Valerie sat on a chilly bench outside a notary’s office in downtown Springfield, Illinois, her head bowed low. Her fingers nervously tugged at the frayed strap of her old purse, and a knot tightened in her chest. She couldn’t shake the feeling that coming here was a mistake. Deep down, she knew that even if her mother-in-law had left something for her grandson, her husband, Ethan, would swoop in and claim it. Ethan was head over heels for his new girlfriend, Sophia, and had completely erased his own son from his life. Worse, he’d stuck Valerie with a crushing mortgage for a condo in a shiny new development.
It all felt so unfair, like a bad twist of fate. That condo on Springfield’s outskirts was supposed to be their dream home, a fresh start for their family. Now, it was Ethan and Sophia’s playground, while Valerie scrambled to cover the loan payments. She could’ve fought back, maybe called the police, but Ethan and Sophia had cornered her with a chilling threat:
— If you care about your kid, get out, or we’ll make your life a living hell.
Valerie knew Ethan meant it—three years of marriage had shown her his true colors. Her mother-in-law, Helen Carter, had always pitied her.
— Sweetie, why’d you marry him? You’ve thrown your life away, Helen would whisper, brushing away tears when Ethan wasn’t around.
Helen helped in secret, slipping Valerie money or watching the baby so Ethan wouldn’t suspect anything. Ethan had taken over the family business—a cozy shop in Springfield that crafted custom quilts and embroidered gifts. He’d sidelined his mother from running it, but Helen refused to hand over the deed, no matter how hard he pushed. One afternoon, Valerie overheard them bickering in the shop’s cluttered backroom.
— Mom, why mess with all these taxes? I’m handling everything already! Ethan argued.
— Don’t start, Ethan. This shop’s my lifeline so I don’t end up homeless, Helen snapped.
— What, you think I’d toss you out? he said, acting hurt.
— You know I’m right. You’ll get it all when I’m gone, she said, her voice firm.