«Someone take him away,» Laura said, her voice sharp.
«Laura, have you lost your mind? What do you mean, ‘take him away’? He’s your son!» Emma stood in the middle of the kitchen, gripping a tea towel so tightly her knuckles turned white.
Laura sat at the table, nervously twisting the edge of the tablecloth.
«Mum, why are you overreacting?» She leaned back in her chair, feigning indifference. «Im not obligated to sacrifice my life for a child. Im only thirty-two, in case youve forgotten.»
Emma sank into the chair opposite her daughter, her chest tight with dread. Laura carried on.
«Ive finally met a decent man, Mum. Daniels proposed. We want to move in together, start fresh.» She met her mothers gaze. «But Jack Jackll just get in the way. You understand, dont you? New relationship, adjusting, all that.»
«Jacks only twelve, Laura!» Emmas voice trembled. «He needs his mother. Hell know youve thrown him aside forfor Daniel.»
Emma watched her daughter flinch, but Laura quickly composed herself, waving a hand dismissively.
«Dont be dramatic, Mum. I need to sort my life out, understand? Not spend every minute fussing over a kid. Hes old enough to manage without me. Boys his age are plenty independent.»
Emma stared, barely recognising the woman before her. When had her sweet girl turned into this selfish stranger? She stood, moving to the window.
«No, Laura. I wont allow it. You cant abandon your own son like this.»
«Oh, here we go again!» Laura snatched her handbag from the chair. «I thought youd understand, support me. But fineIll handle it myself.»
She stormed out, slamming the door behind her. Emma remained motionless, staring at the closed door, her heart aching with foreboding.
Three months later, Emma stood in a banquet hall, watching her daughters wedding. Guests laughed, music blared, but she felt no joy. She forced smiles as she greeted familiar faces, though unease twisted inside her.
Finally, she approached the newlyweds. Daniel was chatting animatedly with friends while Laura beamed in her white gown.
«Laura,» Emma touched her daughters shoulder. «Wheres Jack? I dont see him here.»
Laura whipped around, irritation flashing in her eyes. She grabbed Emmas arm, pulling her aside.
«Mum, are you mad? Why bring him up in front of everyone?»
«Where is your son? Why isnt he at your wedding?» Emma pressed.
Laura pursed her lips, glancing away.
«Daniel doesnt get on with Jack. He stayed homedidnt want to ruin the day. Hed have been bored anyway.»
Emma stepped back, eyes wide. Her chest constricted.
«You left a twelve-year-old alone on your wedding day? Because your new husband doesnt like him?» Her voice shook with fury and pain. «Laura, whats happened to you? Hes your child!»
«Mum, dont make a scene!» Laura hissed, glancing at the guests. «This is my day. Dont spoil it.»
Emma turned and walked out without another word. Laura called after her, but she didnt look back. Outside, she hailed a cab.
«Primrose Lane, number eighteen,» she told the driver.
The entire ride, she thought of Jack. Was he crying? Alone? His father had been gone since he was five, and now his mother had betrayed him too.
She hurried up to the fourth floor and knocked.
«Jack, its Grandma! Open up, love.» She leaned against the door.
Footsteps approached.
«Grandma is it really you?»
«Of course, sweetheart. Open the door.»
The lock clicked. Jack stood therehair messy, eyes red. Emma pulled him into a tight embrace.
«Does Mum not love me anymore?» His voice shook. «She left me here. Told me to stay quiet and not let anyone in.»
Emma hugged him tighter, her throat tight.
«Pack your things, Jack. Youre coming to live with me,» she said, pulling back to look at him. «Everythings going to be alright.»
As Jack gathered his belongings, Emma texted Laura: *»Jacks moving in with me.»*
The reply came instantly: *»See? Thats what I suggested in the first place.»*
Emma turned off her phone. She couldnt bear another word.
Her two-bed flat had just enough space. Jack took Lauras old room. At first, he was quiet, withdrawn, but Emma did her best to distract him.
«Fancy learning to make the best cheese scones in the world?» she asked one morning.
He nodded, and they stood side by side at the stove, mixing flour and butter.
«Grandma why doesnt Mum ever call?» Jack asked as he shaped the dough.
Emma hesitated, then smoothed his hair gently.
«Adults make mistakes, Jack. Big ones. But its not your fault. Youre wonderful, and I love you very much.»
Slowly, life settled. Emma enrolled Jack in swimming and coding classeshed always wanted to design games. He grew more confident, happier.
Years passed. Jack became a tall, steady young man. Laura called only a handful of times, always about paperwork. Shed had a daughter with Daniel, and from the rare social media posts, she seemed happy.
On Jacks eighteenth birthday, they celebrated quietly.
«Cant believe youre all grown up,» Emma said fondly.
After the guests left, they tidied up. Emma washed dishes while Jack dried.
«Jack, theres something you should know,» she turned off the tap. «The flat your mother lives inits yours.»
Jack froze, towel in hand.
«What?»
«Your father he passed when you were five, but he left a will. The flat was always meant for you. Your mother was just the guardian until you turned eighteen.»
Jack set the towel down slowly.
«So its legally mine?»
Emma nodded.
«Entirely. Its your inheritance.»
For two weeks, Jack was quiet, thoughtful. Emma didnt pryhe was grown now.
Then, early one morning, Laura called. She hadnt phoned in years.
«Mum, what have you done?» she shrieked. «Why did you tell Jack about the will? Now hes threatening to evict us!»
Emma exhaled, sitting at the kitchen table.
«Laura, I did the right thing. The flat is Jacks. His father provided for him. But you wouldnt understandyou only think of yourself. You havent seen your son in years, yet you want to keep whats his? It wont happen.»
«Mum, where are we supposed to live?»
«Ask Daniel. Let him support you, instead of living in a boys homethe same boy you cast out five years ago. I kept quiet until Jack was of age, but now Ill help him get whats his. Dont bother arguing.»
She hung up. Turning, she saw Jack in the doorway, a faint smile on his face.
«Thanks, Grandma,» he said softly.
Emma smiled back.
«Well sort this, Jack. Youll have your home.»
He hugged her tightlyjust as shed held him on Lauras wedding day.
«Youve been my mum and dad. I love you so much. Id never leave you alone. Were family. «Were family,» Jack whispered, his voice thick with emotion.
Emma held him close, feeling the weight of years dissolve in that embrace.
Later that week, Jack met with a solicitor. The flat was legally transferred into his name. He didnt evict Laura and Danielnot yet. Instead, he set a condition: if they stayed, theyd pay rent, and theyd acknowledge himno more pretending he didnt exist.
Laura, furious, called Emma one last time. «Youve turned my son against me.»
«No,» Emma said calmly. «You did that the day you left him alone on your wedding day. He found his own way backto me, to himself. You had your chance.»
Months passed. Jack moved forward, studying computer science, designing a game he called *The Silent Key*. Emma helped him paint the spare room into a proper office.
One evening, as rain tapped gently on the windows, Jack handed her a framed print. It showed a pixel-art familytwo figures holding hands beneath a wide tree, roots deep, branches sheltering a small boy.
«For you,» he said. «Its called *Our Foundation*.»
Emma touched the glass, tears spilling.
She had lost a daughterbut shed gained a son. And in the quiet warmth of their home, love, at last, felt complete.
