When Nancy’s landlord told her and her three daughters to leave their rental home for a week, she thought things couldn’t get any worse. But then, a surprising meeting with the landlord’s brother revealed a shocking betrayal.
Our house isn’t huge, but it belongs to us.
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My kids, Lily, Emma, and Sophie, fill it with their giggles and little actions that remind me why I work so hard.
Money was always on my mind. My job as a waitress barely covered our rent and bills. There was no safety net or backup plan.
The next day while I was hanging laundry outside to dry, the phone rang.
“Nancy, it’s Peterson.”
Hearing his voice made my stomach twist. “Oh hi Mr. Peterson. Is everything alright?”
“I need you out of the house for a week,” he said casually like he was asking me to water his plants.
“My brother is coming into town and needs somewhere to stay. I told him he could use your place.”
I thought I must have misheard him. “Wait—this is my home! We have a lease!”
“Don’t start with that lease stuff,” he snapped back at me. “Remember when you were late on rent last month? I could’ve kicked you out then but didn’t do it. You owe me.”
“Mr. Peterson please,” I said trying not to sound desperate in my voice. “I don’t have anywhere else to go.”
“Not my problem,” he replied coldly before the line went silent.
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I sat down on the couch staring at the phone in my hand.
My heart pounded in my ears; breathing felt hard.
“Mama what’s wrong?” Lily asked from the doorway looking worried.
I forced myself to smile back at her. “Nothing sweetie! Go play with your sisters.”
By Thursday night I’d packed what little we could fit into some bags; The girls had many questions but I couldn’t explain anything clearly.
“We’re going on an adventure!” I told them trying really hard to sound happy about it all.
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The place we ended up staying wasn’t as good as I’d hoped; It was small enough for all four of us but had thin walls where we heard every cough or loud talk from next door!
Lily tried playing games like “I Spy” with her sisters but soon Sophie started crying because she missed Mr Floppy—their stuffed bunny!
“Where’s Mr Floppy?” she cried tears streaming down her cheeks!
My heart sank—I’d forgotten him back home in all this rush!
“He’s still there!” My throat felt tight saying that
“I can’t sleep without him!” Sophie sobbed holding onto me tightly
That night while Sophie cried herself asleep again—I stared up at the cracked ceiling feeling helpless.
Sophie kept crying until the fourth night.
Every sob pierced through me like knives hitting deep inside
“Please Mama,” she whispered sounding so sad now! “I want Mr Floppy!”
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Holding her close—I rocked back and forth trying comfort her—but honestly—it became too much for me!
So one evening parked down street—my heart raced gazing at our old house wondering if they would let me inside? What if Mr Peterson showed up? Sophie’s tear-streaked face wouldn’t leave my mind…
Taking deep breaths—I walked towards door hearing Sophie’s soft pleas echoing in head knocking gently against wood holding breath tight…
A man opened door who looked unfamiliar yet friendly enough standing there tall with bright green eyes looking confused,
“Can I help you?” He asked curiously,
“Hi” stammered nervously “I’m sorry bothering you… I’m tenant here… My daughter left stuffed bunny inside hoping grab it.”
He blinked surprised saying “Wait—you live here?”
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“Yes,” feeling lump form throat added quickly “But Mr Peterson said we had leave week because you’re staying here.”
His expression changed suddenly making think maybe upset
He muttered something under breath before pausing taking long breath calming himself down,
Stepping aside finally letting enter hesitantly familiar smell hit reminding of home making eyes burn wanting cry again refusing let tears fall though Jack—he introduced himself helped search through room finding untouched space belonging Sophie,
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“There he is” Jack pulled out Mr Floppy from under bed handing over gently
Clutching bunny close imagining how happy Sophie would be thanking him softly voice shaking
“Tell everything,” Jack urged sitting edge bed listening closely clenching jaw each word shared about call threats hostel situation quietly absorbing details
“You kicked single mom kids out their home? For ME?” His tone sharp now showing anger towards brother’s actions “No way—not getting away this fix NOW or I’ll make sure do!”
After hanging up turned toward me saying firmly: “Pack things hostel—you’re coming back tonight!”
Over weeks following Jack kept showing up fixing kitchen faucet bringing groceries one evening too—
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Girls loved having around! Lily asked advice science project Emma dragged into board games even shy little Sophie warmed giving hugs sharing tea parties inviting join them too—
Slowly began noticing more beneath pleasant gestures funny patient caring nature towards children dinners together turned romantic eventually…
Months later sitting porch after girls asleep Jack spoke softly:
“I want help find something permanent,” continuing further added: “Will marry ME?”
Stunned couldn’t believe words escaping mouth finally replying YES!!
Month later moved lovely new house found by Jack where Lily got own room Emma painted hers pink while excitedly dashed off holding tightly onto dear old friend—Mr Floppy shield against world outside…
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Jack stayed dinner helping set table watching females chat realized wasn’t just hero anymore… He became part family now!
