A Shocking Encounter at the Market with My Ex-Mother-in-Law: She Was Unrecognisable!
One Saturday at the market, I spotted my ex-mother-in-law. She had changed so muchher face worn with age, her shoulders slumped. Without hesitation, I rushed over, greeting her warmly before we fell into conversation about life. She never once complained about her son, but I could tellthings were hard for her. When we parted, she insisted I call her the next day. My heart ached for her. Id lived in her home for ten years, treated like family. Then her son brought in a new wife, claiming shed be better than me.
Wed moved in with his mother right after the wedding. Oliver had argued there was no need to buy a househis mum had no one else, hed said, and the place would be ours eventually. His words left a bitter taste in my mouthhe shouldnt have spoken like that. But his mother? She was kindness itself. A quiet, warm-hearted woman who made me feel at home.
After the marriage, Oliver changed. Even the birth of our son did nothing to bridge the growing distance between us. I didnt feel lovedonly tolerated. The one person I could confide in was his mother. Out of respect, I never spoke ill of her son, but she understood. She helped me raise my boytaking him to nursery, then school, always cooking for us, always there.
Ten years passed before Oliver dropped the bombshellhe wanted a divorce. He refused to leave the houseit was his, he said. I had to go. For the first time, his mother spoke up, begging him to reconsider, to think of the family, of our son. But it was no use. His mind was made up. I packed my things and left. He moved his new wife in straight after. I ended up renting a room from an elderly woman.
Lifes hard now. My wages barely cover the basics, and my son and I live at the mercy of a landlady whos never satisfied. She finds fault with everythingweve taken to eating meals in our room just to avoid her.
Then, at the local market, I saw my ex-mother-in-law again. Her eyes were hollow with sadness. She didnt complain, but I knewshe wasnt happy in that house anymore. We spoke honestly. She begged me to call her. Ive never felt so helpless. Id take her inwe could lean on each other, she could help me, and God knows she deserves better. But I dont even have a place of my own. What do I do?
