“I’m taking back the keys to my flat. You won’t get another penny from me, Mum.”
Emily had met Robert on the street. She was rushing to the gym when the traffic light refused to change. Glancing around, she spotted a gap between cars and decided to make a dash for the other side.
Just then, a car sped around the corner, its driver in just as much of a hurry. The amber light flashed, and the driver pressed the accelerator. It seemed inevitable—the car and the woman cutting across its path were about to collide. But at the last moment, the driver slammed the brakes and swerved. Luckily, no one was hurt. The light turned red, freezing the traffic in place.
The screech of tires sent Emily standing stock-still in the road, eyes squeezed shut, bracing for impact. Instead, she heard the furious shouts of the driver as he leaped out.
“Are you out of your mind? If you don’t care about yourself, at least think about others! What kind of lunatic jumps in front of a car? Couldn’t you wait a second? I swear—”
Emily opened her eyes to see a man in his forties, face twisted with anger.
“I’m so sorry,” she pleaded, clasping her hands. “Please understand—my son’s competition is today. He’d be crushed if I missed it. He’s worked so hard… I was already running late. My boss wouldn’t let me leave early. Every second counts.” She trailed off suddenly.
The man listened, his shouting subsiding. Without the fury, he looked quite handsome. Emily flushed.
The light changed, and cars began moving. He grabbed her arm and hauled her onto the pavement.
“Going to the gym, were you?” he asked, calmer now.
“Yes… How did you know?”
“You just said you were going to a competition. Get in the car—I’ll drive you.”
“Oh, no, I couldn’t possibly—”
“Get in,” he ordered.
She scrambled into the passenger seat. Three minutes later, they pulled up outside the gym. The man stepped out too.
“Really, I can manage—” Emily stammered.
“Dad!” A teenage girl with a backpack barrelled into him.
They hugged, then got back into the car. Emily watched, dazed, before snapping out of it and bolting inside.
That’s how she met Robert. Sometimes, love sprouts from a chance encounter and a near-miss.
Emily made it just in time. Her son, Jack, placed third in his event.
“So, café? Celebrate your win?” she asked when he emerged from the changing rooms.
“I didn’t win. Just third place,” Jack muttered.
“Just third?” Emily echoed. “How many boys competed? Only three won, and you were one. I’m proud of you. Next time, you’ll take first.” She ruffled his hair. “Were you nervous?”
“A bit. Let’s go home. I’m tired. Thought you weren’t coming.”
Three days later, Emily spotted Robert outside the gym again.
“You? Picking up your daughter?”
“It’s Robert. No—her session ended hours ago. I was waiting for you.” He hesitated. “Wanted to ask how your son did. Did you make it?”
“Thanks to you. He came third.”
“Brilliant! So the risk paid off.” They both laughed.
A boy approached them.
“Your son?” Robert asked.
“Yes, Jack. This is Robert—”
“Just Robert.” He held out his hand.
Jack shook it firmly. When they reached Emily’s flat, Robert invited them to watch a professional match that weekend.
“Seriously? Mum, let’s go!” Jack beamed.
“So, settled?” Robert looked at Emily hopefully.
“I’m not big on sports,” she shrugged.
“Then take my card. Save my number so you know it’s me calling.”
“I don’t have a card.” Emily pulled out her phone and keyed in his number.
“Saved,” Robert said, declining the call.
“Who was that?” Jack asked as they climbed the stairs.
“Remember when I nearly missed your competition? He gave me a lift—after almost running me over.”
“You never mentioned that.”
“He didn’t hit me. And I made it in time to see you win.”
She and Robert started dating. Soon, they’d meet Jack together after training.
“Mum, is he in love with you?” Jack asked once.
“What, is that so impossible? Am I old or ugly?”
“No. You’re really pretty.”
“Glad you noticed. I’m thirty-two—still young. You okay with this?”
“Dunno. Do you like him?”
“Well… yes.” Emily blushed.
“Will his daughter be my sister now?”
“Too soon to say. Would you mind having a sister?”
“Not sure,” Jack admitted.
He’d never known his father, who’d left when he was two. Other boys bragged about gifts from their dads—phones, tablets. Jack never cared about the gadgets. He just wanted a dad.
When Robert gave him a top-tier phone for his birthday, Jack warmed to him. They became friends.
Three months later, Robert proposed and asked them to move in.
“Enough hiding. We’re adults.”
“Isn’t this too fast? Jack understands dating, but living together is different. And your ex could come back,” Emily fretted.
“She left me for a millionaire, took our daughter, and only crawled back when he dumped her. She’s manipulating our girl now. I won’t forgive that. And let’s not talk about my mum—she’s enough of a headache. I love you.”
Emily agreed after some thought. Jack switched schools to avoid the long commute.
“What about my friends?” he whined.
“See them on weekends.”
“Fine,” Jack grumbled.
Emily hadn’t travelled in years. They planned a summer trip to the Mediterranean, with Robert covering costs. But he paid hefty child support, funded his mum’s medicines, and spoiled Emily and Jack. So Emily started a holiday fund, adding her bonus before New Year’s.
She opened her jewellery box and gasped—the money was gone. Who could’ve taken it? Only Jack or Robert had access. Robert didn’t need it. That left Jack.
By the time he came home, Emily had spiralled—was he being bullied? Blackmailed? Into drugs?
“Where’s the money I saved?” she demanded.
“What money? No one’s threatening me!”
“It’s gone. Who took it?”
“You think I stole it? Maybe Robert did! Or you moved it! I’d lie about grades, not money. If you trust cash more than me—” Jack bolted.
“Jack!” Emily chased him.
He shoved on his trainers and coat and fled. The front door slammed.
“What have I done?” She grabbed her coat as Robert walked in.
“Where are you going?”
“Jack ran off! I accused him—”
“Of what?”
“Money’s missing. I’ll explain later!”
“I’m coming.”
They searched the streets.
“Call his old friends,” Robert suggested.
“I accused him of stealing. What if he—”
“Did you check my mum’s?” Robert tensed. “She has a key.”
Emily froze.
“There he is!” Robert pointed.
Jack ducked behind a hedge. Robert sprinted after him.
“Jack! Wait! We know it wasn’t you!”
Jack stopped.
“Come home. Your mum’s sorry.”
“Who took it then?”
“Your grandma,” Robert admitted later. “My ex put her up to it—wanted us to fight. Thought I’d blame you.”
“Maybe we rushed this,” Emily whispered.
“No. I took her key. She won’t bother us again.”
Mothers often resent their sons’ lovers. The first wife was bad enough, but a single mum? Surely her boy deserves better.
To her, he’ll always be her child. Her blind love—her certainty she knows best—could’ve ruined lives. It’s frighteningly easy to destroy, even your own son’s happiness.
But it worked out. In time, she’d see sense. They’d reconcile.
