From Helping Hand to Heartbreak: The Shocking Turn After I Took in a Homeless Woman — Story of the Day

‘Homeless and Hungry’: The Sign Held by a Homeless Woman I Took In, Only to Be Kicked Out of My Own Home the Same Day — Story of the Day

I had no idea who the homeless woman was, but I believed I was saving her. My husband’s face went white when he noticed her sitting in our kitchen. Then he muttered a word that made all the difference: Mom?

My chest felt heavy when I woke up. It was the heavy, oppressive tension that never left our house that was causing me to feel this way, not simply the pregnancy. Carter was already awake and pacing the bedroom impatiently and sharply beside me.

“Finally awake?”

He spoke in a cold, clipped voice. Slowly, I pushed myself up.

“I didn’t sleep well.”

“Maybe if you didn’t lie around all day, you’d be tired enough to sleep.”

I pressed a palm to my stomach and swallowed hard.

I believed Carter was the ideal spouse when we got married. Reliable, charming, and intelligent. Over the years, however, his patience had waned and his tone had become colder.

In retrospect, I saw that this was who he had always been. I had simply failed to notice it through the fog of love.

He took off his mask when he had everything, including my home and my work after I took maternity leave. He no longer needed to pretend.

Me: “Breakfast?”

Carter’s eyes seldom left his phone.

“If there’s something decent to eat.”

I moved slowly into the kitchen and began frying eggs.

This is my life. I’m preparing food for a man who doesn’t value me. residing in a home that is no longer legally mine.

I had been so stupid, so trusting. I once thought it would be “easier” for him to handle money if I signed all the house documents in his name. I had sacrificed everything because I thought marriage entailed trust.

Carter sighed heavily behind me.

“Have they burned the eggs? You overcook them every time.

I refrained from speaking. It was never good enough, no matter what I accomplished.

“You know what? Ignore it. On my way to work, I’ll stop for something.”

I refrained from arguing. What was the purpose?

He reached for his keys.

“As well as fully clean up today. I don’t want to find a mess when I get home.

The door behind him slammed. I felt the lump in my throat get bigger as I closed my eyes.

I am no longer able to do this.

I snatched up my purse and put on my sneakers without thinking. Walking would help me decompress, and the grocery shop wasn’t far away.

With my little bag of necessities in hand, I left the grocery shop, but my thoughts were elsewhere. As I made my way through the parking lot, the chilly nighttime air felt good against my skin.

Then I caught sight of her.

A shopping cart containing several shabby bags and tattered blankets was being pushed by a woman. “Homeless and Hungry” was written in strong letters on a piece of cardboard that lay on her lap.

I reduced my speed.

She didn’t appear to be the stereotypical homeless person. Even though it seemed untidy, her hair was neat. Her clothing were a little worn, but not tattered. But there was something surprising in her weary eyes. honor.

Something stopped me, but I wasn’t sure what it was. I went around again.

“Do you need anything?”

The woman looked up. She smiled at me, slightly amused.

“Honey, if I start listing everything I need, we’ll be here all night.”

I grinned back, in spite of myself.

“All OK. But really… Food? “Water?”

“I’ll be all right. I simply need some time. I have to stand up again.”

I believed her because of the way she stated it. I ignored the uncomfortable pavement beneath me and knelt down next to her.

“What happened?”

“Life took place. After managing a household one day, I found myself without a place to call home. I was thrown out by my son. claimed that I was an excessive burden.

“Your son?”

“It’s a long story, but let’s just say… some people only love you when you’re useful to them.”

Her words made my heart tighten. They were a bit too personal. “I… I think I understand.”

Her piercing blue eyes observed me. “Husband?”

I laughed a little dryly.

“That obvious?”

“You appeared to be carrying more than just groceries as you left the business. Do you want to discuss it?

I ought to have declined. That woman wasn’t even someone I knew. However, there was a sense of safety in her presence.

“This marriage is more than just a terrible one. It’s I have lost any sense of who I am. I believed that my spouse loved me. I married a man who valued control, it turns out.

“And now you’re stuck.”

“Exactly.” Gazing at a crack on the pavement, I swallowed. “I no longer even possess my own home. I gave it all to him. I was incorrect to put my trust in this guy.

“Yes. I am aware. By the way, my name is Alice.

“Evelyn.”

We sat in silence for a few minutes. It wasn’t uncomfortable.

“Do you have anywhere to go?”

Alice gave a headshake.

“Then come with me.”

Alice looked at my face. “And your husband?”

I let out a sigh, already aware of the impending storm. “Don’t worry about him.”

I assisted Alice in getting settled that afternoon. After taking a long, hot shower, she appeared nearly different when she emerged wearing one of my bathrobes.

Exhaustion no longer cast a shadow on her features. I gave her a stack of clothes from my wardrobe and grinned.

“At least they’re clean, even though they might be a little big.”

“You know you don’t have to do this.”

“I’d like to.”

She gave me a nod, then gave me a close look.

“How long has it been since you received a nice gesture from someone?”

It was a surprise question. I had nothing to say. Alice shook her head and laughed.

“You mean that long?”

I gave a little breathy laugh. “Yes.”

The home was unusually quiet as she changed and we sat with mugs of tea at the kitchen table. It was odd to have company.

Even in my own house, I didn’t feel lonely for the first time in years. In addition, I thought I had done things correctly.

The front door banged hours later. Carter was at home.

Even before he spoke, his presence filled the room. Carter froze at the sight of Alice.

“What the devil?” He glanced at her and then at me. “Who is this?”

Alice cautiously raised her eyes, and in that instant, Carter’s expression transformed. His typically haughty demeanor wavered.

“Mom?

I gave them both a blink.

Carter’s expression contorted in rage after his moment of disbelief. His incredulity gave way to rage.

Pointing at Alice as if she were garbage, he spat, “This woman is a homeless stranger.” “She’s not going to stay here!”

Alice watched him intently while folding her arms. “So you’re introducing me that way now?”

“You aren’t my mom,” Carter yelled. “The day you decided to leave, you ceased to be my mother.”

Alice laughed a little, without humor.

“Oh, Carter. Do you recount the story that way? That I departed? Perhaps because you ejected me?
“You left me! You were self-centered and prioritized your aspirations over mine.

“Isn’t that the actual issue?”

The room fell into a tight quiet, but she wasn’t finished.

“I desired a profession. I desired my own funds. Being a wife to a man who expected me to serve him was not what I wanted. You detested that. Your dad detested that. You both desired a woman who would obey orders and lower her head.

“Dad passed away. And you! You were an embarrassment. You didn’t behave like a good mother.

“No. I wouldn’t bring up a youngster who believed he could possess a woman.

Then he turned to face me.

What on earth were you thinking, Evelyn? Entering my home with her?

“Our home,” I clarified, my tone as piercing as glass.

He chuckled icily.

“Yours? No, dear. This house was mine once we were married. The bills are paid by me. The rules are set by me. Leave. You two.

Carter was aware that he was losing control.

I took the key to the house out of my pocket. Then I threw it on the floor in front of Carter without saying anything.

“You own the house. However, you no longer have a family.

I wasn’t afraid for the first time in a long time. I didn’t feel anything.

I turned, snatched up my coat, and shoved some cash into my pocket without waiting for him to respond. The chilly air pricked my flesh as we stepped onto the deserted pavement. I had no notion where I was meant to go next, no home, and no plan.

I said, “Where now?”

Alice gestured for me to follow her around the corner after giving me a knowing look.

What else could I do? I hesitated.

A sleek black Mercedes was parked near the curb, its light flashing in the faint streetlight. The car’s lights flickered as Alice went into her coat pocket and touched a button.

I went cold. My brain raced to take in what I was seeing.

“Alice… You… stole a car?”

She laughed richly and amusedly.

“Oh, sweetheart. All I needed was your trust.

“I need a little more information before I hop into a possibly stolen vehicle.”

Alice unlocked the driver’s side door with a sly smile. “It’s mine.”

“Yours?”

“Yes. If it eases your mind, it is lawfully parked, insured, and registered. Are you coming now, or would you rather spend the night sleeping on a bus bench?”

Alice remained silent until we were driving, the buzz of the motor piercing the air.

The dashboard was covered in shifting shadows as the city lights flickered by. I waited while gazing out the window. I turned to her at last.

“You said… you were homeless.”

“Yes, I was. For a time. However, I managed to gather myself.

“How? You had nothing just a few minutes ago. You’re driving a Mercedes now?”

“I feigned homelessness. I was once. However, I now own my own business. Once more, I am in charge of my life.

“What?”

The houses were bigger and grander when Alice pulled onto a quiet street. She arrived at a stunning vehicle with lofty windows.

“Alice… Whose home is this?

She unbuckled her seatbelt and killed the engine.

“Mine.”

I looked incredulously at her.

“Why did you do these actions? Why not just assist me instead of putting me through this difficult test?”

“Because I glimpsed my grandchild’s future. The instant I laid eyes on you, I knew you were expecting. I had to know, too. You would assist a homeless woman if you were genuinely compassionate. My son would show his genuine self if he were still a monster.

“And now what?” I muttered.

“Now, that is irrelevant. I’ll assist you.

My eyes filled with tears. I felt safe and free at last.

Weeks went by. I was still getting used to my new normal, which included drinking coffee without feeling the pressure of someone’s criticism and waking up in a bed that didn’t feel like a cage.

Then the doorbell rang one afternoon. Alice and I looked at each other. Before I even reached for the handle, we both knew who it was.

Carter. He had a terrible appearance.

“I was wrong,” he said, shifting uneasily. “I see that now. I’d like to put things right.

“Make things right?” Unimpressed, Alice repeated.

Carter cast a shamed glance down.

“I acknowledge my error. I’m aware I offended you both. However, I no longer wish to be this person.

I examined him. I had changed from who I used to be.

“You wish to make things right? Seek therapy first. And perhaps instead of evicting the homeless, we should genuinely assist them.”

“I’ll carry it out. For our infant.

Perhaps he would change. He might not. In any case, I now owned my future.

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