“Mom Gave the House to My Ex-Wife for the Sake of the Kids”

Karen sat on the worn-out couch in her small apartment, staring at the ceiling. She couldn’t believe what her mother had done. “Mom gave the house to my ex-wife for the sake of the kids,” she muttered to herself, still in shock. It was a decision that had turned her world upside down.

Karen’s mother, Linda, had always been a compassionate woman. She had a soft spot for her grandchildren, and it was evident in everything she did. But this time, Linda’s compassion had gone too far, at least in Karen’s eyes.

Karen’s ex-husband, Mike, had left her two years ago. Their marriage had crumbled under the weight of constant arguments and financial struggles. The divorce had been messy, and Karen had fought tooth and nail to keep custody of their two children, Emily and Jake. In the end, she had won, but it had come at a great cost.

Linda had been a pillar of support during those difficult times. She had offered Karen and the kids a place to stay in her spacious suburban home until they could get back on their feet. It was a temporary arrangement, or so Karen thought.

One evening, as Karen was preparing dinner for her children, Linda dropped a bombshell. “I’ve decided to give the house to Mike’s ex-wife, Sarah,” she said, her voice trembling with emotion.

Karen’s jaw dropped. “What? Why would you do that?”

Linda sighed deeply. “Sarah is struggling, Karen. She has nowhere else to go, and the kids need a stable home.”

“But what about us?” Karen protested. “We need stability too!”

Linda’s eyes filled with tears. “I know, sweetheart, but you have a job now, and you’re managing. Sarah doesn’t have anyone else to turn to.”

Karen couldn’t believe what she was hearing. Her mother was choosing her ex-husband’s new wife over her own daughter and grandchildren. It felt like a betrayal of the highest order.

Days turned into weeks, and Karen’s anger festered. She couldn’t bring herself to forgive her mother for what she saw as an unforgivable act of favoritism. The tension between them grew unbearable.

Meanwhile, Sarah moved into Linda’s house with her two children from a previous marriage. Karen couldn’t help but feel a pang of jealousy every time she saw them playing in the backyard that used to be hers.

Karen’s own apartment was cramped and barely big enough for her and her kids. She worked long hours at a low-paying job just to make ends meet. The stress was taking its toll on her health and her relationship with Emily and Jake.

One evening, as Karen was tucking her children into bed, Emily asked, “Mommy, why can’t we live with Grandma anymore?”

Karen’s heart broke as she tried to find the right words. “Grandma wanted to help someone else who needed it more,” she said softly.

“But we need help too,” Jake chimed in.

Karen hugged them tightly, fighting back tears. “I know, sweethearts. I know.”

As the months passed, Karen’s resentment towards her mother grew stronger. She couldn’t shake the feeling of betrayal and abandonment. Her relationship with Linda deteriorated to the point where they barely spoke.

One day, Karen received a call from Sarah. “I just wanted to thank you,” Sarah said hesitantly.

“For what?” Karen replied coldly.

“For letting us stay in your mom’s house,” Sarah said. “I know it must have been hard for you.”

Karen clenched her fists. “You have no idea.”

Sarah sighed. “I understand if you’re angry, but please know that I’m doing my best to take care of the kids.”

Karen hung up the phone without another word. She couldn’t bear to hear any more.

In the end, Karen’s life remained a constant struggle. She never fully forgave her mother for what she saw as an unforgivable betrayal. The wounds ran deep, and the scars never truly healed.