Harlan Covington

Five Homes in the Family, Yet We Still Have to Rent – How Our Parents’ Attitude Is Forcing Us to Struggle Despite Their Property Wealth

Five flats in the family, and yet were forced to rent Im so used to it now that nothing surprises me anymore.

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A Promise Denis steered the car calmly and confidently along the highway, his friend Kirill riding shotgun as they headed back home after a two-day business trip to a nearby city. Their boss had sent them to clinch a major deal. “Kir, we really nailed it! Signed a huge contract, the boss will be thrilled,” Denis grinned. “Absolutely, mate, we’re lucky,” Kirill agreed. They were close friends and colleagues from the same London office. “It’s great to head home when someone’s waiting for you,” Denis said thoughtfully. “My Arisha is pregnant and struggling with morning sickness. I feel for her—but we wished for this baby so much, she’s determined to endure it all for our little one.” “Having a child is wonderful. Marinka and I haven’t had much luck, she can’t carry a pregnancy. We’re preparing for our second round of IVF, the first failed,” Kirill confided. He and Marina had been married for seven years, desperately hoping for a child. Denis had married late, at thirty-two. He’d had relationships, but none swept him off his feet—until he met Arina. From then on, no one else existed for him. When Denis introduced Kirill to Arina and later invited him to be his best man at their wedding, Kirill couldn’t help but envy his friend’s luck. Arina was beautiful and gentle—anyone would fall hard for a woman like her. Outside, a fine October rain spattered the windscreen, the wipers flicked occasionally as the friends chatted. Suddenly, Denis’s phone rang—it was Arina. “Hello, Arisha, yes, we’re on our way, should be home in about two hours. How are you? Still the same? Don’t lift anything heavy, I’ll do everything once I’m home. Kisses, see you soon, love.” Kirill listened and pictured Arina waiting anxiously. He thought, “Marina isn’t like that, she never worries about me. She always thinks I’m just devoted—work, home, everything tidy. So different from Arisha.” Suddenly, Denis swerved—their car headed straight toward a delivery van, collision was imminent. At the last second, Denis veered into a lamp post on his side, sending them off the road. Kirill came to, head throbbing, blood on his arm. The car was upright, door open on his side. Denis wasn’t moving. Bystanders rushed over, cars stopped on the shoulder. Kirill found himself lying on wet grass, waiting for an ambulance. Denis was pulled from the wreck and put on a stretcher. Kirill bent over him—Denis whispered weakly: “Look after Arisha…” They were rushed to hospital. Kirill had a fractured arm and concussion, but was conscious, continually asking about Denis. Hours later, a nurse delivered the news: “Denis passed away…” Kirill was devastated, unable to attend the funeral. Marina told him how Arina sobbed, unable to accept her husband was gone, barely able to stand by his coffin. After hospital, Kirill and Marina visited Denis’s grave. Standing silently, Kirill made a promise: “Don’t worry, my friend—I’ll look after your wife, just as you asked…” A few days later, he visited Arina. She broke down in tears. “How can I live without him? I just can’t accept Denis is gone.” “Arisha, I promised Denis I’d help you. We’ll get through this together. Call me whenever you need, and I’ll come by.” Time passed. Arina slowly steadied herself, terrified that her grief would affect her pregnancy. Doctors warned her. Kirill visited twice a week, brought groceries, vitamins, sometimes drove her to the clinic. Arina never took advantage—she reached out only when she really needed help. “Kirill, I hate to take up your time…” “It’s fine, I promised Denis.” Kirill had conflicted feelings. Arina was the type of woman he’d always dreamed of, but felt thrown by the situation. While Arina endured her struggles, Kirill and Marina continued their journey through IVF—more tests, charts, disappointment. Childlessness was their ever-present pain. Marina didn’t know her husband was helping Arina. He kept Arina in his phone under “Charity”—knowing Marina might check who was calling. A second failed IVF attempt put their marriage under strain. Marina blamed Kirill, while he simply felt lost. She noticed his unusual behaviour—distracted, irritable, leaving often. Infidelity seemed unlikely; their bond, physically at least, hadn’t faded. Work was the only area thriving for Kirill. He took charge of the project he’d started with Denis, securing a successful contract. As Arina’s pregnancy advanced, she grew more vulnerable. Her parents lived far away, up in Newcastle. In London, she had no family. She suffered headaches, swollen ankles—but rarely complained. Once, Kirill arrived to find Arina climbing a step ladder to hang new curtains. “I’ve just cleaned the windows—hanging up fresh curtains,” she said cheerfully. “Get down, Arina,” he said sternly, eyeing her bump. “If you fall, the baby’s at risk!” He helped her down, finding himself trembling with concern. “Thanks, Kir,” but she dashed off to the bathroom, sick again. Kirill wiped sweat from his brow, thinking, “Does Denis see from wherever he is now? Well, this is what he asked for.” Next, Arina asked: “Denis, could you help me set up the nursery? I found some lovely wallpaper for it.” Kirill took charge of the nursery renovations, refusing to let the pregnant Arina exert herself. They worked together—or rather, she encouraged him while he did the heavy lifting. Renovation finished, Kirill felt torn: his wife depressed over infertility, while Arina was nearing her due date. Marina realised she needed to save their marriage, threw herself into her writing. Soon, a prominent magazine asked her to write a column. Delighted, she landed a generous fee, bringing home luxury groceries and wine to celebrate. “Wow, what’s the occasion?” Kirill asked, returning from work. “I got paid well—they finally gave me a contract!” Their favourite film played on TV as they sipped wine and enjoyed the spread. Suddenly, Kirill’s phone rang—Marina peered over his shoulder and saw “Charity” on the screen. He hurried to the kitchen. “What’s wrong?” Kirill asked quietly. “Kir, sorry, I think I’m about to have the baby… I called an ambulance,” Arina said. “But it’s too early?” “Seven months—it’s possible,” she grimaced with pain. “I’ll come to the hospital.” He quickly dressed while Marina looked on anxiously. “Are you leaving?” “Yes,” he muttered, inventing a story as he dashed out. “Who was that?” “The boss called late, needs to discuss charity work—I’ll explain later. Please, trust me.” But Marina wasn’t fooled. “Charity work at this hour? Boss calling? He’s lying to me.” Kirill raced to the hospital. Arina was already admitted. After two tense hours, a nurse informed him: Arina had given birth to a son. Relieved, Kirill returned home exhausted. Marina was wide awake, her eyes sharp. “So, your ‘Charity’ wore you out tonight?” she asked sarcastically. Kirill sank onto the sofa, replying honestly: “Yes, Marina. Arina just gave birth to a son. I promised Denis I’d help her. She’s all alone.” “I see. The puzzle pieces fit,” said Marina quietly. “Next step, you’ll help Arina with her baby, right?” “Yes,” Kirill replied sincerely. “Well, you know me—I won’t tolerate this. Not spending your time on someone else’s child—especially since we can’t have one and likely never will. So I’ll file for divorce. Maybe I’ll still meet a man and have my own.” Kirill looked at her in surprise, realising she blamed him for their childlessness. “That’s your choice, Marina. I won’t make excuses. I have to help Arina and her son.” Time passed. Marina filed for divorce. Kirill moved in with Arina, caring for little Daniel. Eventually, they married—and two years later, welcomed a daughter. Thank you for reading, subscribing, and supporting. Wishing you all the best in life!

A Promise David steered the car smoothly along the motorway, his friend Chris sitting beside him.

La vida

Antonina Petrovna Walked Through the Rain, Tears Mixing with Drops, Glad the Downpour Hid Her Sorrow—She Blamed Herself, Felt Like an Unwelcome Guest, Laughed Remembering a Joke, Then Cried Again at Home Under a Blanket Where Only Her Goldfish Could Hear—Once Loved by Many, Her Marriage to Nikita’s Father Ended in Jealousy and Violence, Until Her Own Father Threw Him Out—She Raised Her Son Alone, Paid for His Wedding and New Flat, Saved Money for Their Car, but After Being Snubbed by Her Daughter-in-Law During a Storm, She Dreamed of Her Goldfish Telling Her to Live for Herself, Took the Money She’d Saved and Bought a Trip to the Seaside, Came Back Tanned and Happy, Found Love with Her Charming Restaurant Boss, and Told Her Surprised Daughter-in-Law: “Sorry, Nastya, tea isn’t for everyone!”

Antonia Palmer walks slowly through the drizzle, tears streaming down her cheeks and merging with the rain.

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From Mother to Maid: When Evelyn Announced Her Wedding Plans, Her Son and Daughter-in-Law Were Shocked and Worried—But No One Expected She’d End Up Serving a New Family, Until She Finally Returned Home for Good

Became a Housemaid When I decided to remarry, it came as quite a shock to my son and daughter-in-law.

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A Fortunate Mistake… Growing Up in a Single-Parent Home Without My Father, Raised by Mum and Grandma Feeling the Absence of a Dad Even in Nursery, Especially in Primary School, Jealous of Friends with Proud, Strong Fathers Longing for Warmth When I Saw Dads Kiss Their Sons and Daughters While I Only Saw My Father’s Smile in a Photograph Mum Told Me He Was an Explorer Living in the Far North, Sending Birthday Gifts but Never Visiting In Year Three, I Overheard Mum Admitting There Was No Explorer Father, Only a Man Who Abandoned Us I Decided I Didn’t Want Any More Holiday Presents Pretending to Be from My Father—Just My Favourite Bird’s Milk Cake We Lived Honestly on Mum and Grandma’s Modest Salaries, So I Worked Loading Freight and, Later, Became Father Christmas for Extra Christmas Cash As a Student, Father Christmas Jobs at Homes Led to Unexpected Encounters, Including One at Sadovaya Street, Flat 19 There a Little Boy Named Artyom—My Namesake—Showed Me a Home So Familiar, Decorated Not With a Tree but With My Own Photograph Beside His Mum Lena’s Recalling My Summer Romance with Lena on a Student Build Site, Stunned to Discover She’d Raised Our Son in My Absence The Door Opens—Lena Returns, Shocked to See Me Behind the Father Christmas Beard Face to Face with Past Mistakes, Tears, Laughter, and Revelations We Reunite as a Family Thanks to My Accidental Visit to the Wrong Address A Joyful, Fatefully Happy Error—Now We’re Together: Mum, Son, and Father, With Grandma and Great-Grandma Celebrating Little Artyom Artyomovich!

A FORTUNATE MISTAKE… I grew up in a single-parent householdwithout a father. My mother and grandmother

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My Brother Refuses to Put Mum in a Care Home, Yet He Won’t Take Her In Himself – He Says There’s No Room!

My brother refuses to put Mum in a care home, yet wont take her to live with him apparently, theres no room!

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My Son Brought Home His New Girlfriend—She Seemed a Bit Suspicious A few days ago, my son introduced his girlfriend to our family. She’s a little younger than me, maybe four or five years. My son has fallen in love with a woman my own age and wants to marry her. The next surprise: she has a young daughter. I welcomed them warmly. The most important thing is that my son is happy, and that means I’m happy too, but I felt I had to speak to someone about it. As soon as they left, I called my best friend, who I fondly call my “calming medicine.” No matter what happens, she’s always there for me, offering wise advice that never fails. I told her the whole story and asked for her help in handling things the right way. We talked for ages, and who knows how long it would have gone on if my son hadn’t come home just then. He wanted to talk. I was nervous, worried he’d reveal something even more shocking. “Mum, I want her and her daughter to move in with us,” he said. I didn’t know how to react, but I agreed: let them move in. He was thrilled and went to tell them the news. All I could think was: Does she really love my son, or is she only interested because we have a lovely big house in central London and come from a wealthy family? With that thought, I drifted off to sleep. In my dream, my late husband told me, “It’s alright.” When I woke up, I understood: my son isn’t foolish. He knows what he’s doing, and even if he makes a mistake, he’ll fix it.

Just a few days ago, my son brought his girlfriend home. She appeared a bit suspicious to me.

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She Swapped Her Grandmother’s Unattractive Ring for Trendy Jewellery—and Her Mum Threw a Fit

My mum gave me my grandmothers ring. It isn’t the sort of vintage piece you’d expect;

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“Why bother with a mortgage? You can live with us—our home will be yours one day!” said my mother-in-law, but I’m not eager to wait fifty years to truly feel at home.

You two can live with uswhats the point in taking out a mortgage? Youll get our house anyway!

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Well Done! Husband Spends Nights with Current Wife and Days with His Ex

Splendid job! A husband with his current wife at night, but with his ex during the day. I am 38 years