Little Molly could never understand why her parents didnt love her.
Her father was always irritated by her, and her mother seemed to go through the motions of caring for her mechanicallymore concerned with keeping her husband in good spirits.
Her grandmother on her fathers side, Margaret Thompson, insisted it was because her parents worked so hardher father to provide, her mother to keep the household running.
The truth came out when Molly was eight and overheard her parents arguing.
“Emma, youve ruined the soup again!” her father bellowed. “Cant you do anything right?”
“John, please! I tasted itit was fine!” her mother protested weakly.
“Everythings always fine with you!” he snapped. “Couldnt even give me a son. The lads at work take the mickeycalling me soft!”
It was unlikely anyone mocked himhe was a stern man, a long-haul trucker whod seen his share of lifebut the bitterness in his voice made Molly shrink inside.
Now she understood why they sent her to stay with Gran whenever her father came homehe couldnt stand the sight of his “failure,” a daughter instead of a son.
Life with Gran was warm and kind. They studied, cooked, and sewed together. Yet it still hurt that her parents treated her this way.
Soon after that argument, John and Emma announced they were moving to a bigger city.
“Stuck in a rut here,” her father declared. “Time for something newmaybe then well have a son.”
Of course, her mother agreed. There was just one problemMolly wasnt invited.
“Youll stay with Gran for now,” her mother mumbled, avoiding her eyes. “Well fetch you later.”
“I dont want to go anyway,” Molly said proudly, though her heart ached.
Fine. Shed stay with Gran, with her friends and teachers who cared.
Her parents could do as they pleasedshe wouldnt waste another tear on them.
Molly had just turned ten when John and Emma finally had their long-awaited sonher brother, Oliver.
Her father announced it over a video callneither parent had visited in years. Her mother occasionally phoned; her father “sent his regards.”
Sometimes they sent Gran small sums, but mostly, Molly was her responsibility.
A year later, her mother suddenly declared Molly must move in with them. She even came in person.
“Sweetheart,” she chirped, “well be a proper family now! Youll finally meet your brother!”
“I dont want to go,” Molly said flatly. “Im happy here.”
“Dont be selfish, love! Youre grown nowtime to help your mum.”
“Emma, rein it in!” Gran cut in. “If you think Ill let you turn Molly into free childcare, think again!”
“Shes my daughterI decide!” her mother hissed.
But Gran wasnt one to back down.
“Try it, and Ill report you for abandonment! Youll lose your rightshumiliation and all!”
They arguedMolly didnt hear the rest; Gran sent her to the shopbut her mother never mentioned moving again. She left the next day.
Ten years passed without a word. Molly finished school, then college, and landed a job as an accountant at a small firm, thanks to Grans old friend, Edward Harris.
She started dating a driver named Tom, and they planned to marrybut the wedding was postponed when Gran passed away.
Her parents showed up for the funeral, just the two of them. Oliver stayed with a friend”no place for a boy at such a sad affair.”
Molly barely registered their presence. Her grief was too vast.
It took her a moment to realise what her father was discussing at the wake.
“Hmm The flats seen better days,” he mused, glancing around. “Wont fetch much.”
“John” her mother chided. “Not now.”
“Why not? Best settle things fast. Weve got Oliver waiting.”
“Edward, know any good estate agents?” he pressed.
“What exactly are you selling, John?” Edward asked.
“The flat, of course! Oliverll need a place of his own. This wont cover much, but its a startwell have the mortgage paid by the time hes eighteen.”
Molly, tear-streaked, stared out the window, numb.
“Throwing your own daughter out, John?” Edward said sharply. “Wheres she to live?”
“Shes a grown woman! Let her husband take care of her!”
Edward sighed. “Margaret was right about you. But it wont work. Theres a willthis flat belongs to Molly now.”
Her father fell silent.
“Turned Gran against us, did you?” he spat at Molly, who finally looked up. “Doesnt matter. Well contest it.”
“Margaret anticipated that,” Edward said calmly. “Try it, Johnyoull lose.”
Her father spent a day consulting lawyers, then gave up. Legal fees were steep, and victory wasnt guaranteed.
“Molly, have you no shame?” he tried instead. “Youll marryyour husband provides. Oliver needs this! Give it up!”
“Not a chance,” she said coldly.
“Fine. Well buy you out. A hundred grandenough for a deposit.”
“I dont want your money. Leave.”
“Why, you!”
“Call the police, and youll be removed.”
She wouldnt betray Grans kindness. She wouldnt be left with nothing.
Her father hated dealing with the law, so he and her mother leftsilent for four years.
In that time, Molly married Tom, and they had a daughter, Lily. Money was tight, but they were happy.
Then her mother called, hysterical.
“This is your fault!” she sobbed. “If you hadnt clung to that flat, John wouldnt have worked himself to death!”
“Are you alright? Do you need help with the funeral?” Molly asked quietly.
She pitied John, but only as a strangernot a father.
“I need nothing! Olivers an orphan because of you!” Her mother hung up.
“You know this isnt your fault?” Tom said gently, seeing her pale.
“Maybe if I”
“Dont. They abandoned you years ago. No guilt over them.”
A year later, her mother reappeared, unannouncedolder, tight-lipped, barely looking at her.
“Oliver and I need money. Hes starting university soon,” she demanded. “He wont get a grantyou owe us this!”
“Stop. Im not to blame, and you know it.”
“Margarets spoiled you rotten,” her mother sneered. “She always hated meraised you the same.”
“Speak ill of Gran again, and Ill throw you out,” Molly warned. “I have no money for you.”
“Liar! Look at this place!”
Theyd recently renovatedsaved for two years, borrowed the rest, nearly paid off.
Molly didnt explain. She owed this stranger nothing.
“Couldnt even ask about your granddaughter?”
“She has parentsshes fine. Oliver has no one!”
“Enough. Youll get nothing.”
An old wound throbbedher parents had never dreamed of her future.
“Fine,” her mother hissed. “Youll regret this.”
That evening, Molly told Tom.
“What can she do? Weve no money to give,” he said.
“I dont know. But she has a plan.”
A week later, a court summons arrived.
“Lost your mind?” Molly asked coldly. “Whats your game?”
“Making you support your brother. Its the law. Change your mind, or be shamed in court.”
“Youre the one wholl be shamed.”
“The laws on my side. Im protecting my child!”
“And Im not yours?”
In court, Emma played the grieving widowforced to leave Molly with Gran, struggling after Johns death. The judge pitied heruntil Molly calmly recounted the truth.
The final blow? Emma and Olivers finances proved comfortable. The case was dismissed.
Emma left with a venomous glare.
Molly doubted this was the last shed see of her.
