"A House of Miracles"

— Ethan, are you absolutely sure about this?

— Mom…

— You do realize she’s only with you for the money, right?

Ethan sighed, quietly but firmly.

— Mom, you’re mistaken. But I’m not going to argue. It’s pointless. You’re entitled to your opinion, but we’re not planning some extravagant wedding.

— Ethan, enough. She’s using you—you know it deep down. That girl—

— Mom, please. Don’t go on. Rachel and I have known each other for over five years. We’ve thought this through.

— I just want you to understand: you’re a catch. You have status, charm, family background—any woman would want to be with you.

Ethan closed his eyes, clearly exhausted.

— Mom, what’s more important to you—our status or my happiness?

Claire Whitmore looked toward her husband for support.

— Daniel, are you going to say something?

Daniel, folding his newspaper with a smile, looked up.

— Claire, you only remember I exist when you’re losing an argument. Otherwise, you’ve been making all the decisions around here for nearly three decades. And when things go sideways, you usually blame me anyway.

Claire narrowed her eyes.

— Spare me the speech. Now say something useful.

— Ethan’s a grown man. He’s thoughtful and careful. If he wants to marry Rachel, I see no reason to stand in the way. She seems like a good person.

— Good person? You think there are decent people without money in this world?

— You didn’t always have money either, remember?

Claire nearly lost it.

— Daniel, you are so irresponsible. He’s about to throw his life away!

— Calm down. He’ll continue his treatment, and maybe this young woman will be good for him. I don’t see what you’re so upset about.

Claire stormed out. Ethan slowly stood up, wincing a little.

— Thanks, Dad.

— How are you holding up?

— Better, really. Don’t worry.

When Ethan was seventeen, something strange happened. His immune system began collapsing, and no doctor could pinpoint why. The diagnoses changed every few months, the treatments too. As one weary professor had said:

— It’s as if your son has forgotten how to fight off illness. A century ago, we’d call this a curse. Now, we just shrug and try what we can.

Daniel knew not all problems could be solved with money—but he still spent a fortune trying. Eventually, Ethan said:

— I just want to come home. I haven’t slept in my own bed in months.

To Daniel’s surprise, Claire—who had pushed hardest for constant care—agreed.

— Maybe we should let him rest, just for now. Follow what the doctors actually recommend.

Daniel didn’t argue. There’d been no progress, and strangely enough, once Ethan came home, things improved. His appetite returned. He even gained weight.

From then on, Ethan went for checkups twice a year but lived mostly at home. With some effort—and thanks to Daniel’s generous donations to the university—he graduated. His absences weren’t ideal, but he kept up.

He and Rachel met at university. They were close friends for years before she quietly confessed her feelings. That moment, Ethan had said later, felt like he grew wings.

Despite his wishes, the wedding was spectacular. Claire organized a grand event that felt like the whole town had been invited. Rachel smiled throughout, ignoring the tension.

Relations between Claire and Rachel’s mother, Marina Keller, were icy from the start. Claire believed Marina, with no notable connections or fortune, should act grateful. She didn’t.

The reception’s highlight was the gift presentation. When Marina announced she was giving them a small cottage—her father’s house in a nature reserve—Claire couldn’t hide her disdain:

— My God, are you seriously presenting a shack in the woods as a wedding gift?

Ethan turned toward her sharply:

— That’s enough, Mom.

— Enough? This is done now, Ethan! You’ve made your bed!

Later, when Marina had left, Claire fumed to her husband:

— Did you see the arrogance on that woman?

Days later, Ethan made an announcement.

— Mom, Dad. Rachel and I are moving to the house Marina gave us.

Claire looked like she might faint.

— Have you lost your mind?! Is she manipulating you into this? She wants you isolated, out of reach, so when your health fails, she takes the inheritance!

Daniel raised his eyebrows.

— Claire, that’s outrageous.

— It’s logical! You know he needs care. You’re moving to the middle of nowhere! I won’t allow it!

— We already have tickets, — Ethan replied calmly.

— Then don’t expect help from me, — Claire snapped. — Let your new family take care of you now.

— Don’t hold it against her, — Daniel said after she left the room. — If you need anything, call me.

— Thanks, Dad.

— But tell me, why there?

Ethan gave a crooked smile.

— You’ll laugh. Rachel and Marina believe the natural springs there have healing properties. I don’t, but… it’s peaceful. Why not try?

— Sometimes the unexplainable does work. Good luck, son.

When they arrived, Ethan surveyed the overgrown yard.

— Looks like a jungle.

Rachel grinned.

— Five years empty, remember? We’ll rest first, then clean it up.

Inside, the house felt strangely clean and welcoming. Ethan collapsed onto the couch and fell asleep.

Over the next few weeks, they settled in. He helped as much as he could, and oddly, he began to feel stronger. A week later, for the first time in years, he cleared his plate at dinner.

— I don’t understand it—but I was actually hungry, — he marveled.

— See? — Rachel said. — I told you. There’s something special about this place.

Ethan tilted his head.

— Why do you believe that?

— I used to spend summers here as a child. I saw things—heard stories. It’s like magic lives here.

— You just had all the local boys chasing after you.

— Stop, — Rachel laughed. — Anyway, there’s a surprise coming tomorrow.

No amount of persuasion could get her to reveal what it was. They fell asleep smiling.

Six months passed. One evening, Claire, pacing in frustration, snapped:

— Daniel, why aren’t you doing anything? They’re out there in the wilderness, and our son could be dying!

Daniel closed his folder.

— What do you want me to do? Send a rescue team? He’s married. He’s not a child anymore.

Claire stamped her foot.

— He should’ve been in a hospital a month ago! And every time I bring it up, he hangs up, saying he’s “fine.” How can he be fine?

Daniel saw through her anger to the fear beneath.

— Then let’s go see him. Pack a bag. I’ll call Ethan and plan the route. We leave tomorrow.

They reached the village at sunset.

— What a dump, — Claire muttered.

— I like it, — Daniel said. — Nature, peace, not a billboard in sight. Hey, was that a rabbit?

Claire blinked as the rabbit darted past their headlights.

— This place is like a zoo. I bet bears wander the roads.

Daniel chuckled.

— We’re here.

The gates opened. Ethan stepped out—and Claire froze. He looked like a different man: tanned, healthy, strong.

— Mom! Dad! I missed you.

They embraced. Claire teared up.

— Ethan, look at you…

— It’s thanks to Rachel. And the bees. You wouldn’t believe how fascinating beekeeping is.

Rachel appeared on the porch, radiant and smiling. She hugged Claire and Daniel warmly.

— Thank you, — Claire said, her voice shaking. — You’ve done what top doctors couldn’t.

They unpacked. Dinner was warm and comforting—fresh-baked bread, soup, garden vegetables. Ethan uncorked a bottle.

— Dad, try this. Home-brewed mead.

Daniel laughed.

— You’re real homesteaders now!

Everyone drank—except Rachel.

Claire raised an eyebrow.

— Still mad at me?

Rachel blushed.

— I just… can’t drink.

Claire turned to Ethan, alarmed.

— What’s wrong?

Ethan grinned.

— Nothing’s wrong. We’re having a baby.

The silence broke with tears, laughter, hugs.

Then Claire stood up and declared:

— That’s it. I’m staying here for a few weeks. We need supplies, I need a car—Daniel, buy me one. A big one. We’re taking Rachel to the city for delivery. She’s not giving birth in the woods!

Everyone laughed. Claire, a little embarrassed, added:

— I just want what’s best.

Rachel hugged her tightly.

— I’ll listen to you. Ethan’s no help with baby stuff, and I’m nervous.

Claire held her close.

— Don’t worry, sweetheart. I’m here.