Sarah raised three children. She had twin girls, Elizabeth and Emma, and a son, Benjamin. She was a short, plump woman with beautiful, kind eyes.
Her father left her mother when little Sarah was five years old. After moving to a big city, they never managed to save enough money for their own home. They frequently moved from one rented apartment to another in neighborhoods like Oakwood or Riverview.
Sarah’s father didn’t see this as a problem. He would say:
— Once we save up enough money, we’ll have our own apartment.
But it never happened. Her father traveled often for work, staying away for long periods. When he returned, he brought many gifts for his wife and daughter. One time, he left and never came back. Sarah’s mother grieved deeply. Exactly a year later, she fell seriously ill, and six months after that, she passed away.
— Don’t be afraid, dear. We’ll raise you properly. No one will ever harm you, — said her aunt, Victoria Peterson, who took Sarah into her home.
And so, Sarah grew up without a father or mother. She knew firsthand the lack of parental love and affection. Her friend Alice introduced her to Thomas.
— He just got back from the army. Handsome, broad-shouldered, and a pleasant young man. He started working with us, — Alice said.
— Don’t dismiss him right away. Take a closer look. He might just be your destiny, — said Aunt Victoria, who had become like a true mother to Sarah over the years.
And so it happened. Thomas turned out to be a good, well-mannered, and intelligent young man, capable of thinking sensibly about the future.
Some time later, they moved in together and lived in Thomas’s apartment on Maple Street. Then, the twins were born. A little later, their son Benjamin came into the world.
— I have the best, biggest, and most beloved family, — Thomas would say.
Sarah would only smile shyly and nod. Despite years of living together, Thomas never proposed to her.
— Don’t worry, my dear. I love you and the kids so much. But I can’t marry you just yet. And besides, we’re modern people. A stamp in a passport doesn’t mean anything these days.
— Of course, it’s not the key to family happiness. But I’d still like to make our relationship official.
— Be patient a little longer. I need to settle some things, and it’ll take a lot of money and time. Soon, I promise, — Thomas said, preparing for another trip.
He often traveled to a neighboring city, Springfield, where his parents lived. He stayed with them when he went to handle work-related matters.
He worked as a delivery driver, traveling across the state, so he often left his family for work trips. Sarah sighed heavily and kept waiting.
Time passed, but no marriage proposal came.
— It’s okay. Your mother waited for your father during his long trips too. It’s our woman’s lot to wait, — said Victoria Peterson, trying to cheer Sarah up.
— I don’t mind his work. He brings money home, he’s not stingy, buys everything we need, he’s a good family man, loves the kids, and helps with chores when I ask. But I can’t understand why he doesn’t want to make our relationship official.
— Have you tried talking to him about it?
— Of course I have. He either jokes about it or says we need to wait. But I’m already embarrassed in front of others. I don’t understand what he’s waiting for. We already have three kids.
— Talk to his parents.
— What about his parents? I’ve only met them once, and for some reason, they’re not interested in their grandchildren. They never visit. They call very rarely, and only on holidays.
— That’s strange.
— They were against me from the start as their son’s partner. They didn’t like that I’m an orphan with nothing to my name. They wanted a wealthy daughter-in-law with her own apartment. They think I’m after their son’s place.
— That’s not good, my girl.
— I know. But there’s nothing I can do about it for now.
Sarah didn’t lose hope. She knew how deeply Thomas loved her. So she believed in a better future and tried to think only of the good.
Recently, Sarah started sewing at home. Her passion for sewing began in childhood when she made unique outfits for her dolls. Over time, her hobby turned into a small but steady source of income. Everyone in the neighborhood knew that a torn shirt or pair of pants could be easily fixed by Sarah’s golden hands.
— You’re doing great. Who knows, maybe soon you’ll be earning more than me, — Thomas laughed, packing for another trip to Springfield.
— That’d be nice. Then I’ll fire you from your job and hire you to work for me, — Sarah replied, smiling.
— Yeah, sure, keep dreaming. — Thomas hugged and kissed the kids, said goodbye to Sarah, got in the car, and drove off.
That morning, Sarah didn’t want to let him go. A lump in her chest made it hard to breathe. A bad feeling kept her from working, and intrusive thoughts troubled her all day. She tried calling Thomas, but his phone was stubbornly silent. By evening, exhausted from waiting, Sarah dozed off peacefully by the window. A phone call woke her.
— Hello, — Sarah? — came the familiar voice of Thomas’s father, Vincent Oliver.
— Yes, Vincent, I’m listening.
— I don’t know where to begin. Sarah, something terrible happened. Thomas didn’t make it to us. There was an accident. He didn’t survive.
— What? — Sarah went pale as a sheet, her legs gave way, and she sat on a soft ottoman by the dresser.
— It’s a great tragedy. You need to come. He would’ve wanted that.
— I’ll come for sure.
Hanging up, Sarah covered her face with her hands. Tears streamed down her rosy cheeks.
— It can’t be. It’s some mistake. I don’t understand.
An hour later, Sarah called her friend Alice and told her everything. Alice promised to drive her in her new car. The kids had to be left with Aunt Victoria, who hugged the grief-stricken young woman like a mother at their parting.
— My condolences. Go. Don’t worry about the kids. I’ll manage just fine.
When they arrived in Springfield, Vincent Oliver met Sarah and Alice.
— I’m so sorry, — he said, hugging Sarah.
— Are you just going to stand in the yard? Come inside, — said Thomas’s mother, Theresa Irving.
The house was full of people. Neighbors and relatives, learning of the family tragedy, came to support Thomas’s parents. Sarah didn’t know most of them. Perhaps they didn’t know about her either. But one person caught her attention—a pretty, curvy blonde with beautiful, shoulder-length wavy hair, standing out among the crowd.
— Who’s that? She’s acting way too comfortable, almost like she owns the place, — Alice whispered, leaning toward Sarah’s ear.
— No idea. But I noticed it too.
Everything fell into place when Theresa Irving approached the young woman, said something to her, took her by the hand, and walked over to Sarah.
— Meet Grace, our Thomas’s wife.
— Wife? — Sarah was stunned. — Then who am I? I don’t understand.
— I’m his legal wife, — Grace corrected, — And who are you to my Thomas, if I may ask?
— I don’t even know. Until today, I thought I was his common-law wife, — Sarah replied, feeling her legs tremble again.
— Well, nice to meet you.
— Not really. Please excuse us, — Alice said, taking Sarah by the shoulders and leading her outside.
— How? Why? I don’t understand, — Sarah couldn’t believe Thomas was married and had kept it from her.
— It was before he went to the army, — Vincent Oliver interjected. — Thomas and Grace were close for a while. Then he went to the army, and she promised to wait for him. Soon after, we found out she was pregnant with his child. When he returned, we made him marry her. Everyone must take responsibility for their actions. It’s not right to leave a child without a father.
— But what about me? He met me, — Sarah said, still confused.
— We knew things weren’t serious with Grace. But a child changes everything. Thomas had to marry her. He just didn’t want to live with her. He planned to divorce her and marry you. But we were against it. It’s not right.
— And having three more kids in another city with another woman is right? — Alice asked, comforting Sarah. Vincent lit a cigarette nervously.
— It’s all wrong. I don’t even know why it came to this.
— Now I understand why my Thomas kept delaying making our relationship official, — Sarah said, utterly heartbroken.
— Grace’s father is the mayor of Springfield, — Theresa Irving said, stepping outside. — Grace will help me with everything here, so you can go home. We’ll manage without you. But thanks for stopping by. — She went back inside.
— I think we’re done here, — Alice said, leading Sarah to the car.
— Sarah, thank you for coming. I’ll visit you and the kids next week, — Vincent said.
But Sarah didn’t look back. She got into the car and didn’t say a word.
— It’s wrong to speak ill of the dead, but your Thomas was quite a piece of work. A wife in every city and a bunch of kids, — Alice said. Sarah burst into tears again.
— Wait, friend. I think it’s more complicated than that. It’s obvious he didn’t want to marry her. It’s not even about the child. An influential father—that’s a big reason.
— Enough. I don’t want to hear any more, — Sarah said, unable to take it.
When she got home, she picked up the kids from her aunt, hugged them tightly, and fell asleep in their room.
A week later, as promised, Thomas’s father arrived.
— Hello, Sarah.
— Why are you here?
— I wanted to see my grandkids. I brought gifts, — Vincent Oliver said, fidgeting with his cap and looking guilty.
— Come in, since you’re here.
— Look at you, so grown up. The girls are little princesses, and the boy’s a real champ.
— Theresa didn’t come with you?
— No, she’s at home with chores. Plus, she doesn’t travel well.
— I think she just doesn’t want to acknowledge me or my girls.
— Don’t say that, — Vincent stood up from the chair. — If you need money or any help, just let me know. We’ll help.
— Sure, thanks. I’m managing for now.
After Vincent left, Sarah watched him go for a long time.
A week later, Thomas’s mother appeared at the door with Grace.
— What do I owe this visit to? I didn’t expect to see you here.
— Hello. Mind letting us in? — Theresa Irving said coldly.
— Come in. Are you here for the grandkids? Why didn’t you come with your husband? He said you don’t travel well, but you seem fine.
— Vincent was here? Strange, he didn’t tell me. But I’ll deal with him later. No, dear, I don’t need your kids. I brought Grace to see her apartment.
— What do you mean? This is Thomas’s apartment.
— Yes, but it was bought with money from Grace’s father. George Martin made a generous gift to the newlyweds right after the wedding, — Theresa said.
— As it turns out, Thomas bought this apartment with that money, — Grace added.
— What’s going on? — Sarah was bewildered.
— Haven’t you figured it out yet? I’m Thomas’s legal wife. After his death, this apartment belongs to me and my child, — Grace explained. — So, I suggest you vacate this illegally occupied space as soon as possible.
— My God, what’s happening? Thomas was my husband too, even without a stamp in the passport. We have three kids. You can’t throw us out on the street! Where will we go?
— I don’t care. You have three or four days to get out, — Grace said, leaving the house.
— Understood? I don’t want you or your kids here, — Theresa Irving said sharply.
— How can you not be ashamed? These are your grandchildren too, — Sarah couldn’t hold back.
— Grandchildren? No. Who knows who you had those kids with. I have one grandson, and he’s not your son, — Theresa said, raising her index finger and right hand.
— This is a nightmare, — Sarah couldn’t believe her ears.
She had suspected Thomas’s mother didn’t like her, but to deny her own grandchildren? It was unthinkable.
In her distress, Sarah called Vincent Oliver and told him everything.
— Honestly, I didn’t think it would come to this. But don’t worry, I’ll sort it out.
Four days later, her would-be mother-in-law returned with Grace.
— Well? Ready to vacate the apartment? I brought movers. We’ll help you move out faster, — Grace said through the door.
— Yes, hurry up. Grace and my grandson are ready to move into their apartment. And by the way, be thankful we’re not charging you for all the years you lived here illegally, — Theresa added.
Sarah opened the door.
— Come in.
Theresa Irving and Grace entered the room. Vincent Oliver was sitting on the couch. Seeing him, Theresa’s face changed.
— You? What are you doing here? — she asked her husband.
— Didn’t expect me, did you? I never thought you’d stoop so low. Our Thomas loved Sarah and the kids. These are our grandchildren. We can’t throw them out on the street.
— What are you talking about? Our grandson and daughter-in-law won’t be on the street. This is their apartment. These impostors need to be kicked out.
— What a cruel heart you have. I never noticed it before. I’m sorry to disappoint you, but you have three grandchildren, and you’re planning to throw them out, — Vincent said, showing his wife a document.
— What’s this?
— I may not be what I used to be, but I still have some connections. This is an expert report. That boy you forced our son to marry for isn’t our grandson at all.
— I don’t believe it. It’s a fake.
— It’s real. And Grace can confirm my words. Right, dear?
— It doesn’t matter. Even if my George isn’t your grandson, I’m still the legal wife. I can claim this apartment by law, — Grace said.
— No, you can’t, — Vincent handed Grace another document. — This is a will, written and signed by Thomas shortly before his death. He loved Sarah and the kids. He was afraid they’d be left with nothing.
— What a twist, — Grace examined the will curiously. — This is nonsense. There was no will. It’s all fake. — She tore up the paper.
Vincent smiled.
— My friends, those were just copies. The originals are in a safe place. And if you plan to take this to court, we’ll gladly provide the originals after an official request.
— What a disgrace. Let’s get out of here, Theresa, — Grace said, trying to take her mother-in-law by the hand, but Theresa pulled away sharply.
— No, I think I’ll stay. How could I visit my children and not see my beloved grandchildren? — she said with a forced smile.
Sarah exchanged a glance with Vincent, and they both smiled. Finally, justice had prevailed.
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