She shared her concerns with her husband, Evan, but he brushed them off, saying, “Not everyone is social.” Still, Martha remained wary, especially after their neighbor Mrs. Freddie tried to visit Nelly and was turned away.
One afternoon, while collecting mail, Martha saw a letter addressed to Nelly. Curious, she approached Nelly’s window—and froze. Inside was a boy with a familiar birthmark. Shocked, Martha collapsed on the porch.
The truth unraveled quickly. The boy, Tommy, was Evan’s son from a brief affair with Nelly. Forced into secrecy, Nelly had lived next door all along.
Reeling from betrayal, Martha confronted Evan upon his return and handed him divorce papers. Evan’s parents, ashamed, gave Martha half their business to support her and the boys.
When Nelly and Tommy moved away, Martha felt both sorrow and relief. Watching her sons play, she vowed to raise them with honesty and compassion—the legacy their father couldn’t provide.
She found strength in starting anew.
