**Diary Entry**
I became close with my former son-in-law, but my daughter found out and declared war on me.
*”Mum, you have a new son-in-law now! How could you do this?”* Emily shouted, choking on her anger. *”I don’t want to see you near him ever again! Think about me for once!”*
Emily is forty, and her voice trembled with rage. She divorced Paul years ago and remarried someone else three years back. They had shared twelve years together, raising their daughter, Sophie, now ten. Recently, Emily caught her mother, Margaret, visiting her ex-husband in the quiet town of Ashford. She had brought Sophie for the weekend and was stunned to see her mother there—Margaret had been dropping by more often lately. Emily felt betrayed, and her resentment erupted like a storm.
Margaret had always longed for a son but was blessed only with a daughter. When Emily first brought Paul home, her parents weren’t impressed. A simple mechanic with no property of his own, he seemed an unlikely match. They greeted him coldly, but over time—especially after her husband’s passing—Margaret saw Paul’s kindness. He became her rock, helping without hesitation.
*”Forgive me, Margaret,”* Paul said not long after the wedding. *”My mother’s gone, but I can’t call you ‘Mum.’”*
She didn’t press him. His respect was enough. Eventually, she came to admire his skill and generosity. When Emily was pregnant with Sophie and Margaret was hospitalised for a kidney operation, Paul split himself between the hospital and home. He brought meals, comforted them, handled everything. After her recovery, he took over the household, sparing her and Emily any strain. And when Sophie was born, he glowed with pride, the perfect father.
But years passed, and Emily changed. Promotions at work, new social circles—she grew ashamed of Paul. She criticised his plain clothes, his accent, his lack of education. *”He can’t even discuss books properly!”* she’d complain to Margaret, comparing him to her colleagues. Margaret defended him:
*”You chose him, Emily. Your father didn’t approve, but you insisted. Why the outrage now?”*
Her heart ached watching the marriage crumble. Paul earned more than many professors, fixed everything at home, doted on Sophie—but Emily dismissed it. Once, Margaret snapped:
*”Paul has a heart of gold and hands to match! Not every professor puts family first like he does!”*
Emily only scoffed. She’d already met Anthony, her new beau, and soon compared him to Paul, finding only flaws in her husband. Before long, she filed for divorce. Paul listened silently, never raising his voice or hurling insults. He just walked to the kitchen, shoulders shaking with grief. He’d seen the coldness coming.
Paul left Emily the two-bedroom flat they’d bought together and moved into a rented bedsit. He paid child support without fail, spoiled Sophie with gifts, attended school events, and took her weekends. Emily dropped Sophie off, and life carried on—until Margaret started visiting him more often.
A year ago, Paul came to her himself.
*”Sorry it’s been so long. If you need anything fixed or fetched, just ask. And drop by mine sometime.”*
That’s how it began. He fixed leaks, brought groceries. She baked pies, chatted about life. They strolled through the park with Sophie, and Margaret realised Paul felt like a son. Meanwhile, Emily drifted away after remarrying, rarely calling—so Margaret cherished the warmth her former son-in-law gave.
But Emily discovered their meetings and exploded:
*”What, are you adopting him now? How can you keep him around when I have a new husband?”*
Her words stung, but Margaret wouldn’t back down. Paul was family—the one who stood by her in the darkest hours. She saw no wrongdoing, but Emily took it as betrayal. Now, her daughter barely speaks to her, and Margaret grieves, torn between love for Emily and loyalty to Paul.
She refuses to yield. Paul earned his place in her life through actions, not just words. Emily can rage, but Margaret won’t abandon someone who became her family. She only hopes her daughter will one day see: kindness outweighs pride.
**Lesson:** Blood ties don’t always define family. Sometimes, loyalty is earned, not inherited—and that’s worth holding onto, even when others don’t understand.
