Emma was the daughter of Jeremy's childhood neighbor, who had moved away over a decade ago.
My mother-in-law met her when she returned to her hometown recently; Emma was being forced out by her sister-in-law.
Her husband had a drinking problem, and he died from a drunken fall into a ditch, yet my in-laws blamed her for "killing" him, and they kicked her and her son out.
They kicked her and her son out.
"Emma used to be so capable, but she married a man who beat her. Finally, she outlived that terrible man, but now she has nowhere to go; it's so pitiful."
My mother-in-law lamented.
After hearing that, I felt a stirring in my heart.
My mother-in-law had been tirelessly taking care of our family, but as she ages, I didn't want her to keep working so hard.
Recently, I had been considering hiring a nanny.
I had always been generous towards women in temporary difficulties, and since Emma was a pitiful person I knew well, I thought it would be good to give her a chance. It would also provide her and her son a place to stay.
When I brought it up, my mother-in-law agreed, but Jeremy frowned.