«Go ahead. And tell him by the way that his things can be picked up from the neighbors this evening. And my daughter and I will go to my parents to not traumatize the child with ugly scenes.»
Emily hung up and decided it was time to go home and throw out everything related to the vile cheater from the apartment. And file for divorce. But that could be done later. Luckily, now it’s no problem – open the internet and go!
When Michael came home from work, he was surprised. He was preparing for a serious and unpleasant talk, not believing his mother that Emily was capable of what she promised. He prepared a speech with excuses. But a surprise awaited him.
The apartment had a new lock, and a note on the door said his things were in apartment 17.
Picking up the suitcases, Michael went to his mother’s. Angela with her son still lived with her mom. Living with them would be weird, especially since Michael hadn’t done the paternity test yet. And wasn’t sure Daniel was his child.
«How could you blow your money like that?» his mother yelled at him. «Where will you live now? With me? And drag Angela with the kid here too?»
«Well, where else? We’ll figure something out later.»
«You already figured once! Now deal with it. Left without a corner and without money. Not for nothing I disliked your Emily from day one. What a vile one she turned out! Dishonorable and nasty! Well, I won’t leave it like that!»
«Yes, dishonorable,» Michael agreed. «And she promised me once…»
Evelyn Thompson looked at her son reproachfully, who sat at the table in her kitchen and ate dinner with appetite.
His wife had just kicked him out, and he was calm as a tank. How can one be so careless and unruffled when your life is collapsing?
«Mom, why are you looking at me like that? Tell me, who turned me against my wife. Who tried to hook me up with Angela after so many years? And now say we’re not guilty!» Michael said after chewing.
«And blame your mother for everything! Go ahead, son, don’t hold back! Say I wished you harm, not happiness!» Evelyn Thompson didn’t hold back emotions. They burst out, making her nervous.
Everything went wrong as planned. From the start, everything went wrong.
Now she recalled how three years ago, right on the day when Michael’s daughter turned three, this old story surfaced again. And got its continuation.
Then her son decided to drive his mother home after a small feast they held for Olivia’s birthday.
«Son, do you remember Angela?» the mother asked casually, gazing at the night windows of houses passing by the car.
«Angela? I remember. Why are you asking about her? She’s married, everything’s fine with her,» Michael was surprised, who had already forgotten about the girl he dated before meeting Emily…
«No, Mikey. Not everything’s fine with her. Actually, very bad. Her husband turned out a scoundrel, left her without a penny. Good thing they didn’t have kids yet,» Evelyn Thompson said in a sad voice. «She’s alone now, lives with her mother.»
«And how do you know all about her? Still talking to Antonia, her mother? Why, Mom? She used you fully back then. Starting again?» the son asked reproachfully.
«We never stopped talking. You know, I owe Antonia for life. If not for her, I’d be in jail for my debts.»
«You remembered that! When was that! Forget it. And stop talking to her. She’s a manipulator. And what a one! Keeps you on a short leash.»
«It’s not that easy, son…»
Evelyn Thompson mentally transported to events fifteen years ago. She worked as an accountant in a very shady private company then. At first, she was even glad to get into a firm paying twice as much as the state enterprise. But soon she understood why.
The woman had to turn a blind eye to many law violations by the boss. And not just silently watch, but sometimes sign documents herself that could lead her straight to prison.
And once they simply set her up, claiming she owed the firm a tidy sum. How she managed to get out dry, Evelyn still doesn’t understand. Yes, she had to find money to cover the debt.
And here Antonia enters the story. She was not a close acquaintance, just a neighbor they occasionally greeted. But when Evelyn Thompson asked her for help, she readily agreed to lend a substantial amount. Luckily, after her general husband’s death, she had plenty on accounts.
She grabbed poor Evelyn so tightly that she couldn’t live a day without the new friend. Antonia called her home every day. To help with chores, wash windows, go shopping or to the market for groceries. Or just chat, discuss some news. Evelyn always went obediently, knowing only this person would wait as long as needed for the debtor to pay fully.
«I’m not rushing you, Eve. Pay little by little. I understand, you have two sons, and your husband brings nothing home. Where to get money? But I wouldn’t tolerate such beside me. Kick him out!» Antonia advised, watching Evelyn mop floors in her big apartment.
And in half a year, the husband indeed left her. Because he realized his wife was fully dependent on her domineering acquaintance. Or found another. One who was always home, beside her husband. Baked pies, cooked soups, and listened to him open-mouthed.
Once Evelyn invited Antonia with her daughter Angela to her birthday; the girl was already eighteen then…
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