Helen gazed at the photo in its elegant frame and sighed. It had been two years since her husband had passed away—an unfortunate accident with snow falling from a roof had taken Mark from her.
They’d only been married for two years and hadn’t had the chance to start a family. All that remained of her beloved husband were memories, photographs, and his mother, Margaret Wakefield.
Margaret often visited Helen, lamenting and even blaming her for not giving them a grandchild.
“If you were a proper woman, we’d have a child now,” she would complain. Helen merely shrugged. It was hard enough dealing with her loss, but she didn’t see herself at fault. Before having children, they wanted to sort out their living arrangements and were preparing for a move. But Mark didn’t live to see it happen.
After Mark’s death, Helen threw herself into her work, taking on extra assignments to distract herself. Within a year, she moved from a rented flat to her own small but cozy home, thanks to her hard work and support from her father.
Her father was proud of her and supported her in everything. Unfortunately, a year later, he too passed away—an unexpected heart failure.
Helen lost the only close family she had. She was left alone, with only Margaret coming by to express her “condolences” and sympathy.
Margaret came to Helen after the funeral and immediately said:
“Write a will, Helen, before it’s too late,” Margaret insisted.
Helen nearly dropped her cup.
“Yes, I’m serious. No one’s safe from sudden events. Today you’re healthy, tomorrow, who knows what could happen.”
“What are you implying?”
“You’re thirty now, you’ve got no relatives left. You should think about others.”
“Don’t worry, Margaret. I’m not the Minister, but I’ve got enough savings for a modest funeral,” she replied, turning her irritation into a silly joke, thinking the stress had finally gotten to Margaret.
“Laugh all you want, but I’d write the property over to my nephews if I were you.”
“Oh, really? You think I should hand over all of my property to your grandchildren?” Helen raised an eyebrow. Margaret’s younger son, Andrew, had no relationship with Helen. Mark hadn’t gotten along with his brother either; they were very different. Andrew married young, had daughters, then divorced. He remarried, had a son, and divorced again. Six months ago, Andrew found a new wife.
“You don’t need to transfer it yet, just make a will. Otherwise, the property will go to the state!”
“Margaret… don’t you think it’s time to head home? You must be tired.”
“Andrew and Emma are staying at my place right now,” Margaret confessed. “I don’t want to intrude on them, and you should understand.”
“I understand not wanting to intrude, but what’s that got to do with me?” Helen asked, puzzled.
“I was hoping you could—your father’s place is empty now. I could stay there until Andrew gets things sorted with a mortgage when he finds a job. I’ve packed already, all I need is the key from you. Don’t worry, I’ll just take one room. The second could be rented out. I’ve even found someone interested—Rachel and her son.”
“Rachel—Andrew’s second wife?”
“Yes, remember her? Lovely girl. We get along great… she could stay over. I look after my grandson anyway, so I’d save on commuting.”
“And how much are you ready to pay for rent?”
“Me?! I’m like a mother to you! You’re asking me for money?” Margaret flared up. “I didn’t think Mark married someone like you…”
“Margaret, I’m sorry, but I won’t let you stay, neither free nor paid. And if I do write a will, it will be for my child, who I’m sure I’ll have. I have my whole life ahead of me.”
“Oh, really? You’re thirty, that’s late to be thinking of having kids! And with whom? You’re all alone! Dream on. Greed will ruin you! You’ll end up with nothing. You’ll regret it, you mark my words!” Margaret curled up, her face twisted like a witch. Helen felt a strong urge to show her the door and never let her back in. She suddenly thought that her troubles stemmed from Margaret’s envy, that she’d never liked Helen and always told Mark they wouldn’t be happy.
“Please leave, Margaret. I’ll manage. I’m thirty now, and I have a good head on my shoulders. And if anything happens, I’d rather the state have everything than you.”
Margaret mumbled something as she left, slamming the door. The next day, Andrew called Helen to shout at her, blaming her for making his mother unwell after visiting.
Helen realized that for peace of mind, she needed to distance herself from Margaret and her family. She put her flat up for sale, and it sold quickly. She then sorted out her inheritance, sold her father’s house, and bought a more spacious place, starting a new chapter without old “relatives.” None of them knew her new address, leaving her free to plan her future undisturbed.
