Author: Emily Nguyen Le
I trusted my husband. I never questioned his long hours at the hospital, never doubted his words—until one night, a single slip shattered everything I thought I knew about him. I always loved watching him speak. The way his eyes would glisten when he talked about medicine, how his voice carried that quiet authority—steady, reassuring, the voice of a man who had dedicated his life to healing others. It was one of the first things I fell for, the way he could turn even the most complex medical jargon into something fascinating. Dr. Nathan, my husband of eight years, and…
We’ve been married for 5 years. My wife has 3 kids from her past marriage—two daughters (15 and 13) and a son (11). I have my own daughter, Anna, who’s 7. For illustration purposes only. Since day one, I’ve treated her kids as my own, providing for them, supporting them, and making sure they never feel like they’re anything less than family. Lately, I realized that my wife hasn’t extended that same effort to my daughter. It’s subtle—she’s never outright cruel, but it’s in the way she barely acknowledges her. She asks her kids how their day was, checks in…
I’ve never lived with my mom and I don’t see her as much as I’d like, but we try to have dinner together every now and then. I love her and respect her, despite the distance between us. On the other hand, things were not easy for me at home with my dad and stepmom, and it got worse. My complicated relationship with my stepmom hit a breaking point when she called my mom “a disaster” for the millionth time. I told my dad, “Make her stop, or I’m leaving.” He didn’t even look at me. He was silent, so…
At least eight people are reported to have died along America’s Gulf Coast due to a ‘flesh-eating’ bacteria, prompting health departments to issue warnings on how to take action. The Louisiana Department of Health released its alert on the bacteria, called Vibrio vulnificus, on July 30, at which time 17 cases had been reported in the state. All of those 17 cases were hospitalized, and four resulted in death. In Florida, the latest data from July 24 reports 13 cases of the infection, and another four deaths. In its release, the Louisiana health department said it had noted an ‘increase’…
It was a rainy Saturday morning when James Whitmore stepped into a quiet little café on 42nd Street with his four-year-old daughter, Lily. The street outside was slick with rain, the soft patter against the window matching the quiet inside James’s mind. He used to be a man of laughter and light. A tech innovator turned millionaire by thirty, James had everything—success, respect, and above all, love. Amelia, his wife, had been the heart of his world. Her laughter had filled their home, her kindness had softened the hardest days. But two years ago, a car crash took her away.…
Love isn’t supposed to have conditions. But for my sister, it did. Without an ounce of guilt, she gave up her adopted daughter after having a biological son. As I tried to comprehend the cruelty, she simply shrugged and said, “She wasn’t really mine anyway.” But karma was already at her door. There are moments that shatter you, crack open your chest, and leave you gasping for air. For me, it was four simple words my sister said about her four-year-old adopted daughter: “I gave her back.” We hadn’t seen my sister Erin in months. She lived a few states…
The dream for a child was so powerful that it filled every corner of Ella and Eric hearts, driving them to do whatever it took to make it a reality. After many failed attempts to fall pregnant and plenty of money spent on treatments and IVF, they realized the fact that they wouldn’t be having a child on their own. Therefore, they decided to adopt. But that was easier said than done. For illustrative purposes only. Because Eric was highly busy managing the business, it was Ella who was left to control the process, contacting agencies, filling paperwork, and checking…
With summer approaching, we’re increasingly dealt with these unwanted intruders: flies, midges, and other insects. These little critters often handle to infiltrate our homes, leading to not only irritation but also health concerns. Fortunately, it’s possible to maintain them away without resorting to expensive insecticides or sprays. There are simple, natural solutions you can make yourself, free from harmful substances and with proven effectiveness. For illustrative purposes only. Store-bought insect traps are often neither environmentally friendly nor economical because they consist of unwanted chemicals. Why not benefit from a homemade alternative made with ingredients you probably already have in your…
I never expected my quiet life to turn upside down, but then a child arrived at our home, changing everything. He wasn’t meant to stay, yet I saw the bond growing. When the time came to let him go, I had to act. Could I help him find where he truly belonged before it was too late? Who would have thought that at my age, I could still find trouble to get myself into? You would think I had seen enough in my lifetime to know better, but life has a funny way of surprising you. Of course, like any…
Since his wife passed away two years ago, Jonathan Hale had become more machine than man. Each day followed a strict, numbing rhythm: wake before dawn, check the stock exchange, drive to the office before traffic hit, and plunge into work with robotic precision. He owned one of the most powerful investment firms in the city and had more wealth than he knew what to do with—but very little love left to give. For illustrative purposes only. At home, the grand penthouse in downtown Manhattan echoed with silence. The only real presence was Oliver, his eight-year-old son—fragile, pale, and confined to a hospital…