Diary Entry
The memory still seems so fresh. I first met my husband at a mutual friends wedding in London. Id only just moved to the city, having landed a job, and honestly, I was overjoyed to finally have escaped the monotony of village life. Our relationship blossomed quicklyone year later, our daughter Grace was born.
But life never runs smoothly, does it?
One day, my husband turned to me and said, Why is our daughter blonde, with blue eyes, when both you and I have dark features?
Darling, it must be from your fathers side. Have you seen how much they look alike? I replied, hoping to put his mind at ease.
He wouldnt have it. Stop making excuses. She should look like one of us, not another relative. Even my mother says shes not mine.
My mother-in-law never accepted me. She always believed I didnt truly love her son. My father-in-law, on the other hand, was a wonderful mandivorced from my husbands mum and living with a new family, but he never forgot about his son.
It all came crashing down when my husband brought another woman into our flat and demanded I pack up my things and leave. I had no other option.
With nowhere to go, and knowing my parents would never accept me back home with a child (the shame of it!), I found myself homeless. Our old family cottage was freezing, and there was no heating. In desperation, I called my friend Emily, who let me stay with her for a few days. Eventually, I found a rented bedsit where Grace and I settledbarely scraping by as my money dwindled.
One afternoon in the local shop, I heard someone call my name.
Girls! Where have you been? I even went back to the village looking for you, my father-in-law, Mr. Thomas Bennett, exclaimed.
Im glad to see you, I whispered.
I know what my son did to you, and theres no excuse. He and my ex-wife are two of a kind… Where are you staying now?
Were renting a small room.
He nodded, glancing at his watch. Im rushing off nowIve got meetings all week. But once Im back, well sort your living situation. Take this, it should get you by for a couple of weeks, he said, handing me an envelope filled with pounds.
Relief washed over me. At least Id be able to buy food and milk for Grace.
Mr. Bennett came by a few days early, just to see how we were getting on. The look on his face when he saw our cramped, cold bedsit said it allhe was speechless. His wife wouldnt allow us to move in with them, but he found another way. Using all his savings, he bought a flat and put it in Graces name. I tried to refuse such generosity, but he was resolute. Im doing this for my granddaughter, he said.
Within a month, Grace and I had moved into our own little haven. Mr. Bennett even brought furniture and appliances to help us settle in.
Dont rush putting Grace into nursery, he advised. She needs her mum. Ill help you if you need anything, just ask. And by the way, my wifes had a change of heart and wants to meet Grace.
Tears welled in my eyes. Thank you so much.
He hugged me gently. Dont cry, love. You can always come to me for help. Everything will work out, youll see.
Looking back, Im so grateful Grace has such a wonderful grandfather, even if her father let us down. He gave up everything to make sure we were safe.
Years passed, and eventually, I remarried. But I never lost touch with Mr. Bennett. Hes always welcome in our home, and we visit him often. Life is good now and our hearts are at peace.
