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Whispered Viktor in the Kitchen: ‘Mum… I’ve Been Meaning to Tell You This for a Long Time.’
“Mum,” began Victor quietly when they were alone in the kitchen, “Ive been meaning to talk to you about something for a while.”
Katherine glanced up, taken aback. Her son-in-law wasnt usually one for private chats.
“What is it, Victor?” she asked carefully, drying a teacup.
He paused, then spoke slowly. “Ive noticedyoure always living for others. For Emily, for little Sophie and in all that, you forget yourself. Youre still young, fifty-onehardly ancient. But you walk around like lifes already over. It shouldnt be like this.”
Katherine forced a bitter smile. “Oh, Victor, come now. My husband left me for a younger woman. I lost my job. What else is there for me but being Granny?”
Victor shook his head firmly. “I dont see it that way. Youre strong, clever, lovely. And I want you to knowyoure not alone.”
Her heart clenched. There was a warmth in his eyes that startled her.
“Victor,” she murmured, flustered. “What exactly are you saying?”
He stepped closer but stopped himself just as quickly. “You dont have to say anything. Just remembertheres someone who truly values you.”
Katherine fell silent. His words echoed in her mind all night.
The weeks rolled on as usual: nursery runs, pharmacy trips, endless chores. But Victors words lingered. He never brought it up again, yet she caught herself seeking his gaze more often than shed admit.
One afternoon, while dropping Sophie home, she bumped into Edwardher exstrolling arm-in-arm with Olivia. Edward looked weary, older.
“Hello,” he said flatly. “How are you?”
“Getting on,” Katherine replied calmly. “No complaints.”
Olivia eyed her up and down before quipping, “Still so plain.”
Katherine only smiled. For the first time, she felt no need to prove anything. Her strength wasnt in dresses or lipstick.
Soon after, an old university friend rang with a job offerteaching at a technical college. After some thought, Katherine accepted.
The work revived her. Lectures, marking, guiding studentsshe felt alive again. The students respected her, and for the first time in years, she didnt feel invisible.
One evening, as she headed home, Victor waited outside, clutching a small bunch of wildflowers.
“These are for you,” he said awkwardly. “Just because.”
Her heart leapt.
“Victor, you know this isnt right,” she whispered.
“Whats not right is denying your heart,” he said firmly. “You deserve happiness.”
Katherine blinked back tears. She took the flowers, muttered “Thank you,” then hurried upstairs.
That night, sleep evaded her. She knew she couldnt take what belonged to her daughter. And yetfor the first time in yearsher heart felt awake. Capable of love.
By morning, shed made up her mind. She gathered Emily and Victor at the table.
“My dears,” she began slowly, “Im grateful for both of you, but things are going to change. Im living for myself now. Not just as Granny, carrying everyones burdens. Ive got a new job, Im redecorating, and Ive decidedIm going away. To see the sea, like Ive always dreamed.”
Emily gaped. “Mum youve never mentioned this.”
“Nows the time,” Katherine said firmly. “Dont worry, Ill always be here for youbut not at the cost of myself.”
Victor stayed quiet, but his eyes spoke volumes: respect, admiration, warmth.
Months later, Katherine was transformed. New clothes, a language course, even picking up her old passionpainting.
At her next birthday gathering, it wasnt a broken, lonely woman at the table, but a radiant one who believed in herself again.
“To Mum!” Emily cheered, pouring champagne. “To the woman who finally learned to love herself.”
Glasses clinked, laughter filled the room. And Katherine, smiling to herself, thought: “Yes. Now my life truly begins.”
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