January 2026 – Page 74

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Twice a Surrogate Mum: How My Daughters and I Finally Found Everything We Needed for a Happy Life

I became a surrogate twice: now my daughters and I have everything we need to live well I gave birth

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Why Did I Trade My Wife for Another Woman?

Why Did I Swap My Wife for Another Woman? Once again, I had to wash the dishes. Theyd been piling up

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I’ll Take Him Home: “Mum, look, it’s that girl!” “Which girl? What are you talking about, Alice?” “The one whose mother visits Dad. Remember I told you?” Karina turned to the children in the sandpit, her heart clenching and then plunging. But she let nothing show, mustering up a smile for her daughter. “Sweetheart, so what? Dad has lots of clients, he’s an artist…” “Yes, but that girl said she’s going to take our dad away!” Alice whimpered. Karina crouched down to Alice’s level. “No one’s taking our dad, darling! Let’s go talk to her and find out why she’s saying those things. Alright?” “Alright!” “Show me which one she is, OK?” Alice pointed at an older girl in a blue jacket, standing a bit apart from the other children. “Hello there!” Karina sat on the edge of the sandpit and smiled warmly. “What’s your name, sweetheart?” “I’m not your sweetheart! What do you want? I’ll call my mum!” “Don’t worry, I just want to chat. Just like grown-ups, face to face. You understand?” The girl glanced away, fidgeted, and then nodded. “Dolly. My name’s Dolly.” “Dolly? That’s a unique name!” “Everyone says that… What do you want?” “Alice gets upset after talking with you. Can you tell me what you talk about? Maybe she misunderstood something.” “Oh, I’ll tell you!” the girl shouted. “My mum’s going to take your husband soon! I’ll have a dad and your Alice won’t! We’ll all live happily ever after together, and you’ll be crying all alone! Got it?!” Karina froze as everyone turned to stare, embarrassment washing over her. “Dolly, why would you say that?” “Because your husband loves my mum! And she loves him!” All composure left Karina. “She has no reason to lie, has she? Oh Tim… how did I miss this?” Fumbling for composure, Karina stood to leave but stopped. “I understand, Dolly. Sorry for bothering you.” Back home, Alice pleaded, “Mum, our dad’s not leaving, is he? You’re not crying, are you? Mummy…” Karina brushed the tears away, “No, darling. It’s just the wind in my eye.” “You are crying! So dad is leaving! She’s right, isn’t she? Tell me!” Alice burst into tears and ran off, with Karina wiping her face, mascara smudged, chasing after her… *** “I hate painting in the studio!” Tim, a man in his forties, shrugged off his blazer. “At home it’s different, I feel so energised in my own space.” Karina dropped the plate she was drying, smashing it in the sink. “Karina, are you alright? Did you cut yourself?” “It’s fine…” She tried to smile but couldn’t meet his eyes. “Sorry, I’m just tired. Had a tough day with the kids and there are clients tomorrow, too.” “Who’s coming?” “That woman from abroad. The one whose portrait I’m painting.” “The one with long blonde hair and a perfect figure?” Tim stared, surprised. Karina tried to control her voice, but her tone gave her away. “I’ve no idea what figure she has! I’m painting her face. Yes, her hair’s fair, I think. Doesn’t matter—she pays well, doesn’t talk much, doesn’t tire me out. She’s rather passive.” “Passive?” Karina murmured. “Yes, seems depressed. Once asked to stop so she could take some pills. Looked up the name, prescription-only.” “But you said you knew nothing about her.” “Just got curious, was all.” He hugged her tightly from behind. “Don’t worry about us not spending much time together… Once I finish this portrait, we’ll take a holiday.” “Promise?” Karina whispered, relaxing into his embrace. “Promise. My stubborn, suspicious Karina—I love you,” Tim said, squeezing her closer… The next day, Karina stayed home just to see the woman Tim was painting. When the doorbell rang, her heart raced. “Get a grip, Karina,” she thought, opening the door. “Hello! I’m Karina, Tim’s wife. Come in!” The client nodded and stepped inside. Karina turned to close the door, only to see a small girl—Dolly—from the playground. “She’ll sit very quietly. Won’t be a bother, right, Dolly?” the mother said. Dolly nodded, but didn’t look at her mum. The woman removed her coat, moving right past Karina into Tim’s studio as if she owned the place. “So, Dolly, shall we introduce ourselves again? Are you hungry? Take off your coat, I’ll make some tea.” Dolly sat silently on the shoe bench, eyes on the floor. “It’s so warm! Shall I help you?” Karina offered, crouching beside her and gently placing a hand on Dolly’s shoulder. “Is something wrong, Dolly? Did something happen?” Silence. But as Karina met her eyes, she saw they brimmed with tears. “I’m sorry,” Dolly whispered. “I lied to you.” “Dolly, darling, what do you mean?” “No one’s taking your husband. I just… I just wanted a dad, too…” Dolly began to cry, her tiny voice shaking before dissolving into sobs. “My mum’s always sick. She named me after her pain—Dolores means grief, sadness… She’s never happy. And Mr Tim gave me food, showed me his paints… I saw him play with Alice at the park. I’m always alone. Always!” Karina embraced the sobbing girl, her own heart breaking. “Poor child… If she opened up so quickly, maybe she feels safe here. What’s become of this world?” Karina thought, holding little Dolores close.

Ill take him Mum, that girl over there! Which girl? Whats on your mind, Emily? The one whose mum comes

Living Together Isn’t Just Sharing a Kitchen and Bathroom: It’s About Respect, Generations, Gratitude—And Why a Family Should Never Be Torn Apart Over Two Eggs, a Quarrel, or a Pie

But living together isnt just about sharing a kitchen and a bathroom. Its about respect. Its realising

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He Lied, and She Let Him: When Forgiveness Turns Into a Pattern – The Story of Marianne, Igors, and Their Illusive “Perfect British Family” with Betrayal, Second Chances, and Finding Herself After Forty

He Lied, and She Let Him How many times have we heard that temptation is never far away, eager to test

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A Child Used as a Bargaining Chip: When a Parent’s Manipulation Threatens to Destroy Family Bonds

A Child as a Bargaining Chip Shes forbidden me from seeing Lily again. Can you imagine? James flung his

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Husband Ruins Mother and Newborn Son’s Hospital Discharge, Leaving Family Waiting and House in Chaos

My sister recently gave birth to a little boy. We went round to my sisters house to see her and her new baby.

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No, Sister, You’re the One With Problems—That Flat Isn’t Yours! My Mum’s Sister Never Had Kids But Owned A Lovely Three-Bedroom Flat In The City Centre And Serious Health Issues; Her Husband Was A Collector, So My Aunt’s Home Was Like A Museum My Younger Sister, Lydia, Has A Lazy Husband And Two Children—They Rent A Single Room In Student Housing. When She Heard About Our Aunt’s Illness, She Rushed Over To Complain About Her Hard Life. But Our Aunt Is Hard-Edged, And For Years She Invited Me And My Husband To Move In, Promising Us Her Flat—I Refused, Since We Had Our Own Home, Though We Always Helped With Groceries, Medicine, And Housework Out Of Duty, Not Greed. After Visiting Our Aunt, Lydia And Her Family Moved In Within Days. I’ve Never Gotten On With My Sister Because She’s Always Been Jealous: I Have A Loving, Hard-working Husband, A Wonderful Son, A Great Job, A Good Salary, And My Own Flat. Lydia Only Calls Me When She Wants To Borrow Money—but She Always “Forgets” To Pay It Back. When I Fell Pregnant With My Second Child, I Had Less Time For My Aunt, Though My Husband Kept Bringing Her Treats. Once Our Baby Was Six Months Old, I Finally Went To Visit. Approaching The Door, I Overheard My Distraught Younger Sister Yelling: —Until You Sign Over This Flat, You’re Not Getting Fed—Crawl Back Inside, And I Don’t Want You Out Of The Doghouse Tonight! When I Knocked, Lydia Tried To Refuse Me Entry, Snapping, “Don’t Even Dream Of Coming In—You’re Not Getting This Flat!” Only When I Threatened To Call The Police Was I Allowed Inside; I Found Our Aunt Aged Beyond Her Years, Now Crying On Seeing Me. —Why Are You Crying? Go On, Tell Her How Well You’re Living With Us—And Complain That She Didn’t Even Bother Bringing Her New Baby! Lydia Sneered. Her Bedroom Had Been Stripped Bare, The Collections Gone, And Even Her Jewellery And Wardrobe Were Missing—I Realised Lydia And Her Husband Were Living Off What They Could Sell From The Flat. Feigning A Trip To The Bathroom, I Texted My Husband To Come Rescue Our Aunt. Back In The Lounge, I Kept My Aunt Distracted, Squeezing Her Hand In Secret Solidarity. Lydia Tried To Shove Me Out, And Her Husband Kept Asking If My Baby Missed Me. My Husband Arrived An Hour Later—With A Local Police Officer. Lydia Dragged Her Feet Letting Us In, Until I Explained My Husband Was Simply Collecting Us. The Policewoman Was A Shock For Lydia And Her Husband; I Showed Her Our Aunt, Explaining That They’d Sold Off The Furniture, Gold And Collections, And Weren’t Even Feeding Her. Crushed By Lydia’s Shrieking, The Policewoman Asked Our Aunt If She Wanted To Make A Statement. Lydia Ended Up With A Light Sentence, But Her Husband Got Two Years In Prison. Mum Took Lydia And Her Kids In—Though She’d Thrown Her Out Years Before. She Was Angry About The Police Issue And Told Me I’d Never Inherit—But In Gratitude, Our Aunt Left Me Her Flat As Thanks For Saving Her. Now My Husband And I Visit Like Before, And We’ve Hired A Nurse For Our Aunt. I Can’t Imagine What She Endured Living With Lydia!

Well, little sister, its you whos in trouble, not meits not even your flat. Mums sister, Aunt Judith

“I Sold My House for My Children—and Was Left With Nothing”: The Heartbreaking Confession of a British Mother Robbed of Her Right to Rest

17th MarchI always believed family would be my havenmy safety net once old age crept in. I thought my

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I Can’t Understand How I Raised My Children This Way: After My Husband’s Death, I’m Left Lonely, Struggling for Money, and My Grown Son and Daughter Just Turn a Blind Eye

I have absolutely no idea how I managed to raise my children this way A year ago, I found myself suddenly