5
477words
The young mom's words snapped me back.
Her daughter giggled in her arms."Auntie, put it on! Don't catch a cold—it feels awful!"
A stranger's kindness brought tears to my eyes.
In thirteen years, my husband and son never showed such care.
This moment, I'll remember forever.
I couldn't refuse and accepted her coat.
Chatting, I learned she was a single mom, divorced six months ago.
She said her ex refused child support, so she worked while raising her daughter.
When she spoke about her past marriage, she was so calm, as if recounting someone else's story.
"Don't you hate your ex?"
"At first, I did. But I let it go. Life's not short, but not long either. Staying stuck in pain—how do you move forward?"
"Life's your own. Keep hope, and things will get better."
Her bright smile hit me like a revelation.
Yes, life's my own!
I'd revolved around my husband and son, losing myself.
From now on, I'd live for me, the way I wanted.
I sent out resumes like crazy, but half a month passed with no responses.
Teaching was all I knew, but those jobs were scarce.
Just when I was desperate enough to consider cleaning jobs to make ends meet, Grace Lynn, the mom from the park, called.
"Sister, found a job yet?"
"Not yet!"
"I'm doing live-stream sales for clothes. Would you like to help? There's a base salary plus commission!"
I nearly jumped for joy.
A job, finally!
The world of online media opened new doors.
Grace was patient, explaining everything clearly, encouraging me when I faltered.
I caught on fast, often shining.
Knowing I was broke, she paid me weekly.
We clicked, tossing out catchy phrases, our live-stream's fans soaring.
The busy, fulfilling days left me exhausted but content, Robert and our son long forgotten.
Until Robert called, asking if I'd still divorce, reminding me the cooling-off period was over.
When I showed up at our meeting in stylish clothes and a full face of makeup, he didn't recognize me at first, not until I said his name.
"Where'd you get money to dress up?"
A month apart, he didn't ask how I was—only where the money came from.
That was him, the husband I thought I knew but didn't.
"I got a job. I can support myself!"
"How much you making, spending like that? Our son is still young and needs money. You're so selfish! Hand over your bank card. I'll save the money for him."
"We agreed he's yours.I'll pay every cent of child support. My money? Don't even think about it!"
Seeing me pull out my documents, his expression twisted.
He sneered," You'll regret this!"
"Not a chance!"
"Don't expect a dime from me. I lent it all to my sister. No money, just my life—do what you want!"
