Alice can’t believe her husband Jake has left her and their newborn Lily because he claims their baby is “too loud.” Alone and overwhelmed, Alice turns to his mother for help, determined to show Jake the consequences of his selfishness. With Barbara’s support, Alice plans to make him regret his decision. What is she and Barbara going to do?
I held Lily close, her warm breath a gentle caress against my chest. The living room was shrouded in silence, save for the rhythmic creak of my rocking chair.
A mother rocking her baby to sleep | Source: Midjourney
My mind raced with all the tasks still waiting for me. I was exhausted from washing dishes, yet I cherished these quiet moments with my baby girl. I knew I had to make time to rock her to sleep.
Lily had been with us for just a few weeks. Those weeks were a blur of beautiful chaos and relentless fatigue.
A mother with her baby | Source: Pexels
My days revolved around caring for Lily — feeding her, changing diapers, and trying to keep our home in order. Sleep was a rare luxury, yet every moment with her filled me with gratitude.
At the same time, Jake seemed distant, almost like a shadow in his own home. Even when he was physically present, his mind seemed elsewhere, struggling with the new realities of fatherhood.
A man busy working while his wife looks after their newborn | Source: Pexels
As I held Lily closer, I noticed Jake at the bedroom door, hurriedly packing his clothes into a bag.
“Jake, what are you doing?” I asked, confused.
A man packing his luggage | Source: Midjourney
“I’m going to stay at Mike’s place for a few weeks,” he replied without looking up.
A knot formed in my stomach. “What? Why?”
A shocked woman | Source: Midjourney
Jake zipped up his bag and finally looked at me. “The baby is too loud. I need time to relax from this mess, Alice! When I come back, you better figure out how to make this place livable again!”
His words felt like a punch. “Jake, you can’t just leave. We have a baby! We need you here!” I said.
A couple arguing at home | Source: Pexels
He shrugged, slinging the backpack over his shoulder. “I can’t handle this right now, Alice. I just need some space.”
Tears welled up in my eyes as a plea escaped my lips. “Jake, please, don’t leave us. We need to face this as a family.”
But he shook his head, his expression void of any remorse. “I’ll be back in a few weeks. Just… figure it out,” he said coldly, leaving me shattered by his indifference.
A stern man showing no remorse | Source: Pexels
I looked down at Lily, her tiny face peaceful and unaware of what was happening.
A tear rolled down my cheek as I held her closer, feeling both sad and angry. I knew I had to be strong for her, but at that moment, I felt so alone.
A worried woman with a baby | Source: Freepik
Jake’s departure left me in shock. How could he just walk away like that? His help had always been minimal, but this abandonment was crushing.
In desperation, I reached for the phone. Help was essential, and there was only one person I could think to call: Jake’s mother, Barbara. We had initially wanted privacy after Lily’s birth, but now, more than ever, I needed support.
A senior woman | Source: Midjourney
My hands shook as I dialed her number.
Barbara answered after a few rings, her voice cheerful as always. “Hello, Alice! How are you and my sweet granddaughter?”
“Hi, Barbara,” I said, my voice trembling. “I’m sorry to call you out of the blue, but I really need your help.”
A serious woman with short hair on a call | Source: Midjourney
Barbara’s tone instantly changed, becoming more serious. “What’s wrong, dear?”
“Jake just left. He said he needs time away and won’t be back for a few weeks. I’m overwhelmed with everything. Can you please come over?”
A deeply upset woman on a phone call | Source: Midjourney
There was a pause on the other end of the line. “Of course, Alice. I’ll be there as soon as I can.”
“Thank you, Barbara. I don’t know what else to do!” I replied desperately.
“Hang in there, Alice. We’ll figure this out together,” she consoled me.
A senior woman dressed smartly and talking on a phone | Source: Pexels
I hung up the phone, feeling a small glimmer of hope. Help was on the way. I looked down at Lily, still peacefully sleeping in my arms.
I kissed her tiny forehead and whispered, “It’s going to be okay, sweetheart. We’ll get through this.”
A woman kissing her baby’s forehead | Source: Pexels
I walked over to the couch and sank down, taking deep breaths to calm my racing heart. As I waited, anxiety gnawed at me.
The thought of asking Barbara to stay felt overwhelming — how could I impose that on her? Yet, the daunting question lingered: how would I manage everything on my own? These worries swirled through my mind as I awaited her arrival.
A worried woman | Source: Pexels
I didn’t have any friends who could lend me a hand.
I needed to make a plan and find a way to manage everything on my own if I had to. But at least for tonight, I wouldn’t be alone. Barbara would be here soon, and together, we would figure out what to do next, I reasoned.
The sound of the doorbell broke my thoughts. I stood up, taking a deep breath before opening the door. There stood Barbara.
A young woman and senior woman looking into the mirror | Source: Pexels
I felt a rush of relief as I welcomed her in, knowing that I had made the right call.
“Alice, dear, how are you doing?” she asked, wrapping me in a tight hug.
The floodgates burst open, and I couldn’t control my tears any longer. “Oh, Barbara, it’s been incredibly tough,” I sobbed. “Jake has felt so distant, and now he’s simply walked out on us. He said he needed space and has gone to stay at Mike’s place.”
A sad woman | Source: Midjourney
Barbara listened, her face growing more serious with every word. I told her about the sleepless nights, the endless chores, and the hurtful words Jake had thrown at me.
She didn’t interrupt; just let me pour out all the pain and frustration I’d been holding in.
A woman in tears | Source: Midjourney
When I finally finished, Barbara’s expression was stern. “Where did he say he was going again?”
“Mike’s house,” I replied, wiping my tears.
A serious-looking older woman | Source: Midjourney
Without a moment’s hesitation, Barbara whipped out her phone. “This is completely unacceptable. He needs to be here, supporting you,” she said, her voice firm with resolve.
I watched, holding my breath, as she quickly dialed Jake’s number. It didn’t take long for him to pick up.
A senior woman on call | Source: Pexels
“Jake, this is your mother! I did not raise a man who acts like this! If you treat your family like strangers, I will do the same to you in my will! Get back home and take responsibility!” she said firmly.
I couldn’t hear Jake’s response, but Barbara’s words were enough. She was furious and determined to teach him a lesson.
As she hung up, she turned back to me, her face softening.
A smiling elderly woman | Source: Pexels
“Alice, you’re not alone in this. I’ll stay with you tonight and help with Lily. We’ll make a plan in the morning. If that loser doesn’t come home, I will make sure he regrets walking out on his beautiful family for the rest of his goddamn life!”
I nodded, feeling a mix of relief and gratitude. “Thank you, Barbara. I didn’t know what else to do.”
A close up shot of a young woman | Source: Midjourney
She smiled gently. “We’ll get through this together, Alice. You’re doing a great job. Don’t let Jake’s actions make you think otherwise.”
We spent the rest of the evening taking care of Lily and Barbara also fixed a nice dinner for me. She also took care of the dishes, ensuring I got to rest.
Meal on a table with a person standing nearby | Source: Pexels
The next morning, I sat in the living room with her, feeling both anxious and determined. Lily was in my arms, cooing softly, her tiny hands reaching for my face. I smiled down at her, feeling a bit of comfort in her innocent gaze.
Barbara reached over and stroked Lily’s cheek. “She’s beautiful, Alice. You’re doing a great job.”
A mother holding her baby | Source: Pexels
“Thank you,” I replied, my voice a little shaky. “I just hope Jake comes back today.”
Barbara gave my hand a reassuring squeeze. “We’ll face whatever comes together.”
Two people holding each other’s hands | Source: Unsplash
The minutes ticked by slowly. I glanced at the clock repeatedly, my stomach twisting with nerves. Would Jake actually come back? Or would he just leave us hanging again?
The uncertainty was eating at me.
Just when I was about to lose hope, the front door creaked open.
A person opening a door | Source: Pexels
I held my breath as Jake walked in, looking tired and disheveled. It was clear he hadn’t slept well the night before. He glanced at me, then at Barbara, who nodded silently.
I took a deep breath, bracing myself. “Jake, we need to talk,” I said.
A sad young woman | Source: Midjourney
He remained silent, his gaze fixed on me. I gathered my courage, my voice trembling slightly as I pressed on. “You can’t just walk away when things get challenging, Jake! We have a baby now! Lily needs both of her parents!”
Jake nodded slowly, his silence heavy in the air. Barbara stepped closer, placing a comforting hand on my shoulder. “We’re here to support you, Alice,” she said. “Remember, this is a team effort.”
A happy MIL and DIL | Source: Freepik
I looked at Barbara, a flicker of hope igniting within me. “Thank you, Barbara. Your help means so much to me,” I said, my voice filled with gratitude.
Jake finally broke his silence, his voice low and hesitant. “I know I need to do better.”
I met his gaze, firm and resolute. “This isn’t just about saying the right words, Jake,” I continued. “It’s about showing up every day and being present for your family. We need more than promises now.”
A worried-looking young woman | Source: Midjourney
Barbara rose, her eyes locking onto Jake’s with a fierce intensity. “Actions speak louder than words, Jake. Remember that,” she said.
I knew this was just the beginning. Whether Jake would truly step up remained to be seen, but one thing was clear: I wasn’t alone anymore. With Barbara’s unwavering support, I felt stronger.
Cradling Lily gently, I leaned in close and whispered to her, “We’re going to be okay, sweetheart. One day at a time.”
A sleeping newborn baby | Source: Pexels
What would you have done?
I Stumbled Upon a Contract in My Wife’s Car — Her Rich Father Had a Deal with Her Behind My Back
Firefighter Grant has always believed that love conquers all. Until he finds divorce papers in his wife’s car, tied to a deal with her ruthless father. Betrayal burns deep, but Meghan has something else up her sleeve… Soon, a high-stakes game begins, where love, loyalty, and revenge collide in a way no one sees coming.
I’ll be honest, I’ve never been the kind of guy who was happy sitting behind a desk and doing a boring job. I was never the kind of guy who wore a suit, other than for funerals or weddings.
I am a hands-on, grease-in-your-face kind of guy, who grew up in a family where hard work meant everything. And the one lesson we always had growing up was: you stood by your family no matter what.
A smiling firefighter | Source: Midjourney
That’s the only kind of life I know.
But then I met Meghan, and things got a bit twisted.
I’ll never forget the night we met. The guys and I were taking part in our usual chili cookoff. It wasn’t anything fancy, but it was what we loved to do on our quiet evenings.
Not that we were allowed to say the word “quiet.”
A pot of chili and a tray of garlic bread | Source: Midjourney
“Don’t even think about saying the ‘q’ word, Grant!” my partner, Phil, said as he squeezed a lemon.
“I wasn’t going to!” I exclaimed. “But I think you mentioning it counts. It’s on Phil, everyone!”
And just like that, our fire alarms went off, alerting us to a tragedy.
A smiling firefighter | Source: Midjourney
There was a fire in the apartment building just off the university campus. It was close to us, so being the closest fire station, we were the ones to save the day.
When we got to the apartment building, smoke was already pouring from the windows.
“Right, you all know what to do!” our captain shouted, giving us our orders.
Just when we thought we had everything under control, I heard a bark from inside the building.
An apartment building on fire | Source: Midjourney
“Got it, Grant?” Phil bellowed over the sound of the hose.
“Got it!” I said, already running into the building. I didn’t think. I just moved.
I made my way through the smoke and debris, following the anxious barks. I finally found the little guy. A terrified golden retriever, curled in a corner, whimpering, its fur singed at the edges. Scooping it up, I sprinted through the suffocating heat, barely making it out before the ceiling collapsed behind me.
A dog in an apartment | Source: Midjourney
“It’s okay, boy,” I said, holding onto him. “You’re safe now.”
The moment my boots hit the pavement, a woman ran straight toward me. Tear-streaked and panicked, she fell to her knees, wrapping her arms around the trembling dog.
And then, before I could even process it, she threw herself at me.
“Thank you!” she gasped. “Thank you for saving my baby!”
A firefighter, woman and a dog | Source: AmoMama
And that was Meghan.
“It was my apartment,” she said. “I started the fire. I put fries in the oven and was sitting on the couch waiting for the timer to go off. But I must have fallen asleep. I’m so sorry! Look at the mess I’ve made of everything. And I was so sure I lost this guy…”
Her voice trailed off as she reached down to hug the dog again.
Before I knew what I was doing, I invited her back to the firehouse.
The exterior of a firehouse | Source: Midjourney
“Listen, ma’am,” I said. “We’re almost done here. If you want, you can come back with us. We’ve got everything you and the little guy need. Until your family gets to you, I mean.”
Meghan smiled shyly and then nodded.
And that was the beginning of everything.
Meghan was everything I wasn’t. She was graceful and smart and born into a world of old money and quiet luxury. The complete opposite of me.
A woman standing on a sidewalk | Source: Midjourney
But somehow, Meghan still chose me.
Her father, though? Yeah, that man hated me from the get-go.
Paul wasn’t just rich. He was old-money rich. Like, the kind of man who could buy a politician with pocket change. When he saw me, he didn’t see a firefighter. He saw a stray dog that his daughter had dragged home. A charity case. Something that she would get bored of.
A close up of an older man | Source: Midjourney
The first time we met, he shook my hand like he was testing the grip of a wrench. He was always with the polite smiles, the fake pleasantries. But I knew what he thought about me.
“I’m sure Meghan will outgrow this fool,” I overheard him telling his wife, Miranda, once.
“Darling, don’t say that,” Miranda said. “Meghan seems happy. Really happy. I think this is real.”
“Over my dead body, Miranda!” he exclaimed.
An older woman | Source: Midjourney
But she loved me. Meghan loved me. And she made that clear.
For years, it was all that mattered. Life moved on. We got married. We built a life together. She worked in non-profit law, and I kept running into burning buildings.
Sometimes, I’d catch her staring off, looking like she had something on her mind. But whenever I asked, she’d just smile.
“Everything is fine, love. I’m just tired from drawing up contracts and looking through paperwork.”
A woman sitting on a couch | Source: Midjourney
Of course, I believed her.
Until the day I found the documents in her car.
I wasn’t snooping. I’d left my watch in the center console and was rummaging around when I saw the envelope. Thick, official-looking. Important.
My name wasn’t on it, but hers was.
Documents on a car seat | Source: Midjourney
I don’t know what made me open it. Call it instinct. Call it stupid. Call it whatever you’d like. But the moment I unfolded that contract, my stomach dropped.
It was paperwork for a mansion with at least twenty photographs attached. It was a beautiful and huge place with a lake view (!?). It was the kind of place that I couldn’t even dream of affording.
But the worst part?
The fine print on the last page, after the signed divorce papers.
The house would be Meghan’s… if she went through with a divorce.
A mansion overlooking a lake | Source: AmoMama
Oh, and she needed to provide proof of said divorce.
My hands shook as I reread the words. My throat closed up.
It had finally happened.
All the whispers, all the side glances, the disapproving nods from her family… they had gotten to her. Hadn’t they?
Meghan was leaving me.
A man sitting in a car | Source: Midjourney
I picked up my phone, fingers unsteady as I texted her.
Meg, I was looking for my watch in your car and I found some paperwork. I’m not judging. I just need to understand. If this is really what you want, then honey, I won’t stand in your way.
And then I waited.
By the time I got home, Meghan was already there, standing in the living room. She was pale and upset. Her hands were balled into fists at her sides.
“You really think I took the deal?” she asked.
A woman standing in a living room | Source: Midjourney
Her voice was steady, but there was a clear edge to it.
“Grant, seriously?” she added.
“What else am I supposed to think, Meghan?” I asked. “I saw the damn papers!”
She stepped closer to me. Her eyes were fierce.
“You only saw one part of the truth,” she said.
A man standing in a living room | Source: Midjourney
“What’s the other part? There’s more?” I asked, heart pounding.
She took a breath, reached into her pocket, and pulled out a small velvet box.
Inside was a man’s wedding ring.
“Will you marry me?” she asked.
I think my brain short-circuited in that moment.
“What?”
A ring in a box | Source: Midjourney
“Again,” she added, smirking.
I stared at my wife like she had lost her entire mind. But then, then she started explaining.
Paul wanted me gone. He always had. He made her an offer.
“I had to leave you and then get the house,” she said simply. “So I agreed. And I signed the papers. I played the game he wanted me to play.”
A woman standing in a living room | Source: Midjourney
But it turned out that she only played his game so that she could pull off this…
A plan. A trap. A web of white lies to lead to her, our, happiness.
The divorce went through. Legally, Meghan was no longer my wife.
Should I have questioned it? Sure. But I trusted her.
A smiling man | Source: Midjourney
That was step one. As for step two?
Meghan got full ownership of the mansion. Paul made sure that the contract technically kept the house under their family assets for a minimum of five years. He thought that it gave him control.
But what he didn’t expect… was that Meghan would transfer the property immediately.
The exterior of a mansion | Source: Midjourney
“Straight into a non-profit trust, Grant,” she said. “I knew exactly how to structure it. The second the house was in my name, I filed the paperwork. It is ironclad. Non-reversible. Even my father can’t fight it now.”
And step three?
Meghan sent Paul an invitation.
An envelope on a table | Source: Midjourney
Dear Dad,
I would love for you to join me this Saturday at my new home. It’s for a special charity event. It’s an opportunity to see how generosity can truly change lives.
Meghan
A close up of an older man | Source: Midjourney
The night of the event, Paul walked in smug as ever, expecting to toast to Meghan’s new life without me.
He had no idea.
The grand dining room was packed. There was live music, fresh flowers, champagne, and even a chocolate fountain.
Meghan took the microphone, poised and radiant as ever, and she smiled at her guests.
A woman standing in a dining room | Source: Midjourney
“Ladies and gentlemen,” she began. “Let me introduce the man of great heart and compassion. The man who made it all possible. My father, Paul!”
Applause erupted. Paul straightened his tie, smirking as he walked to the center.
And then Meghan twisted the knife.
An older man wearing a suit | Source: Midjourney
“It is thanks to my father’s generosity that we have officially established a foundation for fire victims in this mansion. It will serve as a refuge, providing emergency housing and support for those in need.”
Silence.
And then there was a ripple of applause.
Paul’s smile faltered. His nostrils flared as the realization dawned on him. But he couldn’t object, not in public. Not when people were applauding his kindness and generosity.
And then it was my turn.
A man standing in a lavish dining room | Source: Midjourney
I walked onto the makeshift stage and dropped to one knee. I held up that velvet box.
“Meghan,” I said. “Will you marry me, love?”
“Yes!” she announced to the room. “Of course, I will, Grant. A thousand times over.”
The room exploded in cheers and applause.
A smiling man | Source: Midjourney
She turned to the guests, gripping the mic.
“This is the love of my life,” she declared. “This man is a firefighter. He is the bravest, most honest, and most comforting man I’ve ever known. He is my joy and inspiration.”
Paul’s jaw tightened. His eyes burned with a silent rage. But he could do absolutely nothing.
Because… the mansion? The deal? It was all final.
An angry man | Source: Midjourney
Paul turned on his heel, signaled to Miranda to follow him, and stormed out.
I knew that this wasn’t over and that he would try to fight. He would try to reclaim control. But Meghan had played the long game.
And this time? He had already lost.
“I took the carrot,” she said. “But I didn’t eat it.”
A smiling woman | Source: Midjourney
“Come,” I said. “The minister is ready to marry us again.”
I pulled her into my arms, laughing. Relief, admiration, and love tangled up inside me.
I had so much to learn from this woman. And God, I had never been prouder to be her husband. Again.
A smiling man | Source: Midjourney
What would you have done?
If you’ve enjoyed this story, here’s another one for you |
Poppy thought her husband was cheating. The late nights. The locked phone. The earring in his car that wasn’t hers. But the truth is far worse. Someone tried to kill her. And William? The man she doubted? He’s wrapped up in the truth, too. Now, Poppy must uncover the truth before it’s too late.
This work is inspired by real events and people, but it has been fictionalized for creative purposes. Names, characters, and details have been changed to protect privacy and enhance the narrative. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental and not intended by the author.
The author and publisher make no claims to the accuracy of events or the portrayal of characters and are not liable for any misinterpretation. This story is provided “as is,” and any opinions expressed are those of the characters and do not reflect the views of the author or publisher.
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