Dont you have any decency, you fool! Victor snapped, stepping forward.
Whatre you?
Youve been twisting Ethels mind for weeks! Dont think we cant see youre not her stepfather at all.
Peter couldnt hold back. With one hand he grabbed Victors jacket at the chest, the other arcing as if to knock him out.
Peterboy! Ethels frightened voice halted him. He released the intruder.
Peter had married Laura when her daughter, Ethel, was ten. The little girl still remembered her biological father, who had died two years earlier, and at first she kept a wary distance from her mothers new husband.
But Peter managed to find common ground with her. She never called him dad, yet the nickname Petey slipped from her lips with such affection that anyone could tell they were a close family.
Because of Ethel, they managed to keep the marriage together even after, six years after the wedding, a drunken night at a work function saw Peter stumbling into a flirtation with his colleague Ivy. Hed had a few too many drinks, the merriment lifted his spirits, and he barely remembered what happened afterwards.
Laura learned of the indiscretion from someone else. The scandal erupted into a fullblown row. Peter begged for forgiveness, pleading with tears.
Laura refused to listen, threatening divorce. Their arguments went on while Ethel was still at school, but the sensitive, impressionable girl sensed the tension and was deeply upset.
Only because of Ethel will I forgive you, Laura hissed through clenched teeth. This is the first and last time. Next time itll be a divorce.
Peter cursed himself a hundred times, trying to atone by spending even more time with his family. Gradually, his stepdaughters eyes regained their bright sparkle.
Years later, when Ethel turned eighteen, she brought home a boyfriend for her parents to meet. Victor, a lanky, smug young man who constantly wore a grin, made a poor first impression on Peter.
For Ethels sake, who gazed at the lad with lovesick eyes, Peter forced himself to stay calm.
Ethel, are you sure hes the right one? he asked quietly as the suitor left the flat.
What, Petey, didnt you like him? Ethel replied, pouting. You dont know him well enough. Victors a good fellow.
Peter sighed heavily, then forced a smile. Well see. You cant make a bad choice.
Victor, sensing the stepfathers coldness, kept his distance, trying hard to be polite.
Soon after, Laura accused Peter again of cheating with Ivy.
What, you liked her so much you couldnt resist again? Laura shrieked. Fine, go to her! Stop tormenting me!
Laura, what are you on about? Peter was stunned. After that night, the thought of another affair never crossed his mind. Where did you get this from?
The people around us say such things, Laura muttered.
Peter didnt linger on the argument. He dialed Ivys number and pressed speakerphone.
Peter, Ivy said, amused, are you drunk again?
Im sorry, he muttered. It was a mistake.
Laura glared at him, then huffed and left the room. She refused to speak to him for a couple of days, showing her temper, but eventually things settled.
Ethel, wrapped up in her own romance with Victor, grew worried that her parents werent talking.
One afternoon Peter was struck by a car. Hed been walking along the road when a small hatchback clipped his leg and knocked him to the pavement. The vehicle was going slowly, so he escaped with a strained leg and a mild concussion.
He hobbled around the house, and Ethel tended to him with fierce devotion, bringing him meals on a tray, reading to him, and chatting about nothing at all.
What are you doing with him? Peter overheard Ethel say to Victor in the hallway. Hes an adult, let him be
Victor! Ethel whispered sharply. Petey is practically my father. I love him and Ill look after him, no matter what anyone says!
Victor muttered a defensive retort, and Peter smiled, proud of the good girl theyd raised together.
A few weeks later Peters boss, on the clients instruction, accused him of shoddy work on a stretchceiling installation.
Leonard Spencer claims the ceiling in the living room is sagging, the corners are uneven, the boss said, lowering his voice. He even told me you demanded extra money to do a proper job.
Peters blood boiled. Thats nonsense! We completed the work flawlessly and never asked for extra payment.
Leonard was a notoriously finicky client, always finding fault. After a long backandforth, the client seemed satisfied, yet he suddenly complained again.
Go talk to him and sort this out, the boss ordered. Fix whatever he wants, or well face a lawsuit.
That evening Peter returned home, his face dark. He recounted the incident to Laura and Ethel.
Dont worry, Petey, Ethel said, trying to console him. Maybe he just mixed something up. Ill go with you tomorrow.
Laura sighed. We cant afford you being out of work again.
The next day Peter met Leonard at his office.
What do you want? Leonard demanded, his voice sharp. Well settle this in court if you dont fix it!
Peter tried to keep his temper. If you show us where we went wrong, well correct it.
Leonard scoffed. Theres nothing to see! Professionals handle this, not you!
Peters patience snapped. He pushed Leonard aside, apologised politely, and entered the flat. Everything with the ceiling was, in fact, fine.
Peter stared at Leonard, eyes hard. And the money? You accused us of extortion.
Leonard stammered, then blurted out that a young man named Victor had suggested he file a complaint to get compensation.
Peter raised a photo on his phone a family picture that also featured Victor.
The boy? Leonard asked, eyes narrowing.
Exactly, Peter said. You know him?
Victor was standing outside, looking nervous as he waited for Ethel. He saw his future fatherinlaw and jumped back.
Peter stepped forward and asked, Why did you say that?
Victor blurted, Because I didnt want anyone bothering my sister!
Peter grabbed Victors jacket and shouted, Dont you ever lay a hand on a young woman again!
Victor shrank back, stammering, I didnt
Peter cut him off, You think you can push me under a car?
Victor backed away, Nono!
Peter glared, I wont even waste a finger on you.
Ethel, hearing the whole scene, broke off her relationship with Victor. She decided to focus on her studies, supported fully by her parents.
Through all the turmoilinfidelity, false accusations, a nearfatal accidentPeter learned that honesty, humility, and steadfast love for family are the only foundations that can weather any storm.
The lesson is clear: no matter how many lies are whispered or how many blows life deals, the truth and the bonds we nurture will always guide us back to the right path.
