“You’re a Monster, Mum! People like you shouldn’t have children!” she muttered, returning to her books. One evening, she went out with friends to a nightclub in London and met William. Charming, well-off, his parents were abroad for work. She fell head over heels and soon moved in with him.
They lived lavishly, his parents sending money. Every night was partieseither out or at home. At first, Emily loved it. Before she knew it, she was drowning in debt, missing classes, and failed her winter exams. She risked expulsion.
She promised to change and retake the tests. Buried in books, she ignored William’s friends when they came over. She scraped through but begged him to calm down. He was in his final year, nearly done.
“Don’t be dramatic, Emily. You only live once. Youth flies by. When else will we have fun?” he replied, shrugging.
She was too ashamed to tell her mum they lived together unmarried. When she called home, she lied, saying they’d wed officially and would celebrate when his parents returned.
One day, Emily felt dizzy in class. Nauseous. Horrified, she realised she might be pregnant. The test confirmed her fears.
Since it was early, William insisted she abort. They argued fiercely, and he vanished for days. When he returned, he wasnt alonea drunk blonde clung to him, barely standing. Exhausted, Emily screamed, trying to shove the girl out.
“Shes not going anywhere. If you dont like it, *you* leave, you mad cow!” he yelled, shoving her hard.
She grabbed her coat and ran. On foot, she reached the student halls. Face swollen, mascara streaked, she knocked. The matron took pity and let her in.
The next day, William turned up, begging forgiveness, swearing hed never touch her again. For the babys sake, she believed him.
She barely passed her first year. Terrified to go homewhat would her mum say? But staying in London scared her too. Williams parents were due back, and she, pregnant, looked a wreck.
When they arrived and learned Emily was from Yorkshire and had barely scraped through, his father gave her a harsh ultimatum. He offered her money to leave his son alone.
“Thinkwhat kind of father would he be? All he cares about is partying. And whos to say the kids even his? Take the cash and go home. Trust me, its for the best.”
Humiliated, Emily refused, though she later regretted it. William stayed silent. She packed her bags and returned to her mum.
The moment her mum saw her belly at the door, she knew.
“So, youre alone? Not married, then. The London boy had his fun and kicked you out? Did he at least give you money?” she snapped, blocking the doorway.
“Mum, how can you? I dont want his money.”
“Then why come back? This flats cramped as it is. I thought youd landed on your feetmarried to a London lad, living the high life. Instead, you turn up knocked up. Wheres the room for all of us? And a baby?”
“All of us?” Emily frowned.
“While you were gone, I met someone. Im still youngI deserve happiness too. Raised you alone, never thought of myself. Now I want to live. Hes younger. I wont have him staring at *you*.”
“Where am I supposed to go? The babys due soon,” Emily whispered, fighting tears.
“Go back to the father. Let *him* support you.”
Her mum was merciless. No warmth in her eyesjust cold indifference.
Emily grabbed her bag and left. On a park bench, she sobbed. Where could she go? If even her mum didnt want her, who would? She even thought of stepping in front of a caruntil the baby kicked, as if sensing danger.
“Emily?” A familiar voiceSophie, an old school friend. Seeing her pregnant and distraught, Sophie took her in.
“Stay with me. My parents are away till autumn. Well figure it out.”
With no choice, Emily agreed.
Sophie worked at a hospital. Days later, she rushed inan elderly woman needed a live-in carer. Her daughter refused to take her.
“I didnt mention the baby. Come on, its your chance.”
Emily hesitatedhow could she care for an ill woman *and* a newborn? But desperation won.
The daughter, haughty, agreedno pay. “You keep her pension for expenses. But the house is *mine*. Dont get ideas.”
So Emily moved in with Mrs. Wilkins, tending to her and sharing her story. When little Matilda was born, the old woman even helped soothe her.
Years passed. Matilda took her first steps, but Mrs. Wilkins declined and passed. The daughter only appeared for the funeral, demanding Emily leave.
“I *told* you the house wasnt yours.”
While sorting papers, they found a willEmily inherited the flat. Furious, the daughter threatened court, but neighbours vouched for Emilys care.
With stability, Emily worked and raised Matilda. Years later, her mum reappeared, claiming illness, saying shed sold her flat for treatment. Pitying her, Emily took her in.
Until she overheard her on the phone: “Shes not listening Skimming rent money Be there soon”
All lies. Her mum had never sold the flatjust rented it to fund a lover.
“Mum! Youre a monster! Lied to me *again*!”
“Wait, its not what”
“I dont care. Get out.”
Sophie comforted her: “You dont choose family. She messed up, but shes your mum.”
Emily relentedbut her mum had already left. Years later, when she truly fell ill, Emily nursed her till the end.
Hate breeds hate. If a mother wont love her child, what love can she expect in return? Yet the mother
