Helen couldnt settle. Little Emily had fallen asleep in her arms, yet she remained by the window, staring into the courtyard. An hour had passed since shed last seen his car disappear down the road.
Earlier that evening, her husband, Anthony, had come home from work. Shed been in the kitchen, waiting, but he never joined her. When she finally stepped into the living room, she found him packing his belongings.
“Where are you going?” she asked, bewildered.
“Im leaving. Im leaving you for someone else.”
“Anthony, this isnt funny. Did something happen at work? Is this some kind of joke?”
“Christ, Helen, cant you get it through your head? Im sick of you. Its always Emilynever me. You dont even bother with yourself anymore.”
“Keep your voice down. Youll wake her.”
“See? There you go again. Your husband walks out, and all you care about is”
“A real man wouldnt abandon his wife and child,” Helen whispered before turning away, retreating to Emilys room.
She knew his temper. If she pressed further, it would only explode into a scene she couldnt bear. Tears stung her eyes, but she refused to let him see them. She scooped Emily from the crib and carried her to the kitchen, where Anthony wouldnt followthere was nothing of his left to take.
Through the window, she watched him drive away without a backward glance. Yet she lingered, foolishly hoping his car might reappear, that hed laugh and say it was all a stupid prank. But the street stayed empty.
Sleep didnt come that night. There was no one to call. Her mother had never been much of a comfortshed been relieved when Helen married and promptly forgotten about her. Helens younger brother had always been the favourite. There were friends, of course, but they were other mums like her, likely asleep now. What could they even do?
Dawn crept in before exhaustion finally claimed her. She tried calling Anthony, but he sent her to voicemail, then texted: *Stop bothering me.*
Emily fussed then, pulling Helen back to reality. No time to wallow. Hed leftso be it. She had her daughter. That was what mattered now.
The numbers in her wallet and bank account made her stomach twist. Even if the landlady gave her five days grace until her benefits came through, it wouldnt be enough. They still needed food. Remote work was an optionbut Anthony had taken his laptop.
Two weeks of paid rent remained. Two weeks to figure something out.
But calls to every contact yielded nothing. No one would hire a single mother with a toddler. Even cleaning jobs required someone to watch Emily for hours. There was no one. Moving to a cheaper flat wouldnt helpthey were already in the least expensive part of town. Her only option was her parents house. But her brother had married young, and his familywife and twin boyscrammed into their mothers two-bedroom. Five people already. Adding herself and Emily? Impossible.
She told the landlady shed be gone by the end of the fortnight. Rooms in shared houses were an option, but the places shed seen? Not fit for enemies, let alone a child. She messaged Anthony, begging for helpfor Emilys sake. He didnt reply. Likely blocked her.
Five days left. She packed what little they owned, if only to keep busy. Then the doorbell rang.
Valerie stood on the thresholdher mother-in-law.
*What now?* Helen thought, stepping aside.
Their relationship had always been strainedpolite smiles masking quiet resentment. From the moment they met, Valerie made it clear Helen wasnt good enough for her son. The disapproval never faded, not even when Helen was pregnant. After Emilys birth, Valerie had the nerve to suggest a paternity test*She doesnt look like our side of the family.*
It wasnt until Emily turned six months that Valerie softened, spotting familiar features. Anthony had pleaded for patience*Mum raised me alone. Shes just protective.*
Now, after Anthonys betrayal, here she was. Probably come to gloat.
Helens thoughts shattered at Valeries sharp tone.
“Pack your things. You and Emily arent staying here.”
“Valerie, I dont”
“Just do it. Youre coming with me.”
“To *your* place?”
“Where else? Back to your mothers, where theyre packed like sardines?”
“You knew?”
“Of course I knew. My idiot son only told me today. Ive got a three-bedroom. Theres space.”
Helen had no choice.
Valeries house was intimidating at first. But she showed them to a clean, bright roomEmilys crib already set up. Once Helen had settled Emily to sleep, she hesitated in the kitchen doorway.
“Look, Helen,” Valerie said, not unkindly. “I know weve never got on. But Im sorry. If you can forgive me.”
“You just wanted what was best for him.”
“Best for *him*?” Valerie scoffed. “I was selfish. Today, when he called meGod, the things he said. Forgive me for raising a son like that. His father left us when he was three months old. He *knows* how hard it is. And still, he” She cut herself off. “Stay as long as you need.”
Helen hadnt expected this. Words failed her. Tears splashed onto the table.
“Dont start blubbering,” Valerie muttered.
“Itsthank you.”
“Dont. Consider it my penance. Well manage. Roof over our heads, at least. When you find work, Ill mind Emily.”
From that day, they were inseparable. Valeries sharp edges remained, but she checked herselfoffering advice gently, not with force.
The day Emily turned one, they decorated the house with balloons. A warm apple pie sat on the table. Emily wobbled toward the colours, giggling as she took her first unsteady steps. Valerie clapped”Look at her go!”before scooping her up when she plopped down, declaring *enough walking for today.*
Then the doorbell rang.
Valerie answeredand froze. Anthony stood there, some woman beside him.
“Hi, Mum,” he said casually, stepping inside.
“Well, this is a surprise. Five months of silence, and now *this*?”
“Cant I just visit?”
“Not without reason. Spit it out.”
“Mum, rents ridiculous. Angela and I thought wed stay here awhile.”
“Angela?” Valeries voice turned icy. “And whos *she*?”
Anthony faltered. “Come on”
“No room. Ive got others living here.”
“Oh, what, youve got a *bloke* now?”
“Even if I did, its none of your business. Watch your mouth.”
Anthony pushed pastthen stopped dead.
Helen and Emily sat at the table, surrounded by birthday decorations.
“Son, youre not welcome here.” Valeries voice was steel. “See? Were busy.”
“Whys *she* here?”
“That *she* is still your wife. Final divorce hearings tomorrownot that youll bother showing up. And today? Your daughters first birthday. Not that *you* remembered.”
“I thought we were divorced already. Andhow do I even know shes mine?”
Valeries laugh was bitter. “Youd know if you *came round*. But no. Helen and Emily live here now. Traitors dont. Doubt her? Get a DNA test. Waste your money. Now *leave*.”
Anthonys jaw tightened. “Mum, if I walk out that door”
Valerie pointed.
That night, once Emily slept, Helen found Valerie in the kitchen.
“Mum are you okay? I can go. Hes your son.”
“He *is* my son,” Valerie said quietly. “But you dont treat a child like that. Wives come and go. Children? Even when marriages end, you step up. *He knew* what it was like for us.” She shook her head. “I wont forgive him until he understands.”
Four years later:
“Helen, how long are you going to hide this man from me?”
Helen flushed. She hadnt realised Valerie knew.
“Oh, dont go red like a schoolgirl. Bring him round.”
“Youre sure?”
“As long as hes good to you and Emily, Im happy.”
Valerie attended Helen and Davids wedding. She approvedhe was steady, kind, and adored them both.
“Dont think this means Im done helping with Emily,” she warned.
“Mum, Id never. She adores you.”
When Helen and David had a son, Valerie claimed him as her grandson too. No one argued. Helen had long thought of her as family
