"You've spoiled them, that's the truth of it." Sarah looked at her sister with a mix of sympathy and sternness. "Why did you spend your whole life dancing attendance on your husband? Why did you do everything for your daughter? She's a grown woman, yet she's never so much as rinsed her own plate or picked her socks up off the floor. They were comfortable with you the way people are comfortable with a maid—this ghost-person who serves, cleans, launders, and most importantly, never demands an ounce of respect." Jane nodded slowly. "You're right, Sarah. You're absolutely right. But what's ...

"Oh, Kate, you really hit the jackpot!" Irene took a sip of coffee from her snow-white porcelain cup and smiled at her friend. "Who would've thought all those dreams would come true, right? Remember when we were college students, splitting one fashion magazine between us and skipping lunch to save a few bucks?" Kate shrugged. "That was then, Irene. But you're right, we really can't complain." The friends were sitting on the terrace of a sprawling suburban estate belonging to Kate's husband, Ethan Vance, a highly successful plastic surgeon. Ethan earned a small fortune; his surgery schedule was usually booked ...

Neighbors and strangers often mistake me for a mother of three. These days, having three kids is considered a large family, but the truth is that one of the little ones isn't my son. Leo is my nephew. He recently turned four, and he's spent half his life living with us. He calls me "Mom" and my husband "Dad," and he considers our two boys his brothers. He doesn't remember his own parents anymore, and whether they ever think of him is anyone's guess. Sometimes I wished they would just formally give him up so I could legally adopt him. ...

Finally, the long-awaited first day of school had arrived! It was a momentous occasion for the new first graders—late August, and the air was buzzing with excitement. Crowds of children, both small and grown, flowed toward the school building like a rising tide. The incoming first graders were, naturally, holding their parents' hands. They looked quite important—the girls sporting enormous hair bows and the boys in crisp new suits with fresh haircuts. Everyone carried beautiful bouquets of flowers, and brand-new backpacks were cinched tight over their small shoulders. David and Sarah proudly led their only daughter, little Maya, by the ...

"Kate, what on earth are you doing?!" Mark strode toward his wife, and she closed her eyes in terror, bracing for a blow. But he only snatched their daughter's coat out of her hands. "I'm not letting you take Lily! Where are you going to go? You have nowhere! You idiot, you want to live in the gutter yourself, and you're dragging the child down with you!" Kate burst into tears again. She had no strength left to look at her husband's smug face and listen to his insults. "I'd rather live in the gutter than with you!" she shouted. ...