I Said “No” To Babysitting Once For A Doctor’s Appointment. My Son’s Response: “The Locks Have Been Updated. Please Don’t Come By Right Now.” So I Came Back A Week Later… With A Realtor To Sell The Very House I BOUGHT FOR THEM.

I just looked out the window where the morning light filtered through the branches, trying to understand everything that’s happening. I know that even if no one says it, they have removed me from my son and daughter-in-law’s life. The phone vibrated on the table.

It was a message from Mary. Edward’s neighbor. A woman I got along with since I started bringing them bread.

It said,

Olivia, I don’t want to get involved, but Laura told the neighborhood group that her mother-in-law is getting old, can’t control her emotions, and likes to meddle where she’s not wanted. I read the message and gripped my coffee cup. Laura didn’t just shut the door in my face.

Now she’s telling the whole neighborhood I’m a nosy, out-of-control old woman. I replied with a short thanks. But inside I wanted to scream that I am not that person.

I decided to go out. I couldn’t stay locked up with those words spinning in my head. I walked to the corner supermarket where I used to buy food for Isabella and Nick.

As soon as I walked in, I saw Isabella with a woman I didn’t know. I assumed she was the new nanny. The little girl was wearing the coat I gave her for her birthday.

But her eyes no longer had the same sparkle. I moved closer to call her name. But the woman stepped in front of me and said coldly,

“Ma’am’s instructions.

No strangers are allowed to approach.”

Strangers. I froze. I looked at Isabella.

She looked up. Our eyes met for a few seconds. Then she turned away as if she didn’t know me.

I stood there in the middle of aisles full of people, feeling like a ghost. When I got home, I opened the refrigerator. Last week’s food was still untouched.

No one had eaten with me. On the table was still the box with the birthday gift I had prepared for Nick. A wooden puzzle I had carefully chosen at the market.

It was dusty because I hadn’t had the chance to give it to him. I picked up the phone and called Edward, hoping he would at least answer. It rang four times.

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