“You took my son from me, and I’ll take everything from you,” hissed the mother-in-law.
“Emily, why are you up so early?” Margaret Bennett called from her bedroom, peering out with sleep-heavy eyes. “It’s half past six in the morning.”
“I need to get to work early today,” Emily replied, shoving papers into her bag. “Theres an unscheduled team meeting.”
Margaret shuffled into the kitchen in her slippers, clattering dishes loudly. Emily tried to slip past unnoticed, but it was no use.
“What about breakfast? Do you want my boy going to work on an empty stomach?”
“Daniels a grown man. He can make his own breakfast,” Emily muttered, pulling on her coat and patting her pockets for keys.
“Oh, is that so?” Margaret turned sharply, arms crossed. “In my day, a wife knew her duties. Women took care of their husbands properly.”
Emily inhaled deeply. This same conversation had played out every morning since Margaret had moved in after her illness six months ago. The constant nitpicking, the endless meddlingit was suffocating.
“Margaret, Daniel and I decide things together. We have an equal partnership.”
“Equal partnership!” Margaret scoffed. “My boy never went hungry under my roof. Now look at himhes wasting away.”
Emily bit her tongue before pointing out that Daniel, at thirty-two, was hardly a “boy.” Arguing with Margaret was like shouting into the wind.
“Fine, Im late. Daniels still asleepwake him at eight.”
“Oh, Ill wake him, dont you worry. At least *I* know my responsibilities.”
At work, Emily couldnt concentrate. Her colleague Sophie noticed her distraction by lunch.
“Everything alright? You look exhausted.”
“Its just the usual with my mother-in-law. Every day, its somethingthe way I cook, the way I clean, even how I talk to Daniel.”
“And he doesnt stick up for you?”
Emily gave a bitter laugh.
“Hardly. To him, his mothers a saint. Says shes been ill, that we need to be patient.”
“Right. How longs she staying with you, then?”
“Who knows? The doctors cleared her ages ago, but Daniels terrified to let her live alone. What if something happens?”
Sophie shook her head sympathetically.
“Bloody hell, Em. I cant stand mine, and I only see her at Christmas.”
That evening, Emily returned home starving. The flat smelled of roast beef and mashed potatoes. Daniel sat on the sofa with a plate in hand, eyes glued to the telly.
“Hey, love. How was work?” he asked, not looking up.
“Fine. Whats for dinner?”
“Mum made roast beef. Theres some left in the kitchen.”
Emily walked in to find Margaret washing up.
“Evening, Margaret.”
“Evening,” came the curt reply, back still turned.
Emily lifted the lid of the roasting dish. One slice of beef and a spoonful of mash sat congealing at the bottom.
“Is this all there is?”
“Problem?” Margaret finally faced her. “Thought you were watching your figure. Always moaning about your jeans being tight.”
“I dont moan. I just mentioned it once.”
“Exactly. Im looking out for your health.”
Emily took the plate to the living room. Daniel was absorbed in a nature documentary.
“Dan, can we talk?”
“Course. Whats up?”
“Go look in the kitchen. See how much dinner your mum left me.”
Daniel sighed but went. When he returned, he shrugged.
“So? Its a normal portion.”
“Normal for a sparrow, maybe. Dan, Ive been at work all day. Im starving, and theres barely enough for one bite.”
“Mum!” he called toward the kitchen. “Whys there so little left?”
“Darling, I thought Emily wasnt that hungry. Shes always talking about losing weight.”
“See?” Daniel turned back to Emily. “Mum was trying to help.”
Something inside Emily boiled over.
“Dan, your mother *deliberately* leaves me scraps. Every. Single. Day.”
“Dont be ridiculous. Shes a kind woman.”
“Kind to *you*. To me, she treats me like a bad housekeeper.”
A loud sniffle came from the kitchen. Daniel shot up.
“Now youve upset her! Shes not well!”
“And I am?”
But he was already gone, murmuring comforts to Margaret. Emily sat alone, staring at her cold plate.
Later, Daniel returned, sheepish.
“Sorry, love. Mums really fragile. Says she feels like a burden.”
“Good. She *is*.”
“Emily!”
“What? Were a young couple. Were supposed to be building our life, not living under constant surveillance.”
“Shes not spyingshe cares!”
“Cares?” Emily laughed bitterly. “She critiques *everything*how I do laundry, how I cook, even my tone with you!”
Daniel sat beside her.
“Look, just hang in there a bit longer. Shell settle down. Then well find her a nice flat nearby.”
“When?”
“I dont know. But we will.”
The next day, Emily left work early to cook dinner herself. She bought ingredients, hopeful for a peaceful evening.
But as she unlocked the front door, Margarets voice floated out:
“Yes, darling, I understand your wife. Young, inexperienced. But my patience has limits.”
Emily froze. Daniels murmured reply was too quiet to hear.
“always so *discontent*,” Margaret went on. “Nothings ever good enough. You know, Daniel, perhaps you married too quickly?”
A chill ran down Emilys spine. She stepped loudly into the kitchen.
“Evening.”
“Oh, Emily! We didnt hear you,” Margaret said, not a hint of guilt in her voice. “How was work?”
“Fine. I thought Id make dinner.”
“No needIve made your favourite. Shepherds pie.”
“Thanks, Mum,” Daniel said quickly. “You dont mind, do you, Em?”
“Of course not,” Emily lied.
Dinner was strained. Daniel talked about work; Margaret cooed over him. Emily ate in silence.
“Emily, any plans this weekend?” Margaret asked sweetly.
“Not really. Why?”
“I need Daniel to take me to the GP. Some tests.”
“Course, Mum. No problem.”
“Good. I was worried Emily mightve *claimed* you already.”
The words dripped with mockery. Emily looked upand saw triumph in Margarets eyes.
That night, Daniel slipped into bed late.
“You alright?”
“Fine.”
“Em Mums been saying odd things.”
“Like what?”
“That our marriage mightve been a mistake.”
Emily sat up.
“And you said?”
“That we love each other and can handle anything.”
“Daniel, your mother *hates* me. She wants to split us up.”
“Dont be daft. Shes just protective.”
“She wants me *gone*.”
Daniel sighed.
“Just ignore her. Shell calm down.”
The next day, Daniel worked from home. Emily asked him to watch Margaret closely.
When she returned, his face told her everything.
“Well?”
He rubbed his temples.
“You were right. Mums been odd.”
“Whatd she do?”
“Spent all day criticising you. Then outright said I shouldnt have married you.”
“And you said?”
“That I love you and wont let anyone interfere.”
“And she?”
Daniel hesitated.
“She cried. Said Id chosen a wife over my own mother.”
“Classic guilt trip.”
“Em, shes *ill*. Her nerves”
“How long will you excuse her? Shes *trying* to ruin us!”
“Fine. Ill talk to her.”
The next morning, raised voices woke Emily.
“dont see what shes *really* like!” Daniel argued.
“Mum, *stop*! Emilys my wiferespect her!”
“Respect? For *stealing* my son?”
Emily stood in the doorway. Margaret turned, eyes blazing.
“You took my son, and Ill take *everything* from you.”
“*Mum!*” Daniel shouted.
“Everything?” Emily asked calmly.
“Youll see. Think I dont know how to deal with your kind? Forty years Ive seen women like yously, manipulative”
“Margaret, is that a *threat*?”
“A *warning*. My son will live as *I* say. Cross me, and youll regret it.”
Daniel stood, pale. “Mum, what the hell?”
“Or what, *Daniel*? Youll kick out your sick mother?” Margarets voice cracked. “Fine. Lets see how long *she* stays once Im done.”
She stormed out. Daniel slumped.
“Christ, Em I never thought shed”
“Now do you believe me?”
He pulled her close. “She wont do anything. I wont let her.”
But Emily knewthis was just the beginning. Margaret had declared war. And she fought *dirty*.
