Helen stood by the window, her little daughter Emily asleep in her arms. An hour had passed since shed been staring blankly at the courtyard below. Earlier that evening, her husband, Andrew, had come home from work but hadnt joined her in the kitchen. When she stepped into the living room, she found him packing his bags.
“Where are you going?” she asked, confused.
“Im leaving. Ive found someone else.”
“Andrew, is this a joke? Did something happen at work? Are you going on a trip?”
“Why cant you understand? Im tired of you. All you care about is Emily. You dont notice me anymore. You dont even take care of yourself.”
“Keep your voice downyoull wake Emily.”
“There you go againonly thinking about her. Your husband is walking out, and you”
“A real man wouldnt abandon his wife and child,” Helen said softly before retreating to Emilys room.
She knew Andrews temper. If she argued now, it would only lead to a screaming match. Tears welled up, but she refused to let him see them. She scooped Emily from her crib and took refuge in the kitchenhe wouldnt follow; there was nothing of his to take.
From the window, she watched him drive off without a backward glance. A foolish part of her hoped his car would reappear, that hed laugh and say it was all a cruel joke. But the street remained empty.
Sleep didnt come that night. There was no one she could callno family to lean on. Her mother had lost interest in her the day she married, doting only on her younger brother. Her friends were busy with their own children. What could they do for her anyway?
By dawn, exhaustion pulled her under. She tried calling Andrew, but he rejected the call and texted, *Dont bother me again.*
Emilys fussing snapped her back to reality. She couldnt afford to fall apart. He was goneso be it. She had her daughter, and that was enough. She needed to figure out how to survive.
A check of her purse and bank account sent a chill through her. Even if the landlady agreed to delay rent until her benefits came through, it wouldnt be enough. Food, utilitieseverything cost money. Remote work was an option, but Andrew had taken his laptop.
She had two weeks left in the flat to find a solution. Time was slipping away.
Desperate calls to acquaintances confirmed her fearsno one would hire a single mother. Even a cleaning job required someone to watch Emily for hours. Moving to a cheaper place wouldnt helpthey were already in the most affordable flat in town. Returning to her parents wasnt an option either; her brothers family of five crammed into their small house left no room for her and Emily.
With five days left, she began packing when the doorbell rang.
Standing there was Margarether mother-in-law.
*What now?* Helen 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 Helen wasnt good enough for Andrew. Visits were laced with passive-aggressive remarks about dust or meals “only fit for pigs.” When Emily was born, Margaret even suggested a paternity testuntil, months later, she finally saw Andrews features in the babys face.
Andrew had dismissed it, calling his mother overprotective. *She raised me alonecut her some slack.*
Now, Margaret stood in the hallway, her sharp gaze scanning the half-packed boxes.
“Pack your things. You and Emily arent staying here,” she said.
Helen blinked. “I dont understand.”
“Whats there to understand? Youre coming with me.”
“To *your* house?”
“Where else were you planning to go? Your mothers overcrowded flat?”
“You knew?”
“Of course I knew. That idiot only told me today. My house has three bedroomsplenty of space.”
Helen had no choice.
At Margarets home, fear gave way to quiet relief. A room was ready for her and Emily. After settling in, she found Margaret in the kitchen.
“Helen, I know weve never been close. But try to understandand forgive me.”
“You only wanted the best for your son.”
“Best? I was selfish,” Margaret snapped. “When Andrew called today and told me everything Im sorry for the son I raised. His father left us when he was three months old. *He* knew how hard it was for a single mother. But Andrew he repeated his fathers mistakes. Stay as long as you need.”
Helen never imagined Margaret would side with her. Words failed hertears spilled onto the table.
“None of that,” Margaret said sternly.
“Its just thank you.”
“Dont. Consider it my penance. Well manage. Roof over our heads, food on the table. When you find work, Ill watch Emily.”
From that day, they became inseparable. Margaret still had her sharp edges, but she softenedoffering advice, not criticism.
On Emilys first birthday, the house was filled with balloons and the smell of apple pie. When the doorbell rang, Margaret answeredonly to freeze.
Andrew stood there with another woman.
“Hi, Mum,” he said casually, stepping inside.
“Five months without a word. What brings you here?”
“Rents too high. Angela and I thought wed stay with you.”
“Angela? And whos this?”
“Mum”
“No room. Ive got others living here.”
“Youve got a *bloke* staying?”
“Even if I did, its none of your business. Watch your tone.”
Andrew pushed past her, spotting Helen and Emily at the birthday table.
“Son, youre not welcome here. Todays your daughters first birthdaynot that you remembered.”
“I thought we were divorced by now. And how do I even know shes mine?”
“If youd shown up, it *would* be final. Doubt her? Get a DNA testwaste your money. Now leave.”
“Mum, if I walk out now”
Margaret pointed to the door.
Later, Helen found her in the kitchen.
“Are you alright? I can leavehes your son.”
“Helen, he *is* my son. But no man treats his child like that. Wives come and gochildren dont. He knew how hard it was for me. I wont forgive him until he learns that.”
Years passed. Margaret doted on Emily and, later, Helens son with her new husband, Jamesa kind, responsible man who loved them both.
Andrew married Angela and moved away. Margaret kept distant tabs on him, but her heart now belonged to Helen and her grandchildren.
Love, she realized, wasnt just bloodit was loyalty. And sometimes, the family you choose is stronger than the one youre born into.
