“Check the laundry room!” I returned the call, my voice trembling with frustration. Nothing turned up after a week of looking. Just when I was about to quit up, during dinner, Gabriel revealed something shocking to me.“You’re never going to believe what my mom told me today,” he continued as spinning spaghetti around on his finger.I arched an eyebrow. “What’s that?” “This weekend, she’s heading out on a lavish vacation. Some posh resort or something like that.” My drink almost choked me. “Evelyn? A lavish holiday? Is the woman we are discussing the same one?”Gabriel laughed. “I understand, correct? It’s peculiar. Weird barely scratches the surface. Evelyn had so tight finances that she could definitely pinch a cent till Lincoln started crying. With his teeth clogged with garlic bread, Liam muttered, “Maybe she won the lottery.”I instantly snapped,
“Liam, don’t talk with your mouth full.” Then it dawned on me. I had taken off my earrings at her apartment a few weeks prior. Gabriel, I think I know where my earrings went, I said softly. He turned to face me, perplexed. “What do you mean?”“Do you recall our visit to your mother from last month? I removed my earrings while I was in that place. She probably has them. Gabriel scowled. “Mia, that is a very grave charge. Are you certain?”“No,” I said. But the coincidence is just too great. “Suddenly, the earrings vanish, and she’s off on a lavish vacation?”Gabriel said, “Maybe you should talk to her.” “Clear the air.” My stomach was in knots as I traveled to Evelyn’s place the following day. I practiced my response before knocking on the door. With her steel-gray pixie cut nicely coiffed, Evelyn opened the door. “Mia? How unexpected.”“Can I come in?” I asked, attempting to maintain a steady tone. Though hesitant, she moved aside. I inhaled deeply as I entered. “Evelyn, my birthday earrings are missing. The ones I received from Gabriel. A few weeks ago, I seem to have taken them off here. Do you think you’ve seen them?Her expression became stern. “Are you accusing me of something?” My tone told them otherwise. “No, I’m just asking if you’ve seen them,” I said. “How dare you!” Evelyn raised her voice. “First, you come into my house uninvited, and now you’re implying I’m a thief?” “I’m not making any assumptions,” I later said. “I’m just trying to find my earrings.” “Well, they’re not here,” yelled Evelyn. “And I’m not going to tolerate these unfounded charges. Before I contact the cops, please leave my house!” Shaking with rage and frustration, I walked out. I could not verify it, but I knew she had them. Gabriel was waiting for me when I arrived home. “How’d it go?” I gave a terrible sigh and fell back on the couch. “She practically threw me out.” Gabriel took a seat beside me and wrapped his arm across my shoulders. “I apologize, sweetie. I am aware of how important those earrings were to you.”Refusing to cry, I leaned toward him. It goes beyond the earrings. It is everything’s guiding principle. Why does she have to make things so hard all the time?” When the weekend arrived, Evelyn departed for her journey. I made an effort to ignore it and concentrate on the children. My cell phone rang when we were enjoying a peaceful Saturday morning. Evelyn was the one. She cried out, “What the hell is this?” “I know this is your doing!” “Evelyn, what are you talking about?” Stepping away from the children, I inquired. “I can’t get in the hotel! They claim there isn’t a reservation made in my name. Perplexed, I blinked. “How is that my fault?” “Don’t try to fool me! Somehow, you set this up.”“Evelyn, I promise I did nothing,” I stated in an attempt to reassure her. She hung up on me. I was stunned and stood there, looking at my phone. “Who was that, Mommy?” With a troubled expression, Sophia enquired. I forced a smile and added, “Just Grandma.” “She’s having some trouble on her trip.” An hour on, Gabriel gave a call. You won’t believe this, Mia. My mother just called me, crying. It seems that she purchased her trip package from a phony travel agency. And now at the train station, her suitcase has been taken!”I had a brief moment of satisfaction before feeling guilty. “That is quite awful. Is she in good health?” She seems quite upset. I believe we ought to go fetch her.” I exhaled. “You’re accurate. We ought to assist her. After gathering the kids, we headed to the resort town by car. Liam and Sophia sensed our tension during the tight automobile ride. “Is Grandma in trouble?” Liam enquired from the rear bench. Gabriel gave me a quick look before responding. “My friend, she has simply been unlucky. We’re going to support her.At the police station, we discovered Evelyn, who appeared older and smaller than I had ever seen. She shouted, “Oh, Gabriel,” as soon as she spotted us. “It’s been awful!” Thinking about karma, I couldn’t help but notice Evelyn sniffling in the backseat as we drove home. However, I felt bad for her since I could see how weak she was. We all sat down in the living room once we got back to our house and the kids were asleep. “Evelyn, I think we should talk about what happened,” I murmured softly.She gave me a cautious glance. “What do you mean?” “The earring piece. Your unannounced trip. Is this not a coincidence? Evelyn’s expression twisted. “I apologize,” she muttered. “After you went, I noticed them on my dresser. They were so lovely that I felt as though I should have been treated nicely once.” Gabriel seems taken aback. “Mom, you stole Mia’s earrings?”“I was going to replace them,” Evelyn blurted out. “I just wanted a little vacation first.” I inhaled deeply. “Evelyn, if you needed money, you could have asked us for help.” She remarked, “I didn’t want to be a burden,” as she cast her gaze downward. “And me, I felt envious. I’ve never received anything so lovely from Gabriel.” Gabriel’s expression eased. “You’re not a burden, mom. We are related. You ought to have spoken with us.” Evelyn murmured, dabbing at her tears, “I know.” “I’ve made such a mess of everything.” To my surprise, I answered, “It’s not too late to fix it.” “We can work on communicating better.”With hope in her eyes, Evelyn raised her gaze to me. “Are you serious? following all I’ve done?” I gave a nod. “Family’s complicated, but it’s worth fighting for.” Evelyn said, “I’ll pay you back for the earrings.” Additionally, I want to work on becoming a better mother-in-law. If it’s okay with you.” “I’d like that,” I replied as a sensation of relief cleared my chest. Gabriel turned to face me as Evelyn disappeared into the guest room. “You’re amazing, you know that?”I grinned sourly. “I’m just relieved that the story of the earrings is done. How about we head to bed now? I’m worn out.” He gave me a forehead kiss. “That sounds fine. It is a new day tomorrow.” As we made our way upstairs, it occurred to me that occasionally the most improbable things can turn out well. From here, perhaps, just perhaps, Evelyn and I could develop a stronger bond. I woke up the following morning to the aroma of bacon and coffee. Perplexed, I went downstairs to discover Evelyn preparing breakfast in the kitchen. She said, “Good morning,” with a hint of anxiety. “I had planned to provide breakfast for each person. In order to say thank you. Additionally, a beginning.” I grinned, sincere admiration. That’s fantastic, Evelyn. I’m grateful.I sensed a glimpse of hope as we sat down to dine, the kids chatting amicably and Gabriel grinning at the scene. Though it wouldn’t be simple, we were beginning the process of actually creating a family. How would you have responded in that situation?
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