Ethan abandoned her with their little daughter and left. But when her spiteful mother-in-law came to gloat, Lucy…
Lucy couldnt settle. Little Sophie had fallen asleep in her arms, yet she still lingered by the window, staring into the courtyard. An hour had passed.
Two hours earlier, her beloved husband Ethan had returned from work. Lucy had been in the kitchen, but he never joined her. When she stepped into the living room, she found him packing.
“Where are you going?” she asked, bewildered.
“I’m leaving. Leaving you for the woman I love.”
“Ethan, is this a joke? Did something happen at work? Are you going on a business trip?”
“Why wont you get it? Im tired of you. All you care about is Sophieyou dont even see me anymore. You dont take care of yourself.”
“Dont shoutyoull wake Sophie.”
“See? There you go again, only thinking about her. Your husband walks out, and you”
“A real man wouldnt abandon his wife and child,” Lucy murmured before slipping away to her daughter.
She knew Ethans temper. Continuing this conversation would only erupt into a fight. Tears welled, but she refused to let him see. She scooped Sophie from her cot and retreated to the kitchenEthan wouldnt follow. There was nothing of his to take there.
Through the window, she watched him climb into his car and drive off. He never looked back. Lucy, though, couldnt tear herself away. Maybe she hoped his car would reappear, that hed laugh it off as a cruel joke. But nothing happened.
Sleep eluded her all night. There was no one to call, no one to share her grief with. Her mother had long stopped caringshed celebrated Lucys wedding, then forgotten her. To Laura, thered only ever been one child: Lucys younger brother. Friends? They were mothers too, probably asleep. What could they do anyway?
Dawn crept in before exhaustion claimed her. She tried calling Ethan, but he declined and texted: *Stop bothering me.*
Sophie fussed, snapping Lucy back. No time to wallow. He was gonefine. She had her daughter. She had to think ahead.
A glance at her purse and bank balance made her stomach twist. Even if the landlady waited five days for the benefits to come through, it wouldnt be enough. They still needed food. Remote work was an option, but Ethan had taken his laptop.
Two weeks of paid rent remainedtime to figure something out. Fast.
But after calling every contact, reality sank in. No one would hire her with a toddler. Even mopping floors required someone to watch Sophie for an hour or two. And there was no one. Moving wouldnt help eitherthey already rented the cheapest flat. Her only option was her parents house, but her brother had married young and lived there with his wife and twin boys. Five people crammed into two bedrooms. Adding her and Sophie? Impossible.
She told the landlady shed leave when the rent ran out. Restless, she eyed hostel roomsbut the tenants there were the kind you wouldnt wish on an enemy. She begged Ethan for child support. No reply. Not even read. Blacklisted, probably.
Five days before moving, she began packing. Not much to pack, but it kept her busy. Then, the doorbell rang.
Standing there was Margarether mother-in-law.
*More trouble?* Lucy thought, letting her in.
Their relationship had always been strainedpolite smiles masking quiet disdain. From their first meeting, Margaret made it clear Lucy wasnt good enough. Like many mothers, she deemed her sons choice a mistake. So Lucy had insisted they wouldnt live together. Theyd rented instead.
Margarets visits were pure torment. *”Lucy, do you even dust in here?”* The food Lucy cooked? *”Fit for pigs.”* Things eased slightly when Lucy got pregnant, but after Sophies birth, Margaret sneered, *”She doesnt look like our side. Ethan should get a paternity test.”*
Only at six months did Margaret finally see family traits in Sophie and hesitantly held her. Ethan had soothed Lucy, saying his mother raised him aloneshe was just jealous. *”Bear with her; she doesnt visit often.”* Though Lucy wouldve welcomed help, she never asked.
And now here Margaret stood, after Ethans departure. Here to gloat, surely. But Lucy was past caring.
Margarets voice snapped her from her thoughts.
“Pack your things. You and Sophie dont belong here.”
“Margaret, I dont understand.”
“Whats there to understand? Pack. Youre coming with me.”
“To yours?”
“Where else? Your mothers, where its a full house already?”
“You… know everything?”
“Of course I know. Wish Id known sooner. That fool told me today. Ive got a three-bedroom house. Theres space.”
Lucy had no choice. *In for a penny…*
Arriving at Margarets, fear gripped heruntil Margaret showed them their room. Once Sophie was asleep, Lucy ventured to the kitchen.
“Lucy, I know weve never been close. But try to understand. Forgive me, if you can.”
“You just wanted the best for your son.”
“Best? Ha!” Margaret cut in. “I was selfish. Today he called and told me everything. Forgive me for raising such a son. I dont know where I went wrong. His father left when Ethan was three months old. He knew how hard it was for meyet he repeated that cowards *bravery.* Stay as long as you need.”
Lucy never imagined Margaret would take her side. Words failed her. Tears splashed onto the table.
“None of that,” Margaret said sternly.
“Im just… grateful.”
“Dont be. Im making amends. Well manage. Roof over our heads. When you find work, Ill mind Sophie.”
From that day, they were inseparable. Margarets sharp tongue still flared sometimes, but she reined it in. Advice came gently now, not as barbs.
Today was Sophies first birthday. The room glittered with balloons. An apple pie sat proudly on the table.
Sophie toddled toward the balloons.
“Lucy, lookher first steps!” Margaret beamed.
They caught her just as she plopped down, deciding that was enough walking for one day.
As they sat to eat, the doorbell rang. Margaret answeredand froze. Ethan stood there, a stranger beside him.
“Hi, Mum,” he said casually, stepping inside.
“Hello, son. What brings you?”
“Cant I just visit?”
“Five months without a word. Must be important.”
“Mum, rents expensive. Angela and I thought wed stay here.”
“Angela? Whos this?”
“Come on, Mum”
“No room. Ive got company.”
“Youve got a *bloke* here?”
“Even if I did, its none of your business. Watch your mouth.”
Ethan strode in and frozeLucy and Sophie at the birthday table, balloons everywhere.
“Son, youre not welcome. Were busy.”
“Whats *she* doing here?”
“*She* is still your wife. Final hearings tomorrownot that youll show. Todays your daughters birthday. Forgotten?”
“I thought we were divorced already. And *my* daughter? Doubt it.”
“If youd bothered coming, youd know. Lucy and Sophie live here. Traitors dont. Doubt paternity? Refuse child support? Go aheadwaste money on a DNA test. Now leave.”
“Mum, if I walk out now, its for good.”
Margaret said nothing. Just pointed to the door.
After Sophies bedtime, Lucy approached her.
“Mum, are you okay? Should I go? Hes your son.”
“Lucy, he is. But you dont treat a child like that. Wives come and gochildren dont. Even exes help. He knew my struggle. I wont forgive him till he learns.”
Four years later…
“Lucy, how long will you hide your man from me?”
Lucy flushed. She hadnt realized Margaret knew.
“Blushing like a schoolgirl! Introduce us.”
“Youre sure?”
“As long as hes good to you and Sophie.”
Margaret attended Lucy and Daniels wedding. She approvedhe was responsible, clearly loved Lucy, and adored Sophie.
“Dont think Ill stop helping with Sophie,” Margaret said at the reception.
“Mum, Id never. She loves you.”
When Lucy and Daniel had a son, Margaret declared him her grandson too. No one argued. Lucy had long thought of her as Mumcloser than her own mother ever was.
Ethan married Angela. They moved away. Through distant relatives, Margaret heard he was doing well. Hed hurt her, but he was still her son. Shed keep an eye on him.
But now? Now she had a daughter. And two grandchildren. For now. She hoped for more. There was plenty of love left.
So, friendswhat do you think of this tale?
