Yes, take him away for good! Why all this ceremony? Sarah snapped, irritated.
I never asked you what to do! Michael replied in the same tone.
If youd ever asked, you wouldnt be so stubborn! Sarah shot back.
And even if Id asked, Id have asked you! Michael huffed. Nothing depends on you!
So its not your place to tell me what to do or how to behave!
Youve got no conscience, Sarah said hurtfully. Fine, Im the one who should be thinking of our son!
And you think I dont? Michael shouted. I think about him more than you ever could!
Not only think, I also support and raise him! he added. And you can keep threatening that youll go to work!
I will! Sarah exclaimed. As soon as I find something!
First find something, Michael retorted without lowering his voice. Then you can open that mouth of yours!
Michael listened to Sarahs offended sighs for a few minutes, then went back to packing.
You know, Kevin feels hurt that youre always with Tom, Sarah said relatively calmly. When youre with them together, even Ive noticed you give Tom more attention!
Hes older! Theres plenty to talk about, and the boy is already starting to think for himself! Michael replied. Well see what he becomes!
Does your own son no longer interest you? Sarah asked.
Hes still a baby! By law he needs more mothers care than fathers! Michael answered. So look after Kevin while hes still small! And Ill
Ill spend time with my nephew, Sarah finished her husbands sentence. Hear that? My nephew! And youre ignoring your own son!
No ones spitting on anyone! Michael grimaced. I give everyone my time! But Kevin has a dad whos always there, while my sister raises her son with my mother, not with a man! Two women isnt what a twelveyearold boy needs!
Should I turn cold toward the way two women are breaking my nephews mind? Sarah asked. Will that make him a real man?
Sarah, should I call my mother over so youll finally care about Kevin? she snapped.
Both of you are out! Michael roared. All Im missing is your mother!
And Kevin? Sarah pressed, her voice sharp.
Hell stay with me, of course! Youve got nothing to give him! Michael said with a sneer. Did you think Id line you up with fairytale alimony? Youll never get it! Youll have to pay me yourself! At least get a proper job so you dont just sit around!
Sarah swallowed that insult too, because Michael was right. She had nothing left. Her ambitions had vanished during the marriage; she never even earned a degree. Shed taken a maternity leave from university and never returned to the lecture hall.
Michael kept packing in total silence.
Did you buy all those toys for Tom? Sarah broke the quiet, surprised. I thought Kevin would get something
Hes got enough already, Michael waved it off. And Tom has no one else to count on but his uncle!
Both their mothers were useless, and the nephew was pitiable. Hed end up lost with them.
Sarah could think of nothing to say, so she simply walked over to help Michael. Then a greeting card slipped from the pile.
She caught it automatically, opened it, and read the message. Her eyes widened as the card fell to the floor.
Michael, what does to my beloved son mean?
Who asked you to stick your nose where it doesnt belong? Michael shouted, pushing Sarah away. Stop meddling!
Ill stop, Sarah muttered. But what does it mean?
Good grief, can you really be that clueless? Michael exclaimed. Any sensible woman would have guessed by now!
Sarah had every chance to become Michaels second wife, but fate had slated her to be his first. The woman foretold to be his first wife never wanted the title. She lived with Michael in a rented flat for about a year, then vanished without a trace. Her parents claimed they didnt know where Victoria had gone; friends and acquaintances could only guess.
Michael mourned brieflyactually, he barely mourned. As the saying goes, A weight off ones shoulders, and life feels lighter. He went on with his life, finding a strange sort of pleasure in it.
A year later Victoria resurfaced, this time with a baby in her arms. Word spread among acquaintances that shed given birth to Michaels child. Rumours swirled that shed soon corner Michael, demand alimony, or even force a marriage. But that never happened.
Victoria had come simply to hand over the child to its father and disappear forever. If shed just handed Michael a bundle, who knows how the story would have ended? Michael could have calmly taken the child to a childrens home, saying hed found it on the street, and the boys fate would have been sealed.
Instead, she acted smarter. She placed the infant in a basket on the doorstep of the flat where Michaels mother and sister lived, and tucked a tearful letter inside, explaining that she wanted to raise the child but had no money, no strength, no means. She mentioned her postnatal depression and a serious diagnosis that would require lifelong treatment, pleading not to abandon the childher nephew and grandson.
Michael was summoned for clarification.
How am I supposed to know? he shrugged. Maybe she just wandered in and you all believed her! Well run a test and then decide.
The test confirmed the baby was Michaels son. A lengthy discussion began.
Where do I put this child? What am I supposed to do with him, especially now that Ive just started my business? Michael complained. I have contracts, negotiations, deals! Im still grinding because I cant afford a full staff!
What are you proposing? Anna, Michaels motherinlaw, asked. Hand the child over to a childrens home?
Were the only ones who know hes ours, together with Victoria. She wont be seen in town again, I assume, Michael said.
Michael, we know! Anna pressed. How will we live if our own child ends up in a home?
Id survive, Michael muttered. Thats what I wish for you too!
You have no conscience, sending a child to an orphanage, Lucy, Michaels sister, snapped. Id never hand my own child over!
She was twenty, had started a relationship, became pregnant, then suffered a miscarriage and was diagnosed with a condition that meant she could never have children again. Children were a painful topic for her.
Youll regret it! Anna warned. If you put him in a home, vengeance will come from above, and youll lose everythingyour business, your happiness, even your life!
Enough! Michael banged his fist on the table. Since youre all gathered here as the proper, fair, and compassionate ones, heres the plan: Lucy will take the child under her wing, Ill find the money, and well sort everything out. Well raise him together, and Ill act as a good uncle, helping and taking part in his upbringing!
Help? Lucy asked, puzzled.
Support him! Michael shouted. Clear enough?
What if you get married? Anna asked.
What changes? Michael shrugged. Ill keep helping my sister with her nephew. Everything will be fine!
Michael never missed a payment; he transferred the money honestly and on time. Yet he rarely appeared for three years. When his mother or sister asked, he said he was busy with both business and arranging his personal life.
Everyone met at a wedding, which left a bitter aftertaste, but Michael filled everyones ears with whatever satisfied the curious.
So his mother and sister were busy with the nephew, while Sarah was expecting a baby herself. When their son Kevin was born, Michael began to change. He watched his bloodrelation grow, but the constant shouting irritated him, reminding him of Tom.
Hes already shouting his own stuff now!
He started visiting his sister and mother more often to bond with the nephew. Fatherly feelings, awakened by Kevins birth, poured out more toward Tom because Tom responded. Kevin, however, always lingered on the side.
The situation lasted eight years. Kevin wasnt completely ignored; he did get attention, but Michael felt it was enough. Yet he gravitated more toward Tom. A fouryear gap is a huge difference for children. Activities suitable for a twelveyearold dont fit an eightyearold, and Michael had already exhausted what he could do with Tom, leaving Kevin uninteresting.
Sarah watched as their own son slipped into second place in favour of the nephew. Resentment, jealousy, irritation, and outrage swirled, but she could do nothing. She became financially dependent on Michael. When she considered work and even began looking, she was offered lowpaid, unskilled jobs. She was a businessmans wife, accustomed to comfort.
I cant be a cleaner or a dishwasher!
All she could manage were a few sharp remarks, hoping Michael would remember their sonat least treat him with the same attention he gave the nephew.
***
So, is this your son? Sarah blurted, stunned. Your own child? Why is your sister raising him?
Yes, Sarah, Tom is my son! Lena isnt his mother, but she raises him like her own! And Tom already knows she isnt his real mother! Michael barked. What more do you want from me?
Do you think its easy for me? Its a constant backandforth!
Sarah rubbed her forehead, then covered her mouth with her hand, inhaled deeplya gesture of bewilderment and suppressed panic.
Michael, what if we take him in? she suggested calmly. Let the brothers live together! Ill try to be a mother to Tom.
What? I didnt get that! Michael replied, still angry.
Im saying, lets bring Tom into our home! Let the brothers grow up together! If he wont accept me, at least his father will always be nearby, and you wont have to split yourself between two sons!
Are you willing to adopt my child? Michael asked, doubtful.
Why not? Sarah shrugged. Im even ready to adopt him!
Sarah was being a bit mischievous; she wasnt sure she could truly take anothers child, but thought that with both boys under one roof, Michael would give them equal time. Shed then work to make sure love and attention were shared.
Michael thought it over for a week, then decided. He took Tom, officially recognised him as his son, and Sarah adopted him as promised.
Look after her! Anna urged Michael. Shes a saint. Another woman would have sent you to the devil, but she understood, forgave, and accepted!
Seeing his wifes generous act, Michael looked at her with new eyes, a genuine love and gratitude shining through.
Tom accepted Sarah as a mother, though it took a full year before he started calling her Mum. Eventually, they became an ordinary, happy family.
The lesson? When pride and stubbornness divide a household, opening hearts and sharing responsibilities can weave a stronger, more loving tapestry for everyone involved.
