«Natalie, you wont believe what Ive just heard!» said Irene, who was usually calm but now sounded deeply shaken.
«Whats happened?» asked Natalie, surprised by her friends unusual agitation.
«I cant explain over the phone. Im just around the cornercan I come by?»
«Of course,» Natalie replied, now even more curious.
***
«Well, out with it!» Natalie urged as she set out fresh tea and a warm apple pie.
«I hardly know where to begin,» Irene murmured, absently stirring her tea.
«Start at the beginning, then,» Natalie suggested.
«The beginning? Right.»
Irene took a deep breath before asking, «Do you remember Dr. Evelyn Saunders from our old GP surgery?»
«Of course! A wonderful doctor. She saved my sons lifeand so many others. Diagnosed illnesses no one else could spot. Always answered calls, even at odd hours. A true healer.»
«Exactly,» Irene nodded. «She saved my daughter, too. If not for her, I dont know what wouldve happened.»
«Why bring her up now? Shes been retired for years.»
«Was retired,» Irene corrected softly. «She passed away.»
«What? But I saw her just last monthsmiling, full of life. She didnt seem ill.»
«She wasnt. She was perfectly healthy.»
«Then how?»
«You wont believe it,» Irene said bitterly. «Her own children did this. Drove their mother to the grave.»
«No! Thats impossible!»
«Oh, its possible,» Irene replied, her face hardening.
***
Evelyn Saundersonce just Eviehad married a young RAF officer fresh out of medical school. She followed him from base to base, raising their two children while working tirelessly as a GP.
Her husband, Richard, was often away, leaving Evelyn to manage home and career alone. She never complained. To outsiders, their life seemed perfecta spacious home in Surrey, a comfortable income. But behind closed doors, Richard grew distant, then unfaithful.
Evelyn knew but said nothing, not wanting to disrupt the childrens lives. Until one day, Richard simply leftmoving in with a widow down the road. He retired soon after and vanished with his new family.
The children blamed Evelyn. In their eyes, she had driven their father away.
***
The quiet war began.
Her daughter, Margaret, excelled academically, left for London, and married a wealthy businessman. She bought a flat near Evelyn but never visited, renting it out instead.
Her son, Edward, was the oppositea charming troublemaker. By forty, hed burned through two marriages, abandoned his children, and moved back in with Evelyn. He drank heavily, refused work, and treated her like a servant.
When he fled to avoid child support, Evelynever the devoted grandmotherpaid it herself. She worked double shifts, exhausting herself to cover his debts.
Then Edward returned with a new girlfriend, turning Evelyns home into a drunken mess. One night, he threw her out.
Neighbors found her on the doorstep. They called Margaret, who grudgingly took her inonly to later dump her in a care home without a word.
Four months later, Evelyn died alone.
Margaret cremated her in secret. No one knows where her ashes rest.
***
Some blame Richards betrayal. Others curse the children. A few whisper Evelyn spoiled them too much.
But the wise say nothing, knowing some wounds run too deep for simple judgment.
The lesson? Even the kindest hearts can be broken by those they love mostyet its never too late to set boundaries, lest kindness become a cage.
