The doorbell rang. Standing at the door were the husband’s parents.…

A young, polished-looking man stopped beside Emily. His eyes were concerned. She realized she’d been sitting in this café for a while. The tissue in her hand was soaked from trying to stop her tears.

“I’m Ethan. I came here for lunch, and I’ve been watching you cry the whole time.”

Emily brought the useless tissue to her eyes. Ethan quickly offered his own.
“May I?” He gestured to the chair across from her.

Emily nodded.

“I work in that building over there.” He pointed to a gray office across from the café. “I come here for lunch a lot, but I’ve never seen you before. Did something happen?”

Emily nodded again and suddenly poured out everything weighing on her heart. It felt like a weight lifted.

Before responding, Ethan raised his hand to call the waiter. He ordered coffee and pastries. Smiling, he looked at Emily.

“Sorry for unloading all my problems on you.”
“It’s easier to open up to a stranger,” Ethan said, placing his hand over hers. “You did the right thing.”

Half an hour later, they left the café together. Ethan put her in a cab.
“Here’s my card. Emily, if you need anything, call me anytime. I’d be happy to help.”

Back home, Emily found Jake’s mom waiting.
“Sweetie, what’s the deal? I told you to register Jake. It’s been a week, and you haven’t done a thing.”

Emboldened by her talk with Ethan, Emily stood her ground.
“Why should I register him? So he can bring other girls here? Or so you can steal more of our money?”
“What money? What’s there to steal from you, you broke nobody? Besides that apartment you didn’t even earn.”
“That apartment is legally mine, and I’m not registering your cheating son. Why would I? You took our money, and now you’re eyeing my home. If you’re so broke, rent or buy your precious boy his own place.”

“You little—” Jake’s mom raised her hand.
“Touch me, and I’m calling the cops.” Emily held up her phone. “They’ll throw you out in a heartbeat.”..