Emma grew up surrounded by love and affection. Her parents adored their only daughter, spoiling her and fulfilling her every wish. They bought her the finest clothes and granted her every whim; she had almost everything one could dream of. The only thing that dissatisfied her was living in the suburbs of Washington, D.C.
She longed to move to the city, where there were more entertainment options and freedom. So, Emma decided to find a husband with an apartment in the capital.
One night at a party in a downtown nightclub, she met James. The two instantly hit it off, and a passionate romance began. After a few months of dating, Emma moved into James’s apartment in Washington, D.C., where he lived with his mother, Elizabeth Ann. Soon, they celebrated a lavish wedding.
— Emma, dear, what household chores will you take on today? — Elizabeth asked her one day.
— Is that really necessary? I’m quite comfortable as it is.
— Wonderful, but what’s your goal in life?
— Elizabeth Ann! Why do you always pick on me? I’ve been married to your son for six months, and you nag me with your comments every day. I’m off to meet a friend; I don’t feel like staying here with you.
— Don’t you want to cook dinner for your husband?
— We’ll dine at a restaurant; my husband can afford it. You can cook for yourself if you want.
— How can your conscience allow you to speak to me like that?
— You’re such a bore!
Tears welled up in Elizabeth Ann’s eyes. She quickly left and locked herself in her room. No one could have imagined that her beloved son would bring such a woman into their home. She had given birth to James from a renowned scientist, now deceased. James’s father had provided for his son and wife during his lifetime, leaving them an apartment, a bank account, and a business registered in James’s name.
Elizabeth Ann had envisioned her old age as peaceful and calm, but the arrival of her brazen daughter-in-law ruined her plans. Emma constantly disrespected her mother-in-law, ignored her opinions, and acted as if she were the lady of the house, not Elizabeth Ann.
Several times, Elizabeth tried to discuss her daughter-in-law’s behavior with her son, but it led nowhere.
— Mom, please don’t drag me into your women’s quarrels. I have enough problems at work; I just want to relax at home.
— Son, I can’t take it anymore. Emma constantly insults me; she called me…
James touched his mother’s arm, trying to comfort her.
— Mommy, don’t cry. I love you so much. How about we go somewhere together this weekend? Maybe to the movies?
Elizabeth Ann hugged James, knowing she had a kind and attentive son, and regretted that he had ended up with such a wife.
James calmed his mother and decided to have a serious talk with his wife. He asked when she would stop treating his mother so rudely.
— Me, rude? It’s your mother who provokes me! Why did you marry me if her opinion matters more than mine?
— Let’s move to a rented apartment and live separately. That way, your arguments will stop.
— No way! I’m not leaving the city center or paying for rent!
— Fine, but if my mother complains about your rudeness again, we’re moving out immediately, got it?
Emma began to cry, and her tears upset James. He hugged her to console her, and she promised to be more restrained with his mother. But the very next day, it all started again.
Some time later, Emma announced to everyone that she was pregnant. From that moment, Elizabeth Ann’s life became a living hell. Emma began trying to push her mother-in-law out of the house. But one day, Elizabeth mustered the courage and showed Emma the door.
Emma boldly turned and left. She spent the whole day shopping and dining with a friend, then visited a salon. She was proud of herself but later grew worried when her husband didn’t call. He must have returned from work and noticed she wasn’t home.
Evening came, and James still hadn’t called. Emma tried calling him but couldn’t get through. She decided to go home and was stunned: her suitcases were outside the apartment door. She tried to unlock the door, but the key didn’t work. She began pounding and kicking the door.
— What do you think you’re doing? I’m pregnant! If something happens to me and I die here, it’ll be on your conscience! James! Do you hear me? — Emma shouted furiously.
No one responded to her cries. She grabbed her bags and left. Struggling, she dragged her suitcases outside, called a taxi, and went to an upscale hotel.
For a while, she lived in hotels—first the finest, then simpler ones, eventually settling in the cheapest one.
Emma tried to find James, visiting his workplace and waiting near the house, but she never saw him. It was as if he and his mother had vanished. When the day of her delivery arrived, she was taken from the hotel to the hospital. A week later, she packed her things and left for her parents’ home for good.
She abandoned her newborn son at the hospital, refusing even to look at him or breastfeed.
Emma didn’t tell her parents about their grandson. Her father and mother were overjoyed to have their daughter back, but the news of her divorce saddened them. They tried to support her and distract her from her troubles. Before long, Emma resumed her old lifestyle, but her entertainments were no longer as innocent as before.
She began frequenting bars, and her father would bring her home drunk and incoherent in the early hours. Her parents even considered forcing her into treatment at a clinic, but their efforts failed. Emma spiraled to rock bottom. One day, after another binge, she disappeared for good.
Five years passed. James, returning home from work, noticed a boy in tattered clothes sitting alone on a bench near the house.
— What are you doing here, little one? — James asked.
— I’m just sitting here.
— I can see that, but where’s your home?
— I don’t have a home.
— Where are your mom and dad?
— I don’t have them. Well, I have a mom, but she’s gone, and I don’t know where she is, — the boy replied.
— You’re a big boy! What’s your name?
— I’m five years old! My name’s Alex.
— I’m James! You must be hungry, right?
— A little.
— Let’s go up to my apartment, and I’ll treat you to dinner.
Elizabeth Ann was surprised to see her son at the door with a homeless boy.
— Son, whose child is this?
— This is Alex. He has no parents and nowhere to live, so he’ll stay with us for now. We’ll see what happens next.
— But he’s a stranger, James. Why do we need this?
— Mom, he’s about the same age as Michael. I think we should keep an eye on him. I’ve been so busy—how’s Michael doing? Is his throat still sore?
— He’s doing fine; he just fell asleep. You’re right, — she said thoughtfully. — If you hadn’t kept tabs on our Emma and we hadn’t found out she abandoned her son at the hospital, our little Michael could’ve ended up on the streets too. I’ll go bathe Alex, then we’ll feed him. Tomorrow, we’ll find out more about him.
James spent months handling paperwork to adopt Alex. It turned out his mother had died in childbirth, and he’d been sent to an orphanage. Now James had two sons, and the boys quickly bonded, inseparable like two peas in a pod. Their father loved them equally and spared no expense for them.
One day, a new employee named Katherine Mary joined James’s company. She was an attractive woman with a sad gaze. Ambitious and driven, within six months, she rose from an ordinary economist to a department head. Colleagues showed her attention, but outside of work, she kept to herself.
Katherine often stayed late in James’s office, preparing reports and documents, but never allowed him to drive her home. One morning, James arrived at work early and saw Katherine walking in the opposite direction from the office, her head down, clearly upset.
Curious, James followed her by car. When he got closer, he saw her approach a hospital and sit on a bench. She was crying. Unable to stand by, James approached and sat beside her.
— Katherine Mary, what’s wrong? Can I help?
Suddenly, Katherine turned to him, buried her face in his chest, and sobbed harder, unable to hold back. Later, she calmed down and looked up at James.
— Thank you for being here. I didn’t expect to trust anyone like this.
— Tell me what happened. Why are you here?
Katherine shared her story.
Years ago, she had been in a relationship with a married man. She loved him deeply but had no intention of breaking up his family. Still, she wanted a child with him. At the time, Katherine worked at a prestigious firm.
She later discovered she was pregnant and moved to another city to keep her condition a secret from her lover. Then, shocking events unfolded. Financial misconduct was uncovered at her previous workplace, and though Katherine had no part in it, she was accused of theft. Her move to another city became a key point against her.
— When I was seven months pregnant, I was arrested. The stress caused premature labor. Can you imagine? They brought me to this very hospital to give birth, under guard. My baby was born premature, and they wouldn’t even let me see him—they took him to another ward. I was transferred to a prison clinic. The investigation lasted four years, and I spent that time in jail. They eventually found the real culprits and cleared my name. As soon as I was released, I came to this hospital, but they said they couldn’t help me. Today is my son’s fifth birthday, James. I’m sorry for burdening you with my problems, but I can’t cope with this pain, and I’ve given up hope.
— No, Kate, do you mind if we switch to first names? You did the right thing by telling me. I understand you—my own life’s been a mess, but we’ll talk about that later. I’d like you to come to my place to compose yourself and freshen up.
— Yes, that sounds good. Thank you, James.
— I’d be glad if you’d join us to celebrate my son’s birthday. Alex turns five today, and I think he’d be happy. I recently adopted him.
— Alex? — Kate nearly fainted. — I named my son Alex!
James and Katherine lived happily together for years, raising their two sons. Elizabeth Ann couldn’t have been prouder of the young couple; her son had finally found a good woman.
One day, on her way back from the store, Elizabeth Ann saw a drunk woman on the street. Her face seemed familiar. Upon closer look, she realized—it was Emma.
She decided not to tell her son about it. Why stir up the past when he hadn’t thought of her in years?
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