Lydias former mother-in-law arrived for a visit, unaware of the divorce.
«Can you believe it? Margaret has no idea Archie and I split up,» Lydia said, turning off her phone with a shaky hand. «And shes on her way here right now.»
Bella gasped. «Seriously? To this flat?»
«Thats the problem,» Lydia frowned. «She thinks were still together. Said she missed the grandchildren.»
«Why are you so scared? Shes nothing to you now.»
«Easy for you to say. You dont know her. Shes a formidable womanwell-connected. If she thinks I hid this from her, shell suspect something and make my life miserable.»
Bella raised an eyebrow. «Has she really not called or visited in all this time?»
«We had a falling out. Last time she came from Brighton two years ago, we argued.»
«About Archie?»
«Not just him,» Lydia sighed. «She disapproved of everythinghow we hosted her, how we raised the kids, everything.»
«And?»
«And we fought. Harsh words were exchanged. She said she never wanted to see me again and left. Since then, shes only spoken to Archie.»
«And he?»
«Of course he used it against me. Said if I didnt respect his mother, I didnt love him. Blamed me for his work troubles, then vanished for a week. When he finally called, he said hed met someone else and wanted a divorce.»
«So Archie never told her,» Bella mused.
«Exactly. And he didnt mention taking half the flat, leaving me in this tiny shared place with the kids, the cat, and the dog.»
Bella shook her head. «And now she thinks everythings fine?»
«Worseshe said shes got urgent business in London and will stay with us for a week.»
«Wheres us supposed to be?»
Lydia gestured around the cramped room. «Here.»
The doorbell rang.
Lydia paled. «Thats her. What do I say?»
«Tell her the truth.»
«Shell blame me. Scream. I cant face it. Maybe we just dont answer?»
«Then shell really suspect something.»
The bell rang again.
«Open it,» Bella said firmly. «And dont be afraid. Youve done nothing wrong. Im right here.»
Lydia took a breath and opened the door.
«Hello, Margaret,» she said quietly.
«Why did you take so long?» Margaret demanded, stepping inside with two suitcases. «Hiding someone?»
«No, I was just talking to my friend.»
«What friend?»
Bella stepped forward. «Hello. Im Bella.»
Margaret gave her a disdainful look before turning back to Lydia. «Is Archie at work?»
«Probably,» Lydia muttered.
«Probably? You dont know where your husband is?»
Lydia hesitated.
«Hes not her husband!» Bella snapped.
Margarets eyes narrowed. «Excuse me?»
«They divorced a year ago,» Bella said boldly. «And your precious son took half the flat, sold his share, and left Lydia here with the kids, a cat, and a dog. Any more questions?»
Margaret stared at Lydia. «Is this true?»
«Yes. We divorced last autumn.»
«I meant about the flat.»
«He had the right to sell his half. Hes remarried now.»
«Remarried?»
«Claims his new wife is expecting. Asked me not to push for child supportpromised to pay later. Said hes struggling at work.»
Bella scoffed. «And you believed him? Hell never pay. Theres no baby, no new wifejust lies to manipulate you.»
Margaret frowned. «Why didnt he tell me?»
«Maybe he didnt want to upset you,» Lydia offered weakly.
«Perhaps,» Margaret murmured.
But the truth was simpler: Archie had kept quiet for his own gain.
«Let her think were still together,» hed reasoned. «Mum hates Lydia but loves the grandkids. If she pities us, shell help me buy a flat.»
Every month, hed called, complaining how cramped their two-bedroom flat was. Sent photos of the kids, knowing Margaret adored them. Hinted they needed a bigger place but couldnt afford it.
«Our eldest starts school soon,» hed sigh. «No room for a desk. The girls even wrote to Father Christmas, begging for a flat near Kings Cross. Sweet, isnt it? They ask about you all the time. But dont worrywell manage. Shell study at the kitchen table if she must.»
He knew exactly what he was doing.
«Shell find a solution,» he thought. «And Ill nudge her toward selling her cottage in Cornwall. Four bedrooms near Regents Parkperfect.»
Now, standing in Lydias flat, Margaret saw the truth.
«I see,» she said coolly. «Where are the girls?»
«Nursery.»
«And your job?»
«I work remotely.»
«Whos the neighbour?»
«A kind woman. Didnt mind the pets. Recently divorced too. Shes at work.»
Margaret smirked. «How lovely. Fine. Ill go.»
She left without another word.
«Its over,» Lydia exhaled, shutting the door. «I thought shed scream.»
Two months later, Archie called his mother.
«Long time, Mum. Everything alright? Good. Listen, about the flat situationwhat if we sold your cottage? A four-bed near Regents Park would solve everything. The girls need their own rooms. But no pressure, of course.»
Margaret cut him off. «There is no cottage.»
«What? Did it burn down?»
«Sold it.»
«Wheres the money?»
«Spent it.»
«On what?»
«A four-bed flat. For the girls.»
Archies vision blurred. «My girls? Theyre children! You cant»
«Its done. Near Angel station.»
The next day, Archie stormed into Lydias new flat, seething as he inspected every room.
«This shouldve been mine,» he thought. «But Ill fix this. Marry her again, then make sure shes gone for good.»
He turned to Lydia. «Mums forgiven you. Otherwise, she wouldnt have bought this flat. We can be together again.»
«She didnt buy it for us.»
«Then who?»
«The girls.»
«Its the same thing. Were getting remarried. Tomorrow. The registry office10 AM. Dont be late.»
«Wouldnt dream of it,» Lydia said sweetly.
Of course, she never showed. Archie fumed, called her, rescheduled. Again and again. Six months passed, each appointment «forgotten.» The registry staff admired his perseverance.
«Now thats true love,» they whispered. «Rain or shine, hes here. Remember that storm? Trees uprootedstill came. If he ever stops, we should build a statue. A monument to devotion!»
The lesson? Some people mistake persistence for entitlementbut no amount of waiting turns selfishness into love.
