Ruth watched her son and felt a swell of pride. He had grown into such a handsome man. He stood before the mirror in a sharp suit; in just a few hours, he would be marrying a wonderful girl. Ruth had raised him on her own. His father had walked out when the boy was only five, finding himself a wealthy woman and claiming he deserved a better life. Ruth hadn’t had time for grief; she had a son to care for, and she poured her entire soul into him.
As he grew older, she realized she had spoiled him. He had inherited his father’s taste for the finer things, but not the drive to earn them. He didn’t want to build a life; he wanted to find a wealthy bride. She constantly told him that a good life had to be built with one's own mind—through education and hard work—rather than hunting for a payday. That was why she had been so relieved when he brought Natalie home to meet her.
Natalie was a lovely, bright girl from an ordinary middle-class family. It seemed her son, Ethan, had finally settled down. He’d started applying himself at the university where they were in the same program, and upon graduation, they decided to marry. Sadly, Natalie’s mother had fallen ill and passed away shortly before the wedding. Ruth grew to love the girl as her own daughter, and Natalie returned that affection wholeheartedly.
***
Today was the big day. The wedding was modest—a simple ceremony at City Hall followed by a small reception at a local bistro with a few close friends. Ruth didn’t stay long at the reception. The emotions of the day had exhausted her, and she knew the young people would have more fun without her. The couple decided to move into Ruth’s place for the time being. Natalie was the only one who had secured a job so far, and they couldn’t afford rent on their own. Natalie’s small apartment, inherited from her parents in a neighboring town, was being rented out to help cover expenses.
Everything seemed to be going well, except for one thing that troubled Ruth: Ethan wasn't exactly rushing to job interviews. He would leave the house, but he often returned in high spirits, clearly having spent the afternoon anywhere but a recruiter’s office.
"Ethan, you can’t keep doing this," Ruth said one evening. "Natalie found a job, and you both have the same degree."
"Mom, you don’t get it. Natalie was a straight-A student, so she got an offer from the firm where she interned. I’m out here on my own. I’m not going to settle for some entry-level pittance."
"But you have to start somewhere. No one is going to hire you as a CEO on day one. As a man, you have a responsibility to provide for your family. You can’t let your wife carry everything. What will you do when children come along?"
"We aren't planning on kids yet. We need to get on our feet first."
"And to do that, you need to work," his mother interrupted.
Sensing she wasn’t going to let it go, Ethan used a tactic from his childhood. He walked over, hugged her, and told her that everything would be fine soon and that she shouldn't worry.
***
A week later, Ethan came home after everyone else was already back. He set a cake on the table and announced that he had landed a job. Everyone was thrilled. He spent the evening talking about how his new manager had already mentioned his potential for rapid career growth.
However, Ruth’s joy began to fade after a couple of months. She noticed a change in her son. He often came home smelling of expensive women’s perfume.
"Ethan, are you cheating on Natalie?" she asked point-blank one day, unable to hold it in any longer.
"Mom, don’t be ridiculous. I’m working late half the time; I don’t even have a spare minute for that."
"Then what about the perfume?"
"I take my jacket off and hang it in the shared coat closet. There are three women in my department. Some of them practically bathe in the stuff, unfortunately."
Ruth felt somewhat reassured, but two months later, Ethan was promoted and given a company car. Doubts began to creep back into her mind. Ethan was staying late more often, and the promotion brought frequent business trips. Natalie, however, suspected nothing. She adored her husband and beamed at his success. She also had some wonderful news of her own to share. After dinner that evening, Natalie told the family she was pregnant.
Ruth was overjoyed, but Ethan’s first reaction was a look of deep thought.
"Isn't it a bit early for us?"
"Honey, you have a great job now. We can afford to raise a child."
"We don't even have our own place."
"But we have your mom right here to help," Natalie said, turning to Ruth. "I could even go back to work sooner. Mom, you’ll help us, won't you?"
She had long since started calling her mother-in-law "Mom."
"Of course I will. I’ve still got plenty of energy left in me."
Ethan spent the entire week looking like a dark cloud. The news brought him no joy. He would smile at his wife, but the moment he turned away, his true feelings were etched across his face. Ruth saw it all. Her heart ached. She realized she had missed something in his upbringing, and she felt the weight of that failure.
***
On the weekend, Ethan suggested he and Natalie go to the mall to clear their heads and do some Christmas shopping. Ruth had a sinking feeling in her gut.
"Maybe you should go another time? Christmas is still two weeks away, and the roads are icy."
"Mom, relax. I have a safe car, and I’ll be careful."
Five hours passed, and they hadn't returned. Ethan’s phone was off, and Natalie wasn't answering. Ruth was pacing the floor when Natalie’s phone finally called her back.
"Natalie? Where are you? Is everything okay?"
"Hello. This is the attending physician at the County Hospital. Are you a relative of the phone's owner?"
"I’m her mother... her mother-in-law. What happened? Where is my son?"
"Your son is fine and should be heading home shortly. He checked himself out against medical advice. However, the young woman is seriously injured."
"I’m on my way," Ruth said, rushing to grab her coat.
As she was calling a cab, Ethan walked through the front door. He had a few scratches on his face and was limping slightly.
"What are you doing here? Your wife is in the hospital!" Ruth cried.
"Mom, not now," he said brusquely, pushing past her into his room.
Ruth didn't have time to argue; she raced to the hospital. There, the doctor explained there had been an accident. The car had skidded on the ice and hit a tree outside of town. Outside of town? They were supposed to be at the mall.
"Your son said his wife wanted to drive out to the woods for some fresh air. The impact was on the passenger side. She has severe trauma. We’ve operated, but I can't give you a definitive prognosis yet."
"Can I see her? She has no one but her husband and me."
"Come back tomorrow morning."
When Ruth returned home, Ethan was nowhere to be found. He didn't answer his phone, and he didn't come home that night. She tossed and turned until 8:00 AM, when she headed back to the hospital.
***
The doctor told her that Natalie would survive, but she would require long-term care and another surgery to walk again. She had lost the baby. Ruth was finally allowed into the room.
"Honey, it’s going to be okay," the mother-in-law whispered, stroking her hand. "We’ll get through this. We’ll get you back on your feet."
"How is Ethan?" Natalie asked weakly.
"He’s fine. He’ll be here soon. You just rest."
"I didn't want to go out there... he said the pine air would be good for me. And then..." She covered her face and began to sob.
"Shh, that's enough now. The doctor said you mustn't get upset. I’ll be back later."
Ruth went home to find her son sitting in the kitchen, casually drinking tea as if nothing had happened.
"Your wife is in the hospital, and you're just sitting here?"
"Mom, I was hurt too."
"And where were you 'hurting' all night? How did this even happen?"
"I needed some space. How is she?" he asked with total indifference.
"Natalie is alive, but your baby is gone. She’s going to need a lot of care and another surgery to walk. But the outlook is good."
"Tell her I’m sorry."
"What do you mean 'tell her'? You aren't going to see your wife?"
"I’m filing for divorce tomorrow. I’ve been in love with someone else for a long time. She’s my boss, and she actually appreciates me. Here’s some compensation for Natalie." He pointed to an envelope on the table.
"You are exactly like your father. How can you do this? Don't you remember how hard it was for us when he left for a rich woman?"
"I remember. That’s why I left the money."
He stood up, went to his room, and emerged minutes later with a suitcase. He tossed his keys onto the hallway shelf and slammed the door behind him.
Ruth collapsed into a chair and wept. How could he do this to Natalie? How could he do this to her? After half an hour of crying, she wiped her eyes. Tears wouldn't fix this.
"My daughter needs me."
***
A month later, Natalie was discharged, though she was still unable to walk. Using the money Ethan had left, Ruth bought a specialized bed and a wheelchair. Natalie’s colleagues helped move her back to the apartment. Natalie had accepted her husband’s betrayal; she simply didn't have the strength left to be angry. She was endlessly grateful that her mother-in-law hadn't abandoned her.
"Natalie, how could I ever leave you? You’re my daughter. My real daughter. We’re going to be just fine. Besides, it’s New Year’s Eve. I think we both have the same wish for the coming year. Miracles happen, you just have to believe in them—and help them along a little."
At 11:30 PM, the doorbell rang. On the threshold stood a young man who had helped move Natalie home earlier that day.
"Listen, I don't have anyone to spend New Year's with. Would it be okay if I joined you? If not, I completely understand."
The young man was clearly nervous.
"Come on in, partner. We’re happy to have company."
Mark had brought fruit and a box of chocolates. After the clock struck midnight, he helped wheel Natalie outside so she could watch the fireworks. Ruth noticed the way he looked at her daughter-in-law, but she kept quiet. She didn't mind—in fact, she felt the opposite—but she knew Natalie wasn't ready yet. For the first time in a month, Natalie was smiling. She loved fireworks; they made her feel like a little girl again.
From then on, Mark came by regularly to help take the wheelchair outside for fresh air. Meanwhile, Ruth learned how to perform physical therapy massages.
***
One day, Ruth sat Natalie down for a serious talk.
"Natalie, the doctor called. He said you're ready for the second surgery, the one that could get you walking again. But we don't have that kind of money. Not unless we sell your parents' apartment. I know that’s your only safety net, and I know it's a scary thing to do. So, I want you to have this."
She handed over a piece of paper. Natalie unfolded it and saw it was a deed of gift for Ruth’s apartment.
"But what about your son? He’ll have no inheritance."
"I don't have a son anymore. But I have a daughter," Ruth said, hugging the girl.
A month later, the surgery was performed. It was a success, and Natalie began the long road to recovery. There was still a way to go, but the future looked bright. Mark continued to visit every day.
"Natalie, do you like Mark?" Ruth asked one afternoon. Natalie blushed. "Oh, come on, I’ve seen it since New Year’s. For what it’s worth, I like him a lot."
"I do too," she admitted.
As if sensing they were talking about him, Mark arrived later that day intending to speak with Ruth. He stood in the living room, unsure of how to start.
"You want to tell me you love Natalie?" Ruth asked directly.
"How did you know?"
"Mark, I wasn't born yesterday. I can see it. And I’m all for it. But if you ever hurt my daughter..."
He didn't let her finish. "I won't. Never. I’ve liked her since college, but she was married, so I never reached out. When I heard her coworkers were collecting donations and looking for physical help, I knew it was my chance. I want to propose to her."
"Then do it. What are you waiting for?"
Mark thanked her and rushed to the hospital. Natalie said yes, of course, but insisted the wedding wait until she could stand firmly on her own two feet.
***
Six months later, Ruth watched her daughter in a stunning, pale blue gown standing next to a handsome Mark. They held a small celebration at home. Mark’s parents couldn't make it—they lived abroad. Neither Ruth nor Natalie had ever asked much about Mark’s finances or his family; they just knew they lived far away. It didn't matter.
"Mom, we have a gift for you," Natalie said.
"But it’s your wedding, not mine!"
The couple laughed and handed her an envelope. Inside was a two-week stay at a coastal spa resort.
"You need a rest. You’ve earned it," Mark said. "Go soak up some sun by the ocean."
Ruth had never had such a wonderful vacation. On the day she returned, she told the kids not to worry about picking her up; a friend she’d met at the resort, Michael, was driving her home. When she tried to unlock her front door, the key wouldn't turn. Confused, she knocked. A stranger opened the door.
"Can I help you?" the woman asked dryly.
"I’m sorry, but I live here."
"I don't know about that. I bought this place a week ago."
Ruth turned to Michael, her eyes filling with fear. Had the children really done this to her? They couldn't have. Just then, she saw Natalie and Mark running up the stairs.
"Mom! Sorry, traffic was a nightmare. We wanted it to be a surprise, but we nearly gave you a heart attack!"
"Let’s go back downstairs."
"Natalie... do I not have a home anymore?" Ruth asked quietly, her eyes downcast. "Are you putting me in a home?"
"I won't allow that," Michael cut in.
"Nobody is going anywhere," Mark said firmly. "We bought you a new place, and it’s in your name. You’ll be living right next door to us. After all, we’re going to need a grandmother’s help very soon."
When Ruth walked into the new apartment, she couldn't believe her eyes. It was a spacious two-bedroom with beautiful furniture and modern appliances, and it was right across from a gorgeous park.
"And that’s where you and I will be taking our walks, Ruth," Michael said. He had come along to make sure she was okay. He pointed out the window toward a high-rise in the distance. "In fact, I live right over in that building."
Mark and Natalie watched the older couple and smiled. Ruth, more than anyone, deserved to be happy.
"Now, let’s go over to our place," Mark said, winking at Michael. "Dinner is ready, and my parents are on a video call waiting to meet you."
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