– Your Mark is Still So Young. And Why Would He Want to Be Saddled with This Orphan? Best Hide All Your Valuables Now, Because Who Knows What She’s Thinking.

Victoria stood nervously in the doorway, clutching Marks hand tightly. There was fear in her eyes, and her legs quivered beneath her.

Mum, this is my friend Victoria, Mark announced, returning from another business trip.

Hed been away for a fortnight, and this time he wasnt coming home alone. Mark and his parents lived in a modest two-bedroom flat. So at night, Victoria would sleep in Marks room while he took a makeshift bed in the kitchen.

Where did you meet her? his mother asked curiously. All the young people these days are wearing flashy clothes and have piercings in their eyebrows.

Mum, I was fortunate. I met her in my university dormitory. She grew up in a childrens home, Mark replied.

The next morning, Marks sister dropped by to visit their mother.

Where are the young ones? she asked.

Theyve gone to the registry office to lodge their application, their mother answered.

Marks still so young. And whys he troubled himself with this girl from a childrens home? Best to keep an eye on your valuables, honestly, who knows what she has on her mind.

What are you going on about? Marks mother snapped.

I came from a childrens home myself. Do you think I turned out any different from anyone else? Marks father stepped in to defend Victoria.

Just wait, those genes will show themselves, the sister muttered.

Dont you dare speak about Victoria like that! the father shouted.

Marks parents believed he had every right to make his own choices in life.

They didnt meddle in his affairs. The young couple decided to live with Marks parents at first, but planned to get a place of their own soon. In all honesty, Victoria wasnt an ideal house guest, and Marks mother often felt ready to give up, but his father always stood by the girl.

Later, Mark mentioned that Victoria planned to attend university to study English literature. It turned out Mark would be the sole breadwinner for a while. Naturally, his mother was uneasy with this idea, but she held her tongue. She too believed that a degree was essential these days.

Eventually, the young couple moved into their own flat. Victoria took a part-time job as a teacher.

Marks mother worried about her son. She suggested that they move back in for a while, but Marks father respected their decision to build a life together.

One day, Marks aunt brought over two frying pans.

Look what Ive got. Ill sell you one if you like. You could give it to your children. Everyones struggling these days, and they could use all the help they get.

You know, my children are doing just fine. Victoria studies, keeps the flat tidy, and manages to cook too, Marks mother replied.

She gifted the frying pan to Victoria, instructing her to always use a wooden spoon so as not to scratch it.

A week passed. Marks mother visited the young couple, and found Victoria crying in the kitchen.

The cutlets have burnt, Victoria sobbed, I scrubbed the pan with wire wool. It was a present from you.

Oh, dont fret! her mother-in-law said, rushing to comfort her.

Mark discovered them both sat on the floor. At first he considered saying something, but then decided to leave them to it, knowing theyd sort things out on their own.

Eighteen years have passed since that time. Victoria worked her way up to become deputy headteacher. Over the years, she became a true daughter to her mother-in-law, though Marks aunt carried her envy for a lifetime.

Does it really matter where a person grew up, if their heart is honest and they are kind at their core? That, in the end, is what truly counts.