La vida
04
“My Wife’s Mum Is Loaded—We’ll Never Need to Work!” My Friend Antony Boasted, But His Dream of a Life on Easy Street Didn’t Go as Planned
My wifes mother is well-off; well never need to work, my friend once exclaimed with delight.
La vida
07
“No One Made Them Leave, We Would Have Been Delighted! The Relentless Invasion of Family—How a British Couple Outsmarted Their Overbearing Relatives With a Loyal German Shepherd, and Finally Found Peace and Room for Their Future Children”
No one chased them away, was the answer given to both mums, they just didnt want to stay for some reason.
La vida
08
We Should Have Prepared for the Baby’s Arrival Sooner! – My Extraordinary Hospital Discharge: My Husband Came Straight from the Office, Nothing Was Ready for Our Newborn, and I Was Mortified When the Family Arrived—Should I Have Taken Care of Everything Myself?
You really ought to have sorted everything before the baby came! My discharge from the hospital was a
La vida
03
WITHOUT A HEART… Claudia Vasilyevna Returned Home from the Hairdresser, Where She Regularly Treated Herself Despite Being 68; Upon Arrival, Her Husband Yuri Told Her a Well-Dressed Relative Had Visited—A Woman Resembling Claudia’s Late Mother—Who Soon Returned, Introduced Herself as Galina Vladimirovna, Revealing She Was Claudia’s Daughter, Adopted Out at Birth; Claudia Refused Any Reconciliation, Insisting She Felt No Motherly Love; Stunned, Yuri Witnessed the Heartless Exchange and Reflected on Their Childless, Comfortable Life Together, Regretting the Coldness; The Reunion Shook Their Family Life—Yuri Moved to the Countryside Caring for Stray Dogs and Visiting Galina, While Claudia Stayed Isolated, Indifferent to Her Daughter, Grandson, and Great-Granddaughter, Preferring Solo Holidays by the Seaside.
WITHOUT A HEART Margaret Elizabeth returned home that afternoon. She had been to the hairdresser, and
La vida
07
One Day, My Dad Called Me Into His Room Saying He Needed to Discuss Something Serious—Naturally, I Was Worried. Waiting for Me in the Living Room Was a Woman My Family Revolves Around My Father, Who Raised Me Single-Handedly After Mum Left Us—He Never Remarried, Fearing More Heartbreak. I Started Working at 15 to Support Us, Writing for Local Papers, Then Moving on to Better Jobs Until I Became Independent Enough to Provide for Us Both. One Day, Dad Asked for a Serious Conversation, Leaving Me Uneasy. In the Living Room, a Woman Waited—According to Dad, She Was My Mother The Moment She Saw Me, She Burst Into Tears, Begging for Forgiveness and Trying to Hug Me—But I Couldn’t Bring Myself to Embrace Her. I Carefully Pulled Away and Left Without a Word, Letting Dad Handle Things as He Saw Fit. I Simply Can’t Forgive Someone Who Coldly Abandoned Us and Never Even Bothered to Send a Birthday Card All These Years
One misty afternoon, my father beckoned me into his study, insisting we needed to talk about something
La vida
08
Hello… Is that Vasya? – No, this isn’t Vasya, it’s Helen… – Helen? Who are you?… – Excuse me, who are you? I’m Vasyl’s girlfriend. Were you looking for someone? He’s not home, he’s working late… My head started spinning when I saw drops of blood on the floor and my stomach twisted with pain — I knew the baby was coming. For five years my husband, Vasyl, has worked abroad: first driving lorries in Germany, then doing renovations in Poland, all to earn enough for our two sons and give them a better future, because we knew we’d never get ahead back home. Yet when I unexpectedly discovered I was pregnant at 45, I hid it from my family, afraid my grown children would laugh or call me mad. I considered ending the pregnancy, but medical risks were too great. Hopeful, I called Vasyl to share the news, but another woman answered, claiming to be his girlfriend while he worked late. Later, on Valentine’s Day, Vasyl returned and I revealed my pregnancy: he exploded, accused me of infidelity, and stormed out. After a traumatic birth at home, I handed my newborn daughter to the paramedics — convinced I couldn’t raise another child and desperate for Vasyl to return, even as he stayed overseas, never speaking to me, only his sons. Now, people may judge me, but I’ve chosen my husband over my child, and only God can judge my heart.
Hello Harry? This isnt Harry. Its Emily Emily? And who are you? Madam, who are you? Im Harrys girlfriend.
La vida
05
Ended Up As the Maid When Alice announced her plans to remarry, her son Ryan and daughter-in-law Kate were stunned by the news and completely at a loss over how to respond. “Are you sure you’re ready for such a drastic change at your age?” Kate asked, glancing nervously at her husband. “Mum, why such extreme decisions?” Ryan fretted. “I get it—you’ve spent most of your life alone and devoted yourself to raising me, but getting married now is just reckless.” “You’re both young, that’s why you think this way,” Alice replied calmly. “I’m sixty-three, and no one knows how much time I have left. I have every right to spend the rest of my life with someone I love.” “Then at least don’t rush into a registry wedding,” Ryan tried to reason. “You’ve only known Frank for a couple of months and you’re already ready to upend your whole life.” “At our age, we can’t waste time, and there’s nothing left to learn—he’s two years older, lives with his daughter and her family in a three-bedroom flat, has a good pension, and owns a cottage,” Alice reasoned. “And where are you planning to live?” Ryan asked, utterly bewildered. “We all live together, but we simply don’t have space for another person.” “Don’t worry so much, Frank isn’t after our square footage. I’ll be moving in with him,” Alice explained. “His place is spacious, and I’ve already got on well with his daughter. We’re all adults, so there shouldn’t be any drama.” Ryan was anxious, but Kate tried to persuade him to understand and accept his mum’s decision. “Maybe we’re just being selfish?” Kate pondered. “Of course it’s convenient for us that your mum helps out, babysits Keira all the time. But she’s perfectly entitled to her own happiness. If she has the chance, we shouldn’t stand in her way.” “It’s fine if they just live together, but do they really have to get married?” Ryan didn’t get it. “I don’t think I can handle seeing Mum in a white dress and wedding games at her age.” “They’re old school, maybe it just makes them feel more secure,” Kate tried to explain. So Alice did marry Frank, whom she’d met unexpectedly in town, and soon moved into his flat. At first everything went smoothly; the household accepted her, her husband was kind, and Alice truly believed she’d found the happiness she deserved at last. She revelled in each new day. But as their blended family settled in, new dynamics began to emerge. “Would you mind whipping up a roast for supper?” asked Frank’s daughter, Emma. “I’d do it myself, but work’s been crazy and I just don’t have time—you’ve got plenty of free time anyway.” Alice understood the hint and took over cooking, grocery shopping, cleaning, laundry, and even tending to the cottage. “Now that we’re married, the cottage is both of ours,” Frank said. “Emma and her husband never have time, and their little girl’s still young. We’ll handle everything together.” Alice didn’t complain; she liked being part of a big family built on mutual support. Her first husband had been lazy and sly, then ran off when Ryan turned ten—no word for twenty years. Now everything felt right; she didn’t mind the chores and felt no bitterness from tiredness. “Mum, you’re no gardener! Every cottage visit sends your blood pressure through the roof. Why do you put yourself through it?” Ryan tried to reason. “I enjoy it, and besides, Frank and I will grow plenty of produce for everyone—we’ll share with all of you,” explained Alice. But Ryan remained doubtful; months passed and nobody had invited them over to even meet properly. He and Kate had invited Frank, who always had excuses. Eventually, they stopped trying, accepting that the new family wasn’t interested. Their only wish was for Alice to be happy. For a time, Alice was. She found joy in her busy days, but the tasks kept piling up and began to wear her down. Frank started complaining of back pain and heart trouble whenever they visited the cottage, leaving Alice to do all the heavy lifting. “Borscht again?” Frank’s son-in-law Adam grimaced. “We just had that yesterday—I expected something different tonight.” “I didn’t have time for the shops, and I was re-hanging all the curtains today, got dizzy and had to lie down,” Alice apologised. “I get that, but borscht isn’t my favourite,” Adam pushed his bowl away. “Tomorrow Alice will treat us all to a feast,” Frank quickly chimed in. And sure enough, the next day, Alice was on her feet for hours making dinner—only to see everything devoured in minutes. She’d tidy up again, and the cycle repeated. Meanwhile, Frank’s daughter Emma and son-in-law found fault with every little thing, and Frank always sided with them, leaving Alice blamed for anything wrong. “I’m not a young woman, I get tired, and I don’t understand why I’m the only one doing everything!” Alice finally protested. “You’re my wife, so it’s your job to keep the household running,” Frank insisted. “As your wife, I should have rights, not just obligations!” Alice cried. She’d calm down and carry on, trying to keep the peace for everyone, but one day, she finally snapped. Emma and Adam were going out and wanted Alice to look after their daughter. “Let the little one stay with her granddad or go with you, because I’m seeing my own granddaughter tonight,” Alice said. “Why should we all rearrange our lives for you?” Emma snapped. “You shouldn’t, but I don’t owe you, either—I’ve told you since Tuesday, it’s my granddaughter’s birthday. Not only did everyone ignore it, now you’re trying to tie me down at home,” Alice reminded them. “That’s not right,” Frank turned red with anger. “Emma’s plans shouldn’t fall apart because of your granddaughter’s birthday—she’s only little, she won’t mind if you celebrate tomorrow.” “If it’s fine for me to wait, it’s fine for us to go to my family now—or you stay with your granddaughter until I return!” Alice responded firmly. “I knew nothing good would come of you marrying in,” Emma said spitefully. “You’re a mediocre cook, the cleaning’s never up to scratch, and you only think about yourself.” “After all I’ve done these months, you think that too?” Alice asked Frank. “Tell me straight—did you want a wife or a housemaid to serve everyone’s whims?” “Now you’re making me out to be the villain,” Frank replied, blinking rapidly. “Don’t start a row over nothing.” “I asked a simple question—I deserve a real answer,” Alice pressed. “If you’re going to talk like that, do as you please. But I won’t tolerate that attitude toward household duties in my home,” Frank declared. “In that case, I quit,” Alice said, and packed her things. “Will you take back your wayward granny?” she asked, hauling her suitcase and birthday present. “I got married and came back again. I don’t want to talk about it—just tell me: will you have me?” “Of course!” Ryan and Kate embraced her. “Your room’s waiting, and we’re happy you’re home.” “You’re happy for no reason?” Alice sought reassurance. “Isn’t that why people are glad their family’s home?” Kate smiled. That’s when Alice knew she wasn’t a maid. Yes, she helped with the house and watched her granddaughter, but her son and daughter-in-law never took advantage or exploited her kindness. Here, she was just Mum, Grandma, Mother-in-law—a real part of the family, not the help. Alice filed for divorce and tried not to dwell on what she’d been through.
Became the Maid So, when Margaret said she was getting married, you shouldve seen the faces of her son
La vida
013
For 20 Years I Apologised to My Mother-in-Law—Until One Friend Asked Me a Question That Changed Everything
For twenty years, I pretty much apologised to my mother-in-law automatically, without even thinking
La vida
06
I Paid the Price for My Son’s Happiness: How I Chose His Perfect Bride and Found the Daughter-in-Law Every English Mum Dreams Of
Diary Entry For a long while, I mulled it over and finally made up my mindI would choose my own daughter-in-law
La vida
04
“They Weren’t Turned Away – Both Heard the Same Response: They Just Didn’t Want to Stay! Let Them Come, We’ll Be Delighted! – Sit Down! We’re Not Home! – Peter Uttered Calmly as Guests Knocked, But Not Even Mom or Cousin Could Lure Him or Val from Their Hideout, Until One Clever German Shepherd Solved All Their Problems and Miracles Finally Happened”
No one chased them out, we would reply to either side, they simply didnt want to stay! Theyre welcome to visit!