Dear Diary,
Your mother so its your responsibility! he snapped, yet Emily clenched her teeth, buttoning her sons coat, fighting the fury that rose inside her. Yet another dreaded day lay ahead: a visit to her motherinlaws house. From the moment theyd met, the relationship had felt like a constant battlefield.
Margaret Harris had never truly accepted Emily as her sons wife. No matter what Emily did, Margaret seemed to find a fault, a fresh criticism ready to be hurled.
Again, Emily? Mark sighed, noticing the tight set of her jaw. You dont want to go, do you?
Emily let out a bitter laugh.
Are you really asking me that, Mark? You know exactly why Im dreading it.
Her eyes flared.
Shell moan at me again, put me down, tell me Im not raising our boy right! As if she doesnt see that I work, run the household, cook, clean and pay every bill. Im the one keeping this family afloat!
But youre at home all day, Mark replied, shrugging.
Emilys stare darkened.
Oh really? You think I just sit around doing nothing? Or that money falls from the sky?
I work too, he growled. Its not my fault the pay isnt higher.
The truth was that Emilys freelance design income was three times Marks salary. She was the breadwinner.
Cant you go alone? she asked, hoping for an out.
Its Mothers Day, Emily. You cant just ignore her.
She forced a sigh, finished dressing their son, and two hours later they were at Margarets front door.
In the sitting room, Marks niece Lily was already perched on the sofa. Emily had long sensed that Margaret favored Lily, treating her like royalty while barely acknowledging her own grandson. It made sense; Lilys parents had died five years earlier, and Margaret had raised her as her own.
Around them, Margarets sisters laughed loudly, clinking glasses of wine.
Then Margaret dropped a bombshell.
Ive made a decision, she declared. Ill leave the flat to Lily. You, Mark, already have a home.
Mark didnt flinch. He simply nodded.
A few days later the paperwork was done. The flat would belong to Lily, on the condition that she only moved in after Margarets death.
But fate had other plans. A sudden stroke left Margaret paralysed, unable to look after herself.
Well have to move in with Mum, Mark said firmly. She cant be left alone.
A cold wave ran through Emilys body. She knew what that meant: she would have to feed, dress, bathe Margaret while still working and looking after their son.
She said nothing.
Weeks passed and the pressure built until one evening she finally exploded.
Mark, the flat belongs to Lily. Shouldnt she be the one caring for Mum?
Lilys at university, Emily. She has a boyfriend. You expect her to bring him here?
Emily laughed, a sharp, icy sound.
Mark, I cant take this any longer!
He crossed his arms.
Oh, I see. Youre already exhausted?
Her hands shook with anger.
Im suffocating! Everything rests on me you, your mother, our child, my job I cant go on!
But you work from home, he murmured, smug.
Emilys gaze cut sharper than broken glass.
And what? You think Im not really working?
Her heart hammered.
You know what? From now on its your turn to look after your mother.
Its my mother, but its also your motherinlaw! Thats your duty! You want me to wash her, perhaps?
A deathly silence fell.
Then Emily spoke, voice calm and cold:
I owe you nothing.
Mark chuckled.
In that case hire a carer then!
Oh? Youll pay for it?
Why should I be the one to pay?
Then there wont be any carer.
He crossed his arms again.
Use your mothers pension. Or maybe your salary?
Marks face hardened.
Then why do I even have a wife?
That was the spark. Something inside Emily finally snapped. Everything became blindingly clear. Mark had been using her for years. And Lily? She never even visited her grandmother.
That night Emily lay awake. By morning she knew what she had to do.
The moment Mark left the house, Emily packed her bag, took their son, and walked out. She sent a single text and blocked his number:
I wont carry this burden alone any longer.
Later that evening Mark stormed in.
Either you come back, or Im filing for divorce!
Emily gave a soft smile.
Go ahead. I was about to.
For the first time Mark looked lost. She didnt wait for his apologies. Her decision was set.
A month later the divorce was final. Mark never offered an apology.
And Emily? She never regretted leaving.
Six months on, she heard the news: Margaret had passed away.
Lily? She threw Mark out without a hint of remorse.
Only then did Mark realise the full extent of his loss. He had nothing left.
Lesson learned: a partnership built on equality and mutual respect is the only way to avoid becoming a lone carrier of someone elses weight.
