I’m raising my kids alone after my husband left for his lover, who’s ironically my rival for a promotion at work. While trying to navigate my personal and professional lives, a persistent neighbor always offers help. Life was not easy, but after several setbacks, I’m reconsidering my opinion of him.

My morning started the same way it always did. Jake’s loud cries echoed through the small house. I groaned, trying to shake off the fog of exhaustion after another sleepless night. I dragged myself out of bed and headed toward Jake’s room.

“Mommy!” he wailed.

I quickly realized the problem. His wet pants clung to him. Again.

“Jake, honey,” I sighed, lifting him into my arms. “I’m sorry, I forgot the diaper.”

I stripped off his soaked pajamas and wiped him down as fast as I could. No time for lingering today. Today was a big day.

As I carried Jake to the kitchen, I spotted Mia sitting up in bed and yawning. She wasn’t one to jump out of bed. No, she waited for me to come and dress her, especially when it was a school day.

“Mia, sweetie, you’ve got to get up and get dressed. We don’t have much time today.”

She groaned and flopped back onto the pillow, her curly hair covering her face.

“I don’t want to go to school! They’re serving steamed vegetables again.”

I smiled, though there was no time to argue.

“We’ve been over this, Mia. You have to eat healthy. It’s good for you.”

“But they taste yucky!”

“Yucky or not, you’re eating them. Now, come on, we’re going to be late!”

Jake’s gluten-free breakfast was a mess of crumbs on the counter while Mia eyed her plate of veggies like it was poison. The clock ticked louder in my head as I checked my phone.

“Alright, let’s go!” I called out, grabbing my bag and juggling coats and backpacks.

We rushed outside, and just then, our new neighbor, Nick, appeared out of nowhere.

“Morning, Emma!” he called with a friendly wave.

His broad smile was a little too bright for 8 a.m.

“Need a hand?”

I didn’t have time for small talk. I plastered on a polite smile.

“Thanks, Nick, but I’ve got it.”

Before I could wrangle Jake into his seat, he reached out with his sticky hands — that had somehow found syrup — and smeared it right across my suit jacket.

“Jake!” I yelped, my stomach sinking. “Not today!”

There was no time to change. I wiped at the stain as best as I could and hurried to drop Mia off at school.

***

At work, I was already running late, dropping Jake off at my friend Lisa’s desk at reception before racing upstairs for the meeting. I pushed open the door, my heart pounding, and there she was — Stephanie.

She was the woman who had not only destroyed my marriage but was now competing with me for a promotion. She smiled that smug, confident smile, and it hit me. She was ready to win this. Just like she always did.

I gathered myself, determined not to let her get to me. But as I opened the presentation slides, my heart sank. Scribbles. Colored scribbles all over my files! That was Mia’s work from the night before.

I was standing in my stained suit with my career hanging by a thread. My boss’s face turned to disappointment.

“Emma,” he said quietly after the meeting, “if you don’t get things under control, I’m afraid we’re going to have to reconsider the promotion.”

I was on the verge of losing everything. Then, my phone buzzed. It was the school. Mia was sick.

I had to rush. Again.

***

That evening, after finally getting the kids to sleep, I collapsed onto the terrace chair. The cool night air brushed against my skin, but it did nothing to calm the storm inside me.

One day. I have one day left to finish the project which can make or break everything.

Stephanie’s face flashed in my mind, smug and victorious. She had already taken so much from me. She wanted my career, too.

I sighed and looked out over the fence. Nick stood there, waving again. I hadn’t noticed him earlier, he always showed up just when things felt unbearable.

“You okay?”

Before I knew it, I gestured for him to come over.

What am I doing?

“Hey.” Nick sat down next to me. “You seem… stressed.”

I don’t know what got into me, but everything poured out. The words tumbled out faster than I could stop them.

“I’m drowning, Nick. The divorce, the kids, work… I feel like I’m failing at everything. I don’t know how much more I can take.”

To my horror, tears started streaming down my face. I hadn’t cried like this in months, maybe years. I didn’t want to, but I couldn’t stop.

“Emma…” Nick started, but I cut him off.

“No, no, no! You need to leave.”

“I’m fine,” I snapped, shutting down, my heart racing with fear. “Please, just go.”

What am I doing? I don’t need any more men closer than that fence. I don’t need anyone.

***

The next morning was a blur of chaos. I barely managed to get both kids dressed and out the door.

Mia, still pale and sniffling from the day before, clung to her blanket, while Jake was a bundle of energy, bouncing around like he’d had a double shot of espresso.

My mom had promised to help, but her flight was delayed, and I had no one to watch the kids. Desperation hit me as I realized I had no choice but to take them with me to work.

That was the last thing I needed on the day of my big presentation.

As we pulled into the office parking lot, I glanced at the clock. I was already cutting it close.

“Okay, guys. We’re just going to sit quietly at the reception, okay? Mommy has something really important to do.”

Mia nodded weakly, but Jake… Well, Jake had other plans.

I dropped the kids off at the reception desk with a pleading look toward the receptionist.

“I’ll be quick.”

With one last glance at my kids, I rushed to the conference room.

As I prepared to set up for the presentation, a sinking feeling hit me. My files. I’d left them in the yard, scattered among the chaos of getting the kids into the car.

Then, a noise from the reception area caught my attention.

I glanced over and saw Jake spinning around in the receptionist’s chair, while Mia had found some papers and was folding them into little airplanes.

The receptionist, bless her heart, was on the phone and hadn’t noticed the chaos unfolding.

“Jake! Mia! Stop!” I hissed, rushing over, but it was too late.

A stack of papers flew into the air, and Jake, giggling, darted between desks, knocking over a stack of brochures.

There was no way I could deliver this presentation. I was just about to give up, to tell David that it wasn’t going to happen when suddenly, the door to the office swung open.

OMG! That’s Nick! But how?

“Sorry I’m late,” he said with a friendly smile as if we’d planned this whole thing.

He quickly gathered the kids, apologizing to the receptionist.

“Got a little held up, but I’m here now,” he said, winking at Jake.

“Oh, and Emma,” he added, pulling a folder from his bag. “I think these are yours.”

He had brought the files I’d forgotten. I couldn’t believe it.

The presentation went off without a hitch. I was sure that I’d pulled it off. But when it was over, David approached me with a somber expression.

“Emma, you did a great job,” he said, “but I’m not sure you’re ready for this promotion. Your personal life seems to be interfering too much.”

His words hit me like thunder. I saw Stephanie across the room, celebrating with my ex-husband by her side.

She won. Again.

***

Later that evening, I dragged myself to Nick’s door, feeling like I had no energy left. The weight of the day still hung heavily on my shoulders.

“They’re asleep,” Nick said softly as he led me inside.

I peeked into the living room where Jake and Mia lay curled up on the couch, peacefully asleep, their little faces relaxed.

They looked so content, fed, and without a hint of fever. I couldn’t help but feel a rush of gratitude.

“Thank you, Nick,” I whispered, trying not to wake the kids.

He waved it off like it was no big deal.

“They were great. Jake even helped me with dinner. Sort of,” he chuckled.

I smiled, but it faded quickly as the reality of my day came crashing back.

“So, how did it go?” he asked as he gestured for me to sit down at the dining table. “Did you nail the presentation?”

“No, not really. I mean, the presentation itself went well, thanks to you… but my boss doesn’t think I can handle the promotion. Personal stuff keeps getting in the way.”

I felt my chest tighten as I said it out loud.

“I’m sorry, Emma. That’s not fair, especially after everything you’ve been through.”

I glanced at the food he had prepared. My stomach growled.

“Let’s have dinner.” Nick smiled again.

I gave in. The smell of the warm food made me realize how hungry I actually was.

We ate in silence, and for once, it didn’t feel awkward. It was comforting. The dishes were tasty.

After dinner, I pushed my plate away.

“Thanks, Nick. I think I’ll just lie down with the kids for a bit.”

“Take your time.”

I immediately fell asleep till morning.

***

I woke up to a message from my boss.

You’re getting the promotion if you can better manage your time.

I blinked in disbelief.

Nick handed me a cup of coffee, and I glanced over at the kids playing in the yard. They were completely absorbed in their new ball and scooter, laughing and chasing each other like nothing else in the world mattered.

“Thanks for the coffee,” I smiled as I took the cup.

“You know, I already talked to your boss this morning,” Nick said casually, taking a sip from his cup.

I froze mid-sip, looking at him in surprise.

“Wait, you talked to my boss?”

“I told him how tough things have been for you lately, and how you’ve been holding it together since your husband left. I also told him that I’d be around to help with the kids so you can focus on your job.”

I stared at him, amazed.

“And he listened to you?”

“Yeah,” he replied with a smile. “You’re getting another chance. I convinced him that you deserve it.”

I looked at him, trying to comprehend how someone who’d only recently come into my life had done so much for me.

“Nick, who are you? How do you manage to do all of this?”

He laughed softly, glancing over at the kids who were still happily kicking the ball around.

“I run my own IT business. A few years ago, it was all-consuming, but now I’ve got it set up so it runs pretty much on its own. Now, I get to focus more on the good things in life… like you and your kids. So…”

“You are amazing,” I whispered.

“Give me a chance to be closer, Emma.”

I felt warmth spreading in my chest. He seemed so genuine, so dependable. I was ready to trust again.

“Let’s spend the weekend together,” I suggested, looking into his eyes. “And we’ll see where things go from there.”

Tell us what you think about this story, and share it with your friends. It might inspire them and brighten their day.

If you enjoyed this story, read this one: My husband had been visiting our beautiful new neighbor quite often, helping with heavy boxes or fixing a lightbulb. One day, I couldn’t take it anymore and went over with some cookies, pretending to be a friendly neighbor. That’s when I saw a little boy… He was the spitting image of my husband! Read the full story here.

This piece is inspired by stories from the everyday lives of our readers and written by a professional writer. Any resemblance to actual names or locations is purely coincidental. All images are for illustration purposes only. Share your story with us; maybe it will change someone’s life. If you would like to share your story, please send it to info@amomama.com.