Father Abandons Family for Another Woman When His Daughter Was Just Four Years Old

The father walked out on his family for another woman when little Emily was just four. It happened right after New Years Dayon the doorstep, he muttered “sorry” to his daughter before shutting the front door behind him. Her mother took it all in stride, as if it were some unavoidable fact of life. In her family, no woman had ever managed a lasting marriage. But a few weeks later, late one evening, she swallowed every diazepam and paracetamol pill in the house and drifted off forever.

The next morning, Emily tried everything to wake her mothershaking her, shouting, pleading. Eventually, she gave up and rummaged through the fridge for a makeshift breakfast before trying again. Exhausted, she curled up beside her mother and fell asleep, clinging tight.

January days pass quickly, and dusk had already settled when the girl opened her eyes. The cold startled her awake. She tugged the blanket closer and pressed against her mothers body, but that only made her shiver harder. Thats when Emily realised the unbearable chill was coming from her mum. Hot tears scorched her cheeks.

Then, the front door creaked open. Emily bolted like a whirlwindit was Aunt Charlotte, her mothers younger sister.

“Emily, love, youre here! Wheres your mum? Ive been calling all daywhy hasnt she picked up? Im worried sick!”

Emily grabbed Charlottes coat, yanking her forward. She pointed frantically toward the bedroom, her face twisted in silent agony. Her mouth moved, tears and snot streaming, but no sound came out.

Charlotte had never been able to have children, so her husband left her after five years of marriage. Since she had none of her own, she poured all her love into her niece, acting as a second mother. So when tragedy struck, Charlotte handled the paperwork to become Emilys guardian without hesitation. For three years, she showered the girl with care, but no therapy or treatment could bring her voice back.

That winter, the cold arrived with St. Swithins Day, bringing proper, crunchy snow. Emily and her friends spent the entire day sledging in Hyde Park, building a whole snowman family, rolling around, and making snow angels.

“Time to go home, love. Your clothes are frozen stiff, and your gloves are little ice blocks. Come onwell pop into Tesco for milk and pasta,” Charlotte urged.

People bustled in and out of the supermarket, but a ginger cat sat perfectly still by the entrance, looking wise beyond its years, eyes half-lidded as if it couldnt be bothered with the world. Its front paws shifted just slightly from the cold. Emily crouched beside it and waved Charlotte off, signalling shed wait outside.

“Fine, Ill be quickbut dont move from this spot!”

The girl stroked the cat gently, and it arched its back in delight, purring loudly. Emily hugged its neck, pressing her face into its fur. Then, without warning, hot tears spilled down her cheeksand the cat began licking them away, sneezing before going in for another lick.

“Ugh, thats disgusting! Hes a filthy stray,” Charlotte scolded, grabbing Emilys hand and dragging her toward the car. The girl fought back, but Charlotte bundled her into the back seat and slid behind the wheel.

The cat followed, meowing pitifully at the car window.

“I cant leave him. Hes mine now,” Emily whispered, tracing her tears on the glass.

“Waitdid you just *speak*? Say it again, love, please!” Charlottes voice trembled.

“We cant leave him! Hell die without me!” Emily shouted, clear as day.

Charlotte leapt out, scooped up the cat, and plopped into the back seat beside her niece. The startled ginger dug its claws into her coat but, spotting Emily, immediately settled into her lap, curling up as if it had always belonged there.

“You wanted a cat? You only had to ask, love. Id have got you one ages ago,” Charlotte laughed, her eyes shining.