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“It Doesn’t Look Right That Your Children Will Have Homes and My Son Won’t—Let’s Get Him a Flat with a Mortgage!” Recently, my husband Anthony pointed out that my children have their own flats, but his son doesn’t, so we should figure out how to help his son get one too. Let me explain: my children are both mine and Anthony’s, while Anthony’s son is from his first marriage. Why should I be the one to worry about his son’s housing? Of course, I knew Anthony had been married before and had a child. That’s one reason I wasn’t in a rush to marry him. We lived together for three years before tying the knot. I carefully watched how he felt about his ex-wife and his son. A year later, I had a son. After another two years, I had a second son. I’m completely happy with Anthony, both as a husband and a father. He makes time for me and the children. He earns good money. Of course, we argue sometimes—what family doesn’t? We lived in the flat I inherited from my dad. My mum divorced him when I was very young. Now she’s remarried, but didn’t have kids with her new husband. Anthony and his ex always lived in rented properties. They tried saving for a mortgage together, but never managed it. After their divorce, his ex moved back in with her parents, and Anthony rented a place on his own. When we married, he moved in with me. We never discussed who owns the flat. It was just our home—we did renovations, bought new furniture. But a year and a half ago, both my grandmothers passed away. They left their flats to me in their wills. While my boys are little, I decided to rent those flats out. Later, each son will get one. Right now, I give my mum the rent from one flat to supplement her pension. The rent from the other helps with my income—extra money is always useful. My husband never interfered in my property affairs—it was none of his business. I told him from the start: when our boys are grown, each gets a flat. He agreed, and that was that. Then, out of the blue, he said: — My son finishes sixth form soon. He needs to start thinking about his future! I wasn’t sure what he was hinting at, but I listened. — Your boys have flats, but my son doesn’t! We must help him get a place—even if it means taking out a mortgage! — Anthony blurted out. I was stunned! I had so many questions. First, I asked why our boys were suddenly “my” children. He told me not to split hairs. — But my son will never inherit anything. I want him to have a home of his own! — That’s great you care—but your son has a mum and dad. Shouldn’t they provide for him? Why isn’t his mother doing it? My husband explained his ex barely makes ends meet, her parents help where they can, and he can’t manage a mortgage on his own. But, if I help, it would all work out. He expected me to agree to help buy his son a flat with a mortgage, in our names, but for his son. But WE would pay the mortgage. We both have good jobs and rental income—we could manage! Anthony pleaded. Yes, maybe we could—but it would mean serious saving. Anthony still pays child support. And once his son goes to university, Anthony will keep helping, because his ex can’t afford it. So, because of his son, my boys and I would have no holidays, no seaside trips—just constant scrimping. All so Anthony can look like a good dad? I would understand if Anthony had provided our boys their homes and wanted to do the same for his eldest. But I provided the flats for my children—Anthony had nothing to do with it. Why should I pay a mortgage for someone else’s son? I told Anthony straight out—if he’s so concerned, his ex can get the mortgage, and pay it from the child support. — I’m not getting involved! He’s furious and hasn’t spoken to me for a week. It’s a shame he doesn’t see my point.

I say, it hardly seems fair that your children will have flats and my son wont. Lets sort him out with

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He Left Me for a Younger Woman. Then He Called to Ask If He Could Come Back.

He left me for a younger Lucy. A week later he rang my landline, voice tentative, and asked if he could

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Recently, I Met a Woman Walking Down the Street with Her Eighteen-Month-Old Daughter, Oblivious to the World Around Her—What She Told Me About Her Family Troubles Left Me Speechless

Not long ago, I bumped into a woman out for a walk with her eighteen-month-old daughter, meandering down

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For Five Years She Thought She Was Living With Her Husband—But In Truth, She Wanted a Marriage Like the One She Had With Her Mum

14 March Sometimes I wonder if I ever truly understood what marriage was meant to be. For the last five

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Fell in Love After Sixty: My Daughter Says She’s Ashamed of Me

I fell in love after I turned sixty, and my daughter says shes embarrassed by me. Mother, youve gone

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My Husband Told Me He Was Bored of Me—So I Changed My Life, and Now I’m Bored of Him

Nearly two years ago, my husband uttered a sentence that seemed to drift like fog through the corridors

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Changed His Mind About Getting Married Archie Spent Late Nights in His Laboratory Mixing Strange Powders, Oblivious to the Young Cleaner Sophie’s Affection, Until Her Homemade Sausages Drew Him Out—But a Chaotic Visit to Her Rural Family Sends Him Reeling, Caught Between Love, Eccentric Relatives, and Second Thoughts About Saying “I Do”

Changed My Mind About Marriage It was another late evening for Arthur, hunched over his bench in the

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My Dearest One: A Story of Family, Forgotten Roots, and the Truth That Changes Everything

Dearest diary, Today, I keep turning over memories in my mind I had always kept buried. I grew up thinking

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A Child for a Friend When Lily was nearing the final months of her pregnancy, her younger brother left home and her father turned to drink. From that moment, Lily’s life became a nightmare. Every morning began with Lily airing out the house, sweeping empty bottles from under the table, and waiting for her father to wake up. “Dad, you shouldn’t be drinking. You barely recovered from your stroke.” “I’ll drink if I want. Who can stop me? It dulls the pain.” “What pain?” “The pain of knowing I’m needed by no one. Not even you. I’m a burden to you. I’m a lost cause, Lily. Never should’ve been born, never should’ve married and brought up kids who inherited nothing but weakness and poverty from me. Everything’s been for nothing. Easier to drink.” Already in low spirits, Lily grew angry. “Not everything is for nothing, Dad. People have it worse.” “Worse than this? You grew up motherless. Now you’re going to raise a baby without a father, and both of you will still be poor.” “It’s not all gloom, Dad. Life is unpredictable—everything can change.” Lily sadly recalled how happy she’d been not so long ago, engaged to Ilya. Yes, life had fallen apart, but she had to keep living. That day, her father got drunk again. Lily shouted in frustration: “You drank the money I saved?! How did you find it? You searched through my things?!” “Everything in this house belongs to me,” her father declared, “including the pension you’re hiding from me! My pension.” “And you drank it all? Didn’t think about how we’ll survive?” “Why should I care? I’m a sick man. You’re an adult now—take care of me!” Lily searched every cabinet. “I’m sure there were two packs of pasta and some butter left yesterday. Now there’s nothing! What are we meant to eat tonight?” Lily was stunned. She sat down, covering her face. Little did she know that Auntie Natasha had made a habit of coming round, plying her father with drink and helping herself to bits and pieces from the house. Natasha had slithered quietly into their lives and seemed intent on finishing off their family. That night, Lily cried herself to sleep. She lay in bed, broken and hungry. In the morning, there was a knock. In came Natalia Anatolievna. Dressed in a chic coat and heeled boots. She didn’t take off her shoes—just marched in. “My friend in the utilities office told me you have debts and the electricity will be cut off soon. What’s going on, Lily? Maybe you’ll offer me a cup of tea?” Not waiting for an answer, Natasha started searching the kitchen cupboards and fridge. “I’ll make the tea myself—you’re pregnant, just like my daughter, Sveta… Looks like there’s no sugar or even tea in the house. Not a thing. Right, let’s go shopping.” Lily avoided eye contact. “Aunt Natasha, I’m not making any tea. You should go.” But Natasha wouldn’t be dismissed. “You’ve got problems, I can see that. Remember I once offered you to move in with me? I’m not asking this time—I’m insisting. Come live with me. Your father is drinking, you haven’t got enough food for a growing baby, let alone yourself. You need vitamins and fruit… Pack your things and let’s go.” Lily sat down weakly, her head spinning. Tears spilled over as Natasha hugged her. “Listen, dear, I know how you feel about me. I know you can’t forgive my daughter for stealing your fiancé. But I’m not heartless, and I can’t stand to see you suffer. Like it or not—I’m going to help you.” Everything after felt like a blur: Natasha helped Lily pack, called a taxi, and moved her in. *** On the day Lily went into labour, Natasha Anatolievna never left her side. “Listen carefully, Lily. I’ve already told the staff that you want to give up the baby. When you give birth, don’t hold her, don’t feed her. Don’t even look at her.” Groaning with pain, Lily replied: “Aunt Natasha, I don’t care. Anything to stop the pain… I just want this over.” “Remember what I told you—it would be impossible for you to raise this child yourself. I’ve found a respectable couple who would adopt her straight away.” A few hours later, a baby girl was born. “Three kilos three hundred—healthy, all good,” the nurse said, carrying her away without showing her to Lily. But the paediatrician gave Lily a stern look. “What’s going on here? You’ve a healthy, beautiful child and won’t even look at her. Elena Petrovna, bring the baby back and let her nurse.” Lily shook her head, upset. “I don’t want to. I can barely survive—I never wanted to give birth… There are people who need her more—I’ll sign her over for adoption.” “Don’t be ridiculous, at least look at her.” Lily squeezed her eyes shut—but then she felt something warm and soft brush her hand. The nurse laid the baby next to her. The baby whimpered and snuggled in, rooting for her mother. At last, Lily looked at her daughter. A tiny, helpless creature stared up at her, eyes half-closed, reaching out blindly, fists clutching at Lily’s chest. “Well, Mum? Let’s feed your baby,” the paediatrician smiled, brightening as Lily shivered at the sight of her daughter. “She’s such a sweetheart, and she needs you—not adoptive parents.” Lily wept, gathering her daughter in her arms and nodding. For the next two hours, Lily rested with her newborn, unable to take her eyes off her. That was when her maternal instinct awoke. “This is what my life is for—my daughter. It doesn’t matter if Ilya is gone or my father’s drinking… My daughter needs me, and I’ll be there for her.” *** Lily woke to Natalia’s voice. Natasha, now in a dressing gown, had come into the ward and was looking at her in bed. “Did you forget our agreement?” she asked quietly. “You promised you’d give up the baby. I already arranged with people who will take her.” “Natasha Anatolievna, I’ve changed my mind. I’m not giving her to anyone.” “But you’ve nowhere to go, no money—you’re basically homeless. Where will you take her?” “Home. I won’t trouble you further—I’ll manage.” Lily saw Natasha’s face twist into an ugly scowl. “Are you mad!? You’ve no money! What will you live on—begging?” Natasha’s shouting woke the baby. Lily got up and went to her. “Don’t touch! I’ll comfort and feed her. We’ll just tell the doctors you’ve no milk,” Natasha insisted. Lily shook her head, firm. “This isn’t your decision. She’s my daughter. I told you—I’ve changed my mind and won’t give her up.” “You can’t! You promised!” Natasha wailed, helpless. “Please leave.” Natasha stormed out. Lily’s roommate, quiet till now, sat up. “Who was that?” “My aunt.” “Awful. Don’t listen to her. You did the right thing kicking her out. I’m Laura. If you need help, just ask—there are kind people in the world.” “I’m Lily.” “Lovely to meet you. And honestly, what a weird woman! Looked as if she meant to snatch your baby right out of the crib.” *** Just before discharge, Lily was called out into the corridor. Standing awkwardly was her former friend, Sue, heavily pregnant. “Hi.” Lily sat carefully beside her. Sue fidgeted. “I heard you had the baby.” “Yes. A girl.” Sue glanced away nervously. “Lily, you know Mum found people to adopt your child, right?” “So?” “They’re wonderful people—wealthy, will do anything to have her.” Sue took Lily’s hand. “They’re offering a hundred thousand pounds. Imagine it! You could buy a place to live—maybe even a small flat.” “A hundred thousand, you say?” Lily nodded. “Well, if you care about them so much, give them your own baby.” Sue pouted but didn’t let go. “Wait, Lily! Give the baby to me! I’ll raise her—she’s Ilya’s daughter after all.” “You think you can handle two babies?” “You don’t understand, Lily! My family is falling apart!” Fed up, Lily stood to leave, but Sue grabbed her sleeve, eyes wild. “I need this baby, Lily!” “Let go.” …A couple of hours later, Ilya himself burst into the ward. Lily flinched at the sight of him. “So, you’ve given birth? Can I see her?” “No, you can’t! Your precious Sue will give birth soon—you can look at that one!” “We need to talk, Lily. I haven’t been able to think straight since you gave birth. Look, I want to take our daughter—give her up, and I promise I’ll adopt her immediately.” Lily shook her head. “I’m not like you—I could never walk away from someone who needs me. You’re wasting your time—I’ll never let you have my daughter!” Ilya wouldn’t leave, getting more agitated. “Give me her! You had no right to have my child! I’ll take what’s mine!” “Oh, please. Go get your mother’s permission first, mummy’s boy.” Lily pushed her ex aside, scooped up her baby, and went to the nurses’ station. “Could I ask you not to let anyone else visit me? I don’t want to see anyone—this isn’t a railway station!” Epilogue On discharge day, Lily left the hospital holding her daughter tight. She wasn’t alone—her roommate Laura was leaving too, greeted by her husband and mum. Lily stopped, spotting the Reznikovs’ car. Out stepped Ilya’s mother, Valerie Jacobs, scrutinising Lily with a cold, predatory stare. A shiver ran down Lily’s spine. Her ex-future-mother-in-law looked ready to pounce. Laura noticed Lily’s discomfort and came over. “Who are they, Lily?” “Ilya’s parents.” “The look she’s giving you—honestly, it’s creepy. They’ve all gone for you as if by some plan. You remember my mum’s got a room for you—come on, let’s go.” Lily nodded, uneasy herself. *** Living with her new friends, Lily unexpectedly found new love—Laura’s cousin, bachelor Ivan, started courting her. Ivan turned out to be a kind, good man. He married Lily, adopted her daughter, and even helped her father-in-law. As for Sue and Ilya—their marriage collapsed. Turns out, Sue faked her pregnancy with a cushion, deceiving the entire Jacobs family. To protect her daughter, Natasha told the truth about Sue’s early miscarriage—and then proposed a “solution” to her son-in-law: “Ilya, don’t be cross with my daughter. Yes, her pregnancy ended early—but you’re not innocent yourself. You’ve another baby on the way, haven’t you? So why not take Lily’s baby for yourselves? Adopt her—the child’s yours in a sense. And as for your parents, let’s not mention the miscarriage. We’ll pretend Sue’s still pregnant and, when Lily gives birth, take the baby and tell everyone it’s Sue’s.” Ilya quite liked this plan. Everything was set—until Lily “put her foot down,” refusing to leave her newborn at the hospital. Suddenly, Sue and Natasha were backed into a corner. Ilya’s mother, Valerie Jacobs, furious at having been tricked, sent Sue away and insisted her son get divorced. A Child for a Friend

A Baby for a Friend When Lily was waddling through her last months of pregnancy, her younger brother

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Changed His Mind About Getting Married Late Into the Night in a British University Laboratory, Archie Was Absorbed in His Research—Obliviously Ignoring the Glances of Young Cleaner Sophie—Until Her Homemade Sausages and Unexpected Proposal Led Him from Science Triumphs to a Stormy Countryside Encounter with Her Disapproving Mum, a Handsome Stepdad, and a Family Drama That Left Archie Reconsidering Everything About Love, Marriage, and Domestic Bliss

Changed His Mind About Marriage Arthur would stay late into the night at the laboratory, endlessly decanting