Little Molly could never understand why her parents didnt love her.
Her dad found her irritating, and her mother seemed to go through the motions of caring for hermore concerned with keeping her husband happy than doting on her daughter.
Her grandmother, Margaret Wilson, from her fathers side, insisted that both parents worked hard to provide for Molly, and with all the household chores, they were stretched thin.
The truth came out when Molly was eight, during a heated argument between her parents that she overheard by chance.
“Nina, youve salted the soup again!” her father roared. “Cant you do anything right?”
“Michael, really! I tasted itit was fine!” her mother protested.
“Everythings always fine with you!” he snapped. “Couldnt even give me a son. The lads at the pub take the mickcall me useless!”
Unlikely, of coursehe was a stern man, a long-haul trucker whod seen plentybut the resentment in his voice, directed at his wife for giving him a daughter instead of a son, made Mollys stomach twist.
Now she understood why they sent her to Grannys whenever he returned from a triphe couldnt stand the sight of his “failed heir.”
At Margarets, Molly was happy. They did homework together, cooked, sewed little dresses Still, it stung that her parents treated her this way.
Not long after that argument, Michael and Nina announced they were moving to London.
They claimed theyd grown stale in their small town, wanted a fresh startmaybe even a son this time. Of course, it was Michaels decision, and Nina went along, as always.
Only one problemthey didnt want Molly to come.
“Youll stay with Granny for now, and well fetch you later,” her mother muttered, avoiding her eyes.
“I dont even want to go!” Molly said defiantly, though her heart ached. “Im better off here!”
Fine! Shed stay with her loving grandmother, her friends, her teachers.
Let her parents live as they pleasedshe wouldnt waste another tear on them.
Molly had just turned ten when Michael and Nina finally had their long-awaited sonher brother, Benjamin.
Her father announced it proudly over a video callneither parent had visited Molly in years. Her mother phoned occasionally; her father just “sent his regards.”
Occasionally, theyd transfer small sums to Margaret, but mostly, her grandmother supported Molly alone.
A year later, her mother suddenly declared Molly was to move in with them. She even came in person to insist.
“Darling,” she chirped. “Well finally be a proper family! Youll get to know your little brother.”
“I dont want to go,” Molly said flatly. “Im happy with Granny.”
“Dont be difficult! Youre old enough to help your mother now.”
“Nina, rein it in!” Margaret cut in. “If you think youre turning Molly into a free nanny, think again!”
“Shes *my* daughterIll decide!” Nina snapped.
But Margaret wasnt one to back down.
“Push this, and Ill report you for child abandonment! Lose your rights, and the shamell follow you forever!”
They argued moreabout what, Molly didnt hear. Granny sent her to the shop. But her mother never spoke of moving again, and left the next day.
The next ten years passed without a word from her parents. Molly finished school, then college, and with help from Grannys old friend, Edward Thompson, landed a job as an accountant at a small firm.
She started dating a driver named William, and they planned to marryuntil Margaret passed away, forcing them to postpone.
Her parents showed up to the funeraljust the two of them. Benjamin stayed with a friend”no place for a boy at such a sad affair.”
Molly didnt care. Shed loved her grandmother deeply, and the loss left her numb.
Maybe thats why she didnt grasp her fathers words at first, as he eyed the flat over the funeral meal.
“Hmm. Place needs work. Wont fetch much.”
“Michael” Nina chided. “Not now.”
“Why not? Best settle things fast. Benjamins alone back home.”
“Edward,” Michael continued, “you know any estate agents? Need to sell this place.”
“Sell?” Edward frowned. “What exactly?”
“This flat! Need funds for Benjamins future. Wont cover a London place outright, but enough for a deposit. Mortgage paid off by the time hes eighteen.”
Molly, tearful, stared out the window, barely listening.
“Michael,” Edward said slowly, “youd toss your own daughter out?”
“Shes grown! Let her husband house her!”
“Right” Edward sighed. “Well, youre out of luck. Margaret left a willthis flats Mollys now.”
Michael fell silent.
“Turned Granny against me, did you?” he spat at Molly, who finally tuned in. “Doesnt matter. Well contest it.”
“Try,” Edward said calmly. “But know thisI wont let you hurt her.”
One day was all it took for Michael to consult a solicitor and realize the law sided with Molly.
He could fightexpensive, no guaranteesor try guilt.
“Got no shame?” he hissed. “Youll have a husband to provide. Benjamin *needs* this! Give up the flat!”
“No.”
“Finewell buy you out. Ten grand. Enough for your own deposit.”
“Not interested. Leave.”
“You little”
“Call the police, and youll be removed.”
Molly had no intention of dishonoring Margarets wishesnor of ending up homeless.
Her father, who avoided the law at all costs, left with Nina that day. Four more years passed without a word.
In that time, Molly married William, and they welcomed a daughter, Margaret. Money was tight, but they were happy. Then her mother called.
“This is *your* fault!” she sobbed. “If you hadnt clung to that wretched flat, Michael wouldnt have worked himself to death!”
“Youre not thinking clearly. Need help with the funeral?” Molly asked quietly.
She pitied Michaelbut as she would a stranger, not a father.
“I need *nothing*! Benjamins an orphan because of you! Live with that!” The line went dead.
“Love, you know this isnt on you,” William said, seeing her pale.
“Maybe if Id”
“Dont. They abandoned you years ago. No guilt to carry.”
A year later, Nina reappeared unannouncedolder, tight-lipped, barely meeting Mollys eyes.
“We need money. Benjamins starting uni soon,” she demanded. “Likely wont get a bursarythanks to you.”
“Dont,” Molly cut in. “Im not to blame, and you know it.”
“Margarets upbringing shows,” Nina sneered. “She always hated meraised you the same.”
“One more word against her, and youre out,” Molly warned. “Ive no money to giveand wouldnt if I did.”
“Dont play poor! I see how you live.”
Theyd recently renovatedsaved for years, took a loan. But Molly wouldnt justify herself to this stranger.
“Not even ask about your granddaughter?”
“Shes got two parentsshes fine. Benjamin has no one!”
“Enough. Youre getting nothing.”
Old wounds flaredher parents had never dreamed of *her* future.
“Fine,” Nina headed for the door. “Youll regret this.”
That evening, Molly told William.
“What can she even do?” he mused. “Weve no savings to take.”
“No idea,” Molly said. “But shes got a plan.”
A week later, a court summons arrived.
“Lost your mind?” Molly asked coolly. “Whats this about?”
“Making you support your brother,” Nina declared. “The laws on my side. Still time to avoid humiliation.”
“And you wont be humiliated?”
“Im his motherfighting for him!”
“Then I was never yours,” Molly whispered, hanging up.
In court, Nina put on a showtearfully spinning tales of hardship, blaming Molly for Michaels death, painting herself as a grieving widow.
The judge seemed sympatheticuntil Molly spoke, calmly recounting the truth.
But what sealed it was the proof that Nina and Benjamin werent strugglingher case collapsed.
Nina left with one venomous glare.
Molly doubted this was the last shed see of her.
