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Little Emily Couldn’t Understand Why Her Parents Didn’t Love Her
Little Emily could never understand why her parents didnt love her.
She annoyed her dad, and her mum seemed to go through the motions of caring for hermore concerned with keeping her husband happy than with Emily herself.
Her paternal grandmother, Margaret, would say that her dad worked hard, her mum worked too, all so Emily wouldnt want for anything. And then there were the household chores
The truth came out when Emily turned eight and overheard her parents arguing.
“Susan, youve oversalted the soup *again*!” her father bellowed. “You cant do a single thing right!”
“Michael, really? I tasted itit was fine!” her mother protested weakly.
“Everythings always fine with you! Couldnt even give me a son. My mates take the mickeysaying Im cursed with a useless wife!”
It was unlikely anyone actually mocked himhe was a stern man, a lorry driver whod seen plentybut the bitterness in his voice, the resentment toward his wife for giving him a daughter instead of a son, made Emilys stomach twist.
Now she understood why they sent her to Grandmas whenever Dad returned from a haulhe couldnt stand the sight of his “failure.”
Emily loved staying with Margaret. They did homework together, cooked, sewed little dresses Still, it hurt that her parents treated her like an afterthought.
Not long after that argument, Michael and Susan suddenly announced they were moving to London.
Said theyd grown stale in their little town, wanted a fresh startmaybe even a son this time. Of course, it was Dads decision, and Mum went along as usual.
The only problem? They didnt want Emily coming with them.
“Youll stay with Grandma for now,” her mother muttered, avoiding her eyes. “Well fetch you later.”
“Good! I dont *want* to go with you,” Emily shot back, her chest tight with hurt.
So what? Shed stay here with her loving grandmother, her friends, her favourite teachers.
Let her parents live how they pleasedshe wouldnt waste another thought on them!
Emily had just turned ten when Michael and Susan finally had their precious sonher little brother, Benjamin.
Her father announced it over video call, solemn as a newsreader. They hadnt visited once in all these yearsjust the odd phone call from Mum, the occasional “send my love” from Dad.
Occasionally, theyd transfer Margaret some money, but mostly, it was Grandma who provided for Emily.
A year later, out of nowhere, her mother declared Emily *had* to move in with them. She even came in person to collect her.
“Sweetheart,” she chirped, “well all be together now! Youll finally meet your baby brotheryoull be such friends!”
“I dont *want* to go,” Emily scowled. “Im happy with Grandma.”
“Dont be difficult! Youre old enough to help me now.”
“Susan, rein it in!” Margaret cut in. “If you think youre turning Emily into a free babysitter, think again!”
“Shes *my* daughterIll decide!” her mother snapped.
But Margaret wasnt backing down.
“Try it, and Ill report you for child abandonment. Youll lose parental rightssee how you like *that* shame!”
They argued further. Emily didnt hearGrandma hurried her off to the shopbut Mum never mentioned moving again. She left the next day.
Ten years passed without a word from them. Emily finished school, then college, and with the help of Margarets old friend, Geoffrey, landed a job as an accountant at a small firm.
She started dating a lorry driver named Dave, and they planned to marrybut the wedding was postponed when Margaret passed away.
Her parents showed up to the funeral, just the two of them. Benjamin was left with a neighbourno place for a boy at such a sad event.
Emily barely registered their presence. Shed loved her grandmother deeply, and the loss left her numb.
Maybe thats why she didnt immediately grasp what her father was saying at the wake.
“Well” He eyed the shabby flat. “Place has seen better days. Wont fetch much.”
“Michael” Her mother gave him a warning look. “Not now.”
“Why not? Best settle these things fast. Weve got to get backBenjamins alone.”
“Geoffrey, know any decent estate agents?” her father pressed. “Someone to handle the sale?”
“Sale?” Geoffrey frowned. “What exactly are you selling, Michael?”
“The *flat*, obviously. Benjaminll need his own place soon. Wont cover a London flat, but enough for a deposit. Well pay off the mortgage by the time hes eighteen.”
Emily stared blankly out the window, too drained to engage.
“Planning to toss your own daughter out, are you?” Geoffrey asked. “Wheres *she* to live?”
“Shes a grown woman! Let her get marriedher husband can house her.”
“Right” Geoffrey sighed. “Margaret always said you were a piece of work. Well, tough luck, Michael. Theres a willlegally binding. This flat belongs to Emily now.”
Her father fell silent.
“So she *conned* Grandma, did she?” he spat, finally noticing Emily. “Doesnt matter. Well contest it.”
“Margaret anticipated that too. Think carefully, Michael. I wont let you bully her.”
It took him one day of legal consultations to realise the law was on Emilys side. He *could* fightbut itd cost a fortune with no guarantees.
“Emily, wheres your *conscience*?” he tried instead. “Youll marryyour husband will provide. Benjamin *needs* thishes the man of the family! Just give up the flat!”
“Not a chance.”
“Fine. Well *buy* you out. Fifty grandenough for a deposit, take out a mortgage”
“No. And I dont want to speak to you again.”
“Why, you!”
“Leave, or Ill call the police. See how fast they haul you out.”
Shed honour Margarets wishesthe woman whod actually cared for her. And she *wasnt* ending up homeless.
Her father hated the police, always avoided them. So he and her mother left, vanishing for four more years.
By then, Emily and Dave had married, welcoming a daughter, Lily. Money was tight, but they were happy until her mother called.
“This is *your* fault!” she shrieked down the line. “If you hadnt clung to that blasted flat, your father wouldnt have overworkedwouldnt have taken that last haul! Hed still be *alive*!”
“Youre not thinking straight. Need help with the funeral?” Emily asked quietly.
She pitied Michaelbut as she would a stranger, not a father.
“I need *nothing* from you! Benjamins an orphan now, thanks to you. Live with *that*!” Her mother slammed the phone down.
“Emily you know none of this is your fault?” Dave asked, seeing her pale.
“But what if?”
“*No.* They abandoned you years ago. Dont let them guilt you now.”
“Youre right” she sighed.
A year later, her mother reappeared unannouncedolder, lips pressed thin, barely meeting Emilys eyes as she made new demands.
“Benjamin needs money for university. Hes your *brother*, in case youve forgotten,” she said coldly. “He wont get in on grades aloneyou *owe* us.”
“Stop. Im not to blame, and you know it.”
“Margarets upbringing really took, didnt it?” her mother sneered. “She always hated meraised you the same.”
“Say one more word against her, and Ill throw you out myself. And no, youre *not* getting a penny.”
“Oh, spare me! Ive seen how you live.”
They *had* recently renovatedsaved for two years, took loansbut Emily didnt justify herself. Why should she?
“Couldve at least asked about your *granddaughter*.”
“Shes got two parentsshes fine. *We* have no one!”
“Enough. The answers no.”
A flicker of old hurt stungher parents had never spared a thought for *her* future.
“Fine.” Her mother turned to leave. “Youll regret this.”
That evening, Emily told Dave.
“What can she *possibly* do?” he asked. “Weve got no money to give.”
“I dont know but shes got a plan. She wouldnt have come otherwise.”
A week later, Emily got her answera court summons.
“Youre *suing* me?” she asked flatly when her mother called.
“Im making you
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