“You’re a Monster, Mum! People Like You Shouldn’t Have Children!”
Emily kept her head buried in her books. One night, she went out with her friends to a club in London, where she met Daniela handsome bloke whose parents were away on a year-long work assignment abroad. She fell head over heels and moved in with him before long.
They lived large, funded by his parents allowance. Every night was either parties out or raves at home. At first, Emily loved the thrill. But before she knew it, she was drowning in debt, skipping lectures, and failing her winter exams. She was on the verge of getting kicked out of university.
She swore to turn things around and retake her exams. Buried in her studies, she locked herself in the loo whenever Daniels mates came over. She barely scraped through, but when she begged him to slow downbeing in his final year and allhe just shrugged.
“Dont be such a bore, Emily. You only live once. Youth doesnt last. If we dont have fun now, when will we?”
She was too ashamed to tell her mum she was living with him unmarried. Every call home was a lieclaiming theyd tied the knot and would throw a proper wedding once his parents returned.
Then one morning, Emily felt dizzy in class. Nausea hit her like a train. Horror struck when she realisedshe was pregnant. The test confirmed her worst fear.
Since it was early, Daniel pressured her to get rid of it. They fought like never before, and he vanished for two days. When he finally returned, he wasnt alonedragging along a drunk blonde who could barely stand. Exhausted, Emily screamed at him, shoving the girl toward the door.
“Shes not going anywhere. If you dont like it, *you* can leave, you nutter!” he snarled, shoving her hard.
She grabbed her coat and ran. Hours later, she stumbled to her old student halls. Mascara streaked, face swollen, she knocked, and the caretaker took pity, letting her in.
The next day, Daniel turned up, begging forgiveness, swearing hed never lay a hand on her again. For the babys sake, she believed him.
She barely passed her first year. The thought of going home terrified herwhat would her mum say? But staying in London wasnt safe either. Daniels parents were due back, and her baby bump was impossible to hide.
When they arrived and learned Emily was from up North and had barely scraped into second year, his father cornered her. He shoved cash at her, telling her to leave his son alone.
“Thinkwhat kind of father would he be? All he cares about is partying. And whos to say its even his? Take the money and go home. Trust me, its for the best.”
Humiliated, Emily refusedthough shed regret it later. Daniel stayed silent. She packed her bags and returned to her mum.
The moment her mum saw her belly at the doorstep, she knew.
“So, youre back alone? Clearly no wedding. The London boy had his fun and kicked you out? Did he at least give you money?”
“Mum, how can you? I dont want his money.”
“Then why come here? We barely fit in this flat as it is. I thought youd landed on your feetmarried to a London lad, living the high life. Instead, youre knocked up. Where are we supposed to put a baby? And whos ‘we’?”
Emily froze.
“While you were gone, I found a boyfriend. Im still youngI deserve happiness too. I raised you alone, never thinking of myself. Now its my turn. Hes younger. I wont have him eyeing you up.”
“Where am I supposed to go, Mum? The babys due soon,” she whispered, fighting tears.
“Go back to the father. Let *him* take care of you.”
Her mums stare was ice. Gripping her suitcase, Emily left.
On a park bench, she sobbed. Where could she go? If her own mother didnt want her, who would? For a second, she thought of stepping in front of a caruntil the baby kicked, as if sensing danger.
“Emily?” A familiar voice cut through her despair. It was Sophie, an old school friend. Seeing her state, Sophie took her in.
“Stay with me. My parents are in the countryside till autumn. Well figure it out.”
With no choice, Emily agreed.
Sophie worked at a hospital. Days later, she rushed inan elderly woman needed a live-in carer. Her daughter refused to take her.
“I didnt mention the baby. Come on, its your shot.”
Emily hesitatedhow could she care for an old woman *and* a newborn? But she was desperate.
The daughter, a snooty woman, agreedbut unpaid. “Youll get her pension for expenses. But the house is *mine*dont get ideas.”
So Emily moved in with Mrs. Wilkins, pouring her heart out as she cared for her. When little Matilda was born, the old woman even helped soothe her.
Years passed. Matilda took her first steps, but Mrs. Wilkins grew weaker. When she died, her daughter swooped injust for the funeral.
“I warned youthis isnt yours.”
While sorting papers, they found a will: the flat was Emilys. The daughter threatened court, but neighbours testified to Emilys care.
With a stable home, Emily raised Matilda. Years later, her mum reappearedclaiming she was ill, having sold her flat for treatment. Pity won, and Emily took her in.
Until one day, she overheard her on the phone: “Shes not listening Im saving rent money Ill be there soon”
It was all lies. Her mum had never sold the flatjust rented it out to fund her boyfriend.
“Mum! Youre a monster! Lying to me again!”
“Wait, its not what you”
“I dont care. Get out of my house.”
Sophie tried calming her: “You dont pick family. She messed up, but shes still your mum.”
Emily relentedbut her mum had already fled. Years later, when she fell truly ill, Emily nursed her till the end.
Hate only breeds more hate. If a mother cant love her daughter, what love can she expect in return? But in the end, the daughter chose kindnessbecause someone had to break the cycle.
