slightly when Ellen fell pregnant, but once Emily was born, Margaret declared, “She doesnt look like our sideEdward should get a paternity test.” Only at six months did she soften, spotting familiar features in Emilys face.
Edward had defended his mother: “She raised me aloneshes just protective.” Ellen endured, never asking for help.
And now here Margaret stood, after Edwards betrayal. Probably here to revel in her misery. But Ellen was beyond caring.
Margarets voice snapped her from her thoughts.
“Right, pack your things. You and Emily dont belong here.”
“Margaret, I dont understand.”
“Whats to understand? Youre coming with me.”
“To your house?”
“Where else? Your mothers place, packed like sardines?”
“You know everything?”
“Of course I do. Pity I didnt learn sooner. That fool only told me today. Ive a three-bedroom house. Plenty of space.”
Ellen had no choice.
At Margarets home, fear gave way to surprise. A room waited for her and Emily. Once settled, she joined Margaret in the kitchen.
“Ellen, I know weve never been close. But try to understandand forgive me.”
“You only wanted the best for your son.”
“Best? Dont flatter me,” Margaret cut in. “I was selfish. Today, he called and confessed everything. Forgive me for raising such a son. His father left us when he was three months oldhe knew how hard it was for a mother alone. Yet he repeated that cowards sin. Stay as long as you need.”
Ellen hadnt expected Margarets support. Words failed her; tears splashed the table.
“None of that,” Margaret said sternly.
“Its gratitude.”
“Save it. Im making amends. Well manage. Roof over our heads. When you find work, Ill mind Emily.”
From that day, they grew inseparable. Margarets sharp edges softened; her advice came gently, not as barbs.
On Emilys first birthday, they decorated the house with balloons. A warm apple pie sat on the table.
Emily toddled toward the balloons.
“Ellen, lookher first steps!” Margaret beamed.
They caught her as she plopped down, deciding that was enough walking for one day.
Then the doorbell rang. Margaret answeredand froze.
Edward stood there, a woman beside him.
“Hello, Mum,” he said breezily, stepping inside.
“Well, this is a surprise. Five months without a wordwhat brings you?”
“Cant I just visit?”
“Visit? Youve a wife and child you abandoned. Spare me.”
“Mum, rents steep. Angela and I thought wed stay here awhile.”
“Angela? Whos this?”
“Come on, Mum”
“No room. Ive others living here.”
“Found yourself a new bloke, have you?”
“Even if I had, its none of your concern. Mind your tongue.”
Edward pushed past, spotting Ellen and Emily at the birthday table, balloons everywhere.
“Son, youre not welcome. Were busy.”
“Whats *she* doing here?”
“That *she* is still your wife. The divorce finalizes tomorrownot that youd show up. Todays your daughters birthday. Forgotten, have you?”
“I thought we were already divorced. And how do I know shes even mine?”
“Had you bothered, youd know. Ellen and Emily live here. Traitors dont. Doubt her? Get a DNA test. Waste your money. Now leave.”
“Mum, if I walk out now, its for good.”
Margaret pointed to the door.
Later, with Emily asleep, Ellen approached her.
“Margaret should I go? Hes your son.”
“He is. But no one treats a child like that. Wives come and gochildren dont. He knew my struggles. No, I wont forgive him yet.”
Four years passed.
“Ellen, how long will you hide this man from me?”
Ellen flushed. She hadnt realized Margaret knew.
“Blushing like a schoolgirl! Bring him round.”
“You dont mind?”
“Only that he treats you and Emily right. So introduce us.”
Margaret attended Ellen and Williams wedding. She approvedhe was kind, responsible, and adored them both.
“Dont think Ill stop helping with Emily,” Margaret said at the reception.
“Mum, Id never doubt it. She loves you dearly.”
When Ellen and William had a son, Margaret declared him her grandson too. No one arguedEllen had long seen her as a mother. Her own had never been so close.
Edward married Angela. They moved
