«Take him away, someoneanyone!»
«Layla, are you out of your mind? What do you mean ‘take him away’? Lucas is your son! You cant just give him up like that!» Olivia stood in the middle of the kitchen, gripping a tea towel so tightly her knuckles turned white.
Layla sat at the table, nervously fiddling with the edge of the tablecloth.
«Mum, why are you being so dramatic?» Layla leaned back in her chair, feigning indifference. «I dont have to sacrifice my life for a child. Im only thirty-two, in case youve forgotten.»
Olivia sank onto the chair opposite her daughter, a sinking feeling in her chest. Layla continued,
«Ive finally found a decent man, Mum. Ethans proposed. We want to move in together, start fresh.» She met her mothers eyes. «But Lucas… Lucas will just get in the way. You know how it isnew relationship, adjustments and all that.»
«Lucas is only twelve, Layla!» Olivias voice trembled. «He needs his mother. Hell realise youve thrown him aside for… for Ethan.»
Olivia watched her daughter flinch, but Layla quickly recovered, waving a dismissive hand.
«Honestly, Mum, itll be fine. Stop overreacting.» She stood, pacing the kitchen. «I need to sort my life out, okay? Not fuss over a kid day and night. Besides, hes old enough to manage without me. Plenty of boys his age are independent.»
Olivia stared, barely recognising the selfish woman before her. When had her sweet girl turned into this? She rose and walked to the window.
«No, Layla. I wont allow it. You cant do this to your own child.»
«Oh, here we go again!» Layla snatched her bag from the chair. «I thought youd understand, support me. But fineIll figure it out myself.»
She stormed out, slamming the door behind her. Olivia stood frozen, heart aching with dread.
Three months later, Olivia watched from the banquet hall as her daughter married Ethan. Guests laughed, music blared, but joy eluded her. She mingled, smiled, but inside, unease gnawed at her.
Finally, she approached the newlyweds. Ethan was regaling his friends with some story while Layla beamed beside him in white.
«Layla,» Olivia touched her shoulder. «Wheres Lucas? I havent seen him among the guests.»
Layla whipped around, irritation flaring. She grabbed Olivias arm, pulling her aside.
«Mum, are you mad? Why bring him up in front of everyone?»
«Where is your son? Hes not at his own mothers wedding?»
Layla pursed her lips, avoiding her gaze.
«Ethan… he doesnt get on with Lucas.» She spoke quickly, as if eager to end the conversation. «So Lucas stayed home. No point ruining the dayhed be bored anyway.»
Olivia stepped back, eyes widening. Her chest tightened.
«You left a twelve-year-old alone on your wedding day because your new husband doesnt like him?» Her voice shook with fury. «Layla, whats happened to you? Thats your son!»
«Mum, dont make a scene!» Layla glanced nervously at the guests. «This is my day. Dont ruin it with your lectures.»
Olivia turned and walked out. Layla called after her, but she didnt look back. Hailing a taxi, she gave the driver the address18 Primrose Lane.
The whole ride, she thought of Lucas. Alone. Hurting. Already fatherless, now abandoned by his mother.
She reached the flat, knocked.
«Lucas, its Grandma! Open up!»
Footsteps. The door cracked open.
«Gran… is it really you?»
«Of course, darling.»
The boy stood therehair tousled, eyes red. Olivia pulled him into a tight hug.
«Gran… does Mum not love me anymore?» His voice shook. «She left for her wedding without me. Said to stay quiet and not answer the door.»
Olivia held him tighter, throat tight.
«Pack your things, love. Youre coming home with me.» She cupped his face. «I promiseitll be alright.»
As Lucas packed, Olivia texted Layla:
«Lucas is staying with me.»
The reply came instantly:
«See? I suggested that ages ago. Shouldve listened.»
Olivia turned off her phone. No energy left for this.
Her two-bed flat had space enough. Lucas took Laylas old room. Those first days, he was quiet, withdrawn. Olivia tried to distract him.
«Lucas, want to learn how to make the worlds best pancakes?» she asked one morning.
He nodded, and they stood side by side at the stove, mixing batter.
«Gran… why doesnt Mum ever call?» he asked, flipping a pancake.
Olivia paused, then smoothed his hair.
«Adults make mistakes, love. Big ones.» She chose her words carefully. «But its not your fault. Youre wonderful, and I love you dearly.»
Slowly, life settled. She enrolled Lucas in swimming and coding classeshed always wanted to design games. He blossomed, growing confident, steady.
Years flew by. The shy boy became a tall, composed young man. Layla called only a handful of timesalways about paperwork. She had a daughter with Ethan now, her social media flooded with pictures of her «perfect» family.
Lucass eighteenth birthday passed quietly.
«Hard to believe youre all grown up,» Olivia smiled as they cleared the table.
Once the guests left, she turned to him.
«Theres something you should know. The flat your mum lives inits yours.»
Lucas froze.
«What?»
«Your dad… he passed when you were five. But he left a will. The flat was always yoursyour mother just managed it till you turned eighteen.»
Lucas set down the towel.
«So… its legally mine?»
Olivia nodded.
«Entirely. Your fathers gift to you.»
For two weeks, Lucas was pensive. Olivia didnt pryhed speak when ready.
Then, at dawn, her phone rang. Laylawho hadnt called in years.
«Mum, what have you done?» she shrieked. «Why tell Lucas about the will? Now hes threatening to evict us! To sue!»
Olivia exhaled, sitting at the kitchen table.
«Layla, I did right by him. That flat is his. His father ensured it.» Her voice was calm. «But youd never understand. Youve only ever thought of yourself. Years without seeing him, yet you want his home? No.»
«Mum, where will we live? I have a family!»
«Ask Ethan. Let him provide for younot squat in a boys home you cast him out of five years ago.» A pause. «I stayed silent till Lucas turned eighteen. But now? Ill help him claim whats his.»
She hung up. Turning, she found Lucas in the doorway, a faint smile on his lips.
«Thank you, Gran.»
She returned the smile.
«Well get your home back, love.»
He hugged her tightlyjust as shed hugged him on Laylas wedding day.
«Youve been my mum and dad, Gran. Ill never leave you. Were familyalways. The morning sun spilled through the kitchen window as Olivia sipped her tea, watching Lucas pack a folder of legal documents. He stood taller now, not just in body but in resolve.
«Ready?» she asked softly.
He nodded. «Its not about revenge, Gran. Its about having a place thats truly mine. Where I belong.»
She reached over, squeezing his hand. «And youll always have a home with me, no matter what.»
He smiled, the weight of years lifting. «I know. But today, Im going to stand on my own.»
They left the flat together, stepping into the light, side by side.
