Charles couldn’t believe his eyes when he saw Mrs. Carter—his former mother-in-law—searching through a dumpster near his restaurant. It had been 15 years since his divorce from her daughter, Erica. Back then, discovering her repeated infidelity ended the marriage, but Mrs. Carter had hugged him, grateful he was finally free. Now, seeing her frail and rummaging for scraps broke something inside him.
“Mrs. Carter!” he implored gently, helping her up. His worry led her to confess a heartbreaking betrayal: after the divorce, Erica and her new husband had convinced Mrs. Carter to sign over her house to avoid inheritance taxes. Her house then vanished, and she found herself homeless, with only meager Social Security to keep her afloat.
Charles didn’t hesitate. He guided the woman straight to his home, where his new wife, Martha, welcomed her with open arms. “You’re family too,” she said, offering comfort and safety. Martha—an attorney—stepped in to help legally, calling what Erica had done elder abuse.
Together, they prepared a case. In time, Erica and her husband were forced to surrender the house and pay restitution—though not to put them behind bars, at Mrs. Carter’s request. Now, she lives in a nearby apartment and is cherished by Charles and Martha’s growing family.
