Author: Vase My

Grandma worked two jobs after Mom left. I didn’t tell people that part. When friends asked who raised me, I laughed it off and said, “Oh. My grandma. She’s basically just the help.” I said it like a careless teenage girl who wanted to sound cool. Like the woman who raised me didn’t define me. For illustrative purposes only She never heard those words. But I still carry them like a bruise. After my mom disappeared—no goodbye, no explanation—Grandma became everything. She cleaned offices at dawn and stocked shelves overnight. She braided my hair before school even when her hands were…

At the time, Ms. Maria Santos was already in her early thirties. She lived alone in an old teachers’ dormitory at a public school on the outskirts of a provincial town in the Philippines. Her salary as a teacher was modest, her meals simple, but her heart was never devoid of love. One afternoon, as heavy rain poured down, Ms. Maria saw two twin boys huddled together under a flimsy piece of cloth, crying until their voices became hoarse. Beside them was only a crumpled note that read: “Please let someone raise them. I no longer have the means…” Without…

Mumbai General Hospital had long been known for its high standards and tranquil atmosphere, but recently, a disturbing rumor had spread among its staff: within the span of a few months, four night-shift nurses had become pregnant, all within weeks of each other. The coincidence was unsettling, especially since all the women worked in the same ward—the long-term care unit—where Raghav Mehta had been lying in a coma for over three years following a road accident. Dr. Arjun Sen, the ward supervisor, was a methodical and rational man. Initially, he dismissed the pregnancies as nothing more than a coincidence. But…

I remarried at 60, secretly owning the vineyard estate, and when my husband and his children revealed their greedy true colors after the wedding, that hidden truth protected me and changed everything in ways none of them ever imagined. There are times in life when we think the storms are behind us, when we believe we’ve reached the golden years we’ve earned through hard work, heartbreak, and a thousand small decisions no one else saw. I thought that was the case when I remarried at sixty. But instead, I walked straight into a war I didn’t even know was being…

This happened two years ago, but that morning still feels as vivid in my chest as if it had happened yesterday. I’m Cameron, a single father to the most amazing little girl in the world. Her name is Zoe. She was six at the time, with pigtails that bounced with every step and a gap-toothed smile that could brighten even the darkest of days. She had this way of looking at you that made you feel like she trusted you with her whole heart, like everything was right in the world as long as you were by her side. Zoe…

I was ten years old when my mother remarried—and overnight, I stopped being her child. She called it a “fresh start.” New husband. New house. And soon after, a new baby boy. Her perfect son. I remember standing in the doorway of that bright, unfamiliar house with my small suitcase, watching her cradle him like the world had finally given her what she wanted. She barely looked at me. For illustrative purposes only A week later, she said it would be “better” if I stayed with Grandma for a while. Grandma didn’t hesitate. She opened her arms, cleared out her sewing…

The fluorescent lights in the delivery room flickered overhead as they arrived, buzzing like they were in on what was about to unfold. I was propped up on stiff hospital pillows, exhausted after fourteen hours of labor, my body sore in places I never knew existed. My daughter rested against me, impossibly tiny, her heartbeat fluttering like a trapped bird beneath my hand. When my family walked in, the atmosphere shifted. My mother’s smile was tight, almost predatory, the kind she wore when she wanted to be the center of attention. My father had that same expression he always wore…

“I CAN’T DO THIS ANYMORE.” Those were the first words out of my sister Lila’s mouth when I opened my front door that night. She stood there rigidly, one hand gripping a small suitcase, the other shoved firmly against the back of her four-year-old son, Evan. He nearly lost his balance on his weak legs before instinctively grabbing onto my coat. For illustrative purposes only Lila wasn’t crying. There were no tears, no shame, no hesitation. Her face was tight with irritation, like she’d just finished an argument she was tired of having. Before I could even ask what was…

Cervical cancer is among the most common gynecological cancers worldwide. While many factors contribute to its development, research shows that a woman’s environment and close relationships can also play an important role. In some cases, certain everyday habits within a relationship may quietly increase health risks without either partner being fully aware. Understanding these factors can help couples make more informed, supportive choices together. Below are three behaviors that health experts often highlight when discussing cervical and reproductive health. Smoking is widely known to harm the lungs and cardiovascular system, but its effects extend beyond the individual who smokes. Regular…

From the very beginning, Liam was standing in court not because of a serious crime, but because he had run away from a short-term foster home — a place called “home,” but one that had never made him feel safe. At 13 years old, Liam was all too familiar with leaving. He had slipped out of that foster home during the night, carrying nothing but his worn little canvas bag. The clothes inside were still neatly folded as when he received them, because Liam had learned early on: there’s no reason to unpack when you’re going to leave soon anyway.…