**A Blow to the Family: “He Brought Someone Else Instead”**
Lacey had gone to stay with her parents in the countryside for a couple of weeks—to rest, clear her head, and recharge after sleepless nights with their baby. Her husband, Oliver, was supposed to drive down that weekend, like always, and bring her back to the city. That Saturday morning, she picked some potatoes from the garden, packed her bags, dressed their son nicely, and sat by the window waiting. When a car pulled into the driveway, her heart leapt—but instead of Oliver, his grandad, Arthur Wilson, stepped out.
“Where’s Oliver? Couldn’t make it?” Lacey asked, stepping outside, surprised.
Arthur’s expression was grim. He didn’t mince words.
“He’s fine. But there’s something you need to know… and I figured you should hear it from me.”
Lacey stiffened. A cold dread crept through her. She braced herself for the worst.
Oliver’s life had never been easy. His dad walked out when he was three, ran off with another woman. His mum, working long shifts, couldn’t manage alone, so she sent him to live with her parents. They’d just retired, still spry, and threw themselves into raising him. They loved him like their own son, and even grown, they still saw the little boy who’d chased butterflies in their garden.
Oliver studied hard, graduated, landed a job at a big firm. One winter, he caught the flu and went to the clinic—that’s where he met Lacey. A young nurse, gentle and bright as sunshine. She was from a village, studying part-time, sharing a flat with her best mate. They fell for each other fast. Oliver didn’t introduce her to his mum—he’d cut ties years ago—but to his grandparents. They adored her, and after the wedding, offered them the upstairs of their house.
Lacey fit right in—quiet, hardworking, kind. Two years later, they had a baby. Oliver was over the moon—at first. But the little one was colicky, cried all night, never settled. Oliver moved to the spare room. Then he started working later and later. Lacey felt the distance but kept it to herself—never complained to him or the old folks.
One day, she couldn’t take it anymore. Told Oliver she was going to visit her parents for a fortnight. To her surprise, he seemed almost relieved. Too relieved. She pushed the thought away, but it gnawed at her.
A week passed. Then, Oliver showed up at Arthur and Margaret’s house—with another woman.
“Meet Chloe,” he said cheerfully, nodding at the leggy blonde with glossy lips.
“Who the devil is this?” Arthur frowned.
“My girlfriend. She’s moving in with me here.”
“Have you lost your mind?!” Margaret cut in. “What about Lacey and your son?”
“We’re getting divorced,” Oliver said flatly.
Chloe stepped forward. “Are we just gonna stand here? Let’s go—clearly we’re not wanted.”
“Too right,” Arthur growled. “You’re not welcome in this house.”
The next day, Arthur drove to fetch Lacey. When she saw him alone, her stomach lurched.
“…Where’s Oliver? Is—is he sick?”
“Busy,” Arthur muttered. But when they were alone, he told her everything.
Lacey cried—quiet, broken sobs, like someone who’d already known but hoped they were wrong.
“You’re not just a guest here—you’re family,” Arthur said firmly. “You’re not going anywhere. There’s work nearby, a good school for the lad. Stay.”
Later, they found out Oliver had rented a flat for him and Chloe, ignoring his son completely. Not a penny in support. Just silence.
“I can’t live off you forever,” Lacey said one evening. “I need a job, but he’s still so little.”
“You’ll file for child maintenance tomorrow,” Arthur said. “He’ll do his duty. If not willingly, then by law.”
Oliver went ballistic. Chloe sneered, “Maybe get a DNA test, eh? Who knows if it’s even yours?”
Oliver said nothing. He knew.
“Doesn’t matter,” she went on. “Those old codgers won’t be around forever. When they’re gone, we’ll turf her out.”
But Arthur had heard. He knew time wasn’t on his side. One day, he handed Lacey a deed—the house, in her name.
“This… this doesn’t seem right,” she whispered. “He’s your grandson.”
“And you’re our family,” Arthur said. “He turned his back. We’re just setting things straight.”
That night, Lacey wept again—but this time, from gratitude. Her heart was shattered, but for the first time, she didn’t feel alone. Behind her stood people who loved her. And for them—she’d keep going.
