Ethan left her with their little daughter and walked away. But when her mother-in-law showed up to gloat, Emma
Emma couldnt settle. Little Sophie had fallen asleep in her arms, yet she still couldnt bring herself to step away from the window.
An hour had passed since shed been staring into the courtyard.
A few hours earlier, her husband Ethan had come home from work. Emma was in the kitchen, but he never joined her. When she walked into the living room, she found him packing his things.
“Where are you going?” she asked, confused.
“Im leaving. Leaving you for the woman I love.”
“Ethan, are you joking? Did something happen at work? Are you going on a business trip?”
“Cant you get it through your head? Im sick of you. All you care about is Sophieyou dont even notice me anymore. You dont take care of yourself.”
“Dont shoutyoull wake Sophie.”
“See? There you go again, only thinking about her. Your husbands walking out, and you”
“A real man wouldnt abandon his wife and child,” Emma said quietly before retreating to Sophies room.
She knew Ethans temper. If she kept arguing, it would erupt into a full-blown row. Tears welled up, but she refused to let him see them. She scooped Sophie from her cot and took her to the kitchenEthan wouldnt follow. There was nothing of his to take from there.
Through the window, she watched him get into his car and drive off. He didnt even glance back. But Emma couldnt move. Maybe she hoped his car would reappear, that hed laugh and call it a stupid joke. But it didnt happen.
She barely slept that night. There was no one to call, no one to confide in. Her mother had long lost interest in hershed been thrilled when Emma married but forgot about her soon after. It was like her younger brother was the only child that mattered. She had friends, but they were mums like her, probably resting now. What could they even do?
Emma finally dozed off at dawn. She tried calling Ethan, but he declined and texted, “Stop bothering me.”
Just then, Sophie started fussing, so Emma went to her. No time to fall apart. If hes gone, fine. She had her daughter to care for. She needed to figure out how to move forward.
After checking her wallet and bank balance, she nearly panicked. Even if she begged the landlady to wait five days for her benefits to come in, it wouldnt be enough. And they still needed food. She couldve taken remote work, but Ethan took his laptop.
She had two weeks left on the renttime to come up with something, fast.
But after calling everyone she knew, she realized it was hopeless. No one would hire her with a toddler. Even mopping floors meant finding someone to watch Sophie for an hour or two. And there was no one. Moving wouldnt help eitherthey were already in the cheapest flat she could find. The only option was her parents place. But her brother had married young and lived there with his wife and twin boys. Five people in a two-bed, plus her and Sophie? Impossible.
She told the landlady shed move out when the rent ran out. Restless, she considered grim bedsits but couldnt stomach the idea. She begged Ethan for moneyno reply. Hed likely blocked her.
With five days left, she started packing. Not much to pack, but it kept her busy. Then, the doorbell rang.
Standing there was Margarether mother-in-law.
“More trouble?” Emma thought, letting her in.
Theyd never gotten along. Polite smiles, hidden resentment. From day one, Margaret had made it clear she disapproved of Emma. Typical mothershe thought her son could do better. So Emma had insisted they wouldnt live together. Theyd rented instead.
Margarets visits were pure torture. “Emma, do you ever dust?” And shed refuse Emmas cooking, saying it was fit for pigs. Things eased slightly when Emma got pregnant, but after Sophies birth, Margaret claimed the baby “wasnt their blood” and demanded a paternity test.
Only when Sophie turned six months did Margaret soften, finally seeing family traits. Ethan had defended his mum, saying shed raised him alone and was just protective. Emma tolerated her visits, never asking for help.
Now here she was, standing in the hallwayafter Ethan had left. Probably here to rub it in. But Emma was past caring.
Margarets voice snapped her out of it.
“Right, pack your things. You and Sophie cant stay here.”
“Margaret, I dont understand.”
“Whats to understand? Pack. Youre coming with me.”
“To yours?”
“Where else? Your mums place is already bursting.”
“You know?”
“Of course I do. That idiot only told me today. Ive got a three-bed. Plenty of space.”
Emma had no choice. Might as well roll the dice.
At Margarets place, fear crept in at first. Then Margaret showed them their room. After unpacking and putting Sophie down, Emma joined her in the kitchen.
“Emma, I know weve never been close. But try to understandand forgive me.”
“You just wanted the best for your son.”
“Best? Dont kid yourself,” Margaret cut in. “I was selfish. Today, he called and told me everything. Forgive me for raising a son like that. I dont know where I went wrong. His father left when he was three months old. He knew how hard it was for single mums. Yet he repeated his fathers mistake. Stay as long as you need.”
Emma never expected Margaret to take her side. Words failed hertears splashed onto the table.
“None of that,” Margaret said sternly.
“Its just thank you.”
“Dont. Consider it my penance. Well manage. Roof over our heads. When you find work, Ill watch Sophie.”
From that day, they became inseparable. Sure, Margarets sharpness still flared, but she reined it in. Gentle advice replaced scolding.
On Sophies first birthday, they decorated the room with balloons. A warm apple pie sat on the table.
Sophie wobbled toward the balloons.
“Emma, lookher first steps!” Margaret beamed.
They caught her as she plopped down, deciding walking was enough for one day.
Just as they sat down, the doorbell rang. Margaret answeredand froze. Ethan stood there, some girl beside him.
“Hey, Mum,” he said casually, stepping inside.
“Hello, son. What brings you here?”
“Cant I just visit?”
“Five months without a word? Must be important.”
“Mum, rents steep. Angela and I thought wed stay here a while.”
“Angela? Whos this?”
“Come on, Mum”
“No room. Ive got company.”
“You got a bloke living here?”
“Even if I did, its none of your business. Watch your mouth.”
Ethan barged in, spotting Emma and Sophie at the birthday table. Balloons everywhere.
“Son, youre not welcome. Cant you see were busy?”
“Whats she doing here?”
“That she is still your wife. Final divorce hearings tomorrowwhich youll skip, as usual. Todays your daughters first birthday. Forgot, did you?”
“I thought we were already divorced. And how do I know shes even mine?”
“If youd shown up, it would be. Doubt her? Get a DNA test. Waste your money. Now leave.”
“Mum, if I walk out now, its for good.”
Margaret said nothing. Just pointed at the door.
Later, after Sophie slept, Emma approached her.
“Mum are you okay? Should I go? Hes your son.”
“Emma, he is. But you dont treat your child like that. Wives come and gokids dont. He knew how hard it was for us. No, I wont forgive him till he learns.”
Four years later
“Emma, how long will you hide this bloke from me?”
Emma flushed. She hadnt realized Margaret knew.
“Blushing like a schoolgirl! Introduce us.”
“Youre sure?”
“As long as he treats you and Sophie right. Go on.”
Margaret attended Emma and Daniels wedding. She approvedhe was responsible, clearly loved Emma, and adored Sophie.
“Dont think Ill stop helping with Sophie,” Margaret said at the reception.
“Mum, of course not. She loves you.”
When Emma and Daniel had a son, Margaret declared him her grandson too. No one arguedEmma had long seen her as a mother. Her own mum had never been this close.
Ethan married Angela. They moved away. Through distant relatives, Margaret heard he was doing well. Yes, he
