Three years later, she is filled with bitter regret…
Margaret shouts at her daughter-in-law: Take your child and get out. Thats not our grandchild. And William trusted you so much! All Hannah can do is hold her baby close and cry. Throughout Hannah’s pregnancy, Margaret endlessly repeated that her son couldnt possibly be the father of this child. William has always been a mummys boy, under his mothers thumb his whole life. Even getting married didnt change that. His wife was powerless in the situation, her eyes brimming with tears as she looked helplessly at her husband.
William, why do you let your mother accuse me of all sorts for no reason? What did I ever do wrong? she pleads. Please, darling, try to be patient. Its Mum, after all, he answers, but the words offer no comfort. The final straw was Margarets cruel claim that the new baby was not Williams. There was no point in staying another day in the house. Hannah gathered her things, packed the babys little belongings, and went back to her parents. The worst part wasnt even leavingit was that William didnt try to stop her when she walked out the door. Not a single word.
Margaret was triumphant. At last, everything could go back to the way it was. She longed for those familiar evenings with William, when he would come in from work, they would sit down together for supper, share a pot of tea, and chat about their days.
But one night, fate intervenes. William is heading home late after a long shift, when a stranger ambushes him on a quiet London street. He is attacked, knocked out, and robbed. Sadly, William never regains consciousness and passes away. Margaret is inconsolable. Every evening, she wanders into his bedroom, touches his things, and sobs quietly in the darkness.
Meanwhile, Hannahs life is looking up. Shes thriving, dashing off to collect her son from nursery, moving up at work, and enjoying her new partner, who cooks her dinner. Her little boy brings her joy with his milestones and cheerful laughter.
One day, Hannah sees Margaret out on the street. She barely recognises herdishevelled and gaunt, she looks like a shadow of the proud woman she once was. Theres hardly anything left of her.
Thats William, isnt it? Margaret whispers through tears. Please forgive me. I ruined your family, but I destroyed myself as well. Im the worst person Hannah feels a pang of pity for her former mother-in-law. Now and then, she allows Margaret to spend a little time with her grandson, giving her a small measure of comfort in her lonely world.
