*Diary Entry 28th May 2024*
“Stop talking to your mothershes a bad influence on you.” Thats what Edward said, barely glancing up from his phone.
I froze in the middle of the kitchen, teacup in hand. Had I heard him right?
“What?” was all I managed.
“I mean it, Emily,” he finally looked at me. “Your mothers always meddling in our business. She stirs up trouble every time.”
“Ed, how can you say that?” My hands trembled as I set the cup down. “Shes my mum. The only one Ive got.”
“Exactly why you dont see how toxic she is,” he snapped, pacing the kitchen. “Every visit ends in a row. Last time, it was the wallpaper. Before that, she claimed I dont treat you rightor earn enough.”
I sank into a chair. Mums words from yesterday echoed in my head: *”Love, why did Edward snap at you over supper? I dont like his tone.”*
“She just worries about me,” I murmured.
“Shes driving a wedge between us!” Edwards voice rose. “Cant you see? She resents me for taking you away from her.”
“Thats not true! She was thrilled at our wedding.”
“Thrilled?” He scoffed. “Remember what she said when we got engaged? *Dont rush, Emily. Think it through.*”
“She only wanted me to be sure”
“She wanted you to back out!” he cut in. “Now shes picking apart our marriage. Every visit leaves us bickering. Dont you notice?”
I wiped my eyes with my sleeve. It was trueafter Mums visits, we always clashed. But surely it wasnt *her* fault
“Its just coincidence,” I said weakly.
“No. She plants doubts in your head. Tells you Im lacking. Then you come at me with complaints.”
“I dont”
“Last week, who yelled at me for watching footy instead of fixing the shelf? Who put that idea in your head?”
I faltered. Mum *had* mentioned that “a real man helps at home.”
“See?” Edward pressed. “And suddenly youre upset we dont spend enough time together. Whose idea was that?”
“Mum said couples should prioritise each other”
“Exactly!” He slammed the table. “She twists your thoughts, then you confront me. We were fine before she started visiting weekly.”
I tried to remember. After we married, Mum gave us spaceuntil Dad passed. Then she clung to me.
“Shes lonely, Ed. Im all she has left.”
“I get that,” he said, softer. “But she cant take her grief out on us. Think, Em. We hardly argue when shes not here. But the moment she arrives, you turn into someone else.”
“Someone else?”
“Critical. Distant. Like her voice is speaking through you.”
I chewed my lip. Maybe he was right. After Mums visits, I *did* scrutinise him more.
“But what do I tell her?” I whispered.
“Meet her for coffee instead. Keep our private life private.”
“I cant just shut her out.”
“Youve got a husband too,” he reminded me. “And I wont tolerate her interference.”
The ultimatum coiled in my chest. Choosing between Mum and Edward? Impossible.
That evening, Mum called. *”Darling, how are you? Is Edward still cross about yesterday?”*
“About what?”
*”Well, I mentioned the flat was drafty. Maybe he thought I criticised him.”*
I recalled Edwards muttered *”Nothings ever good enough for her.”*
“Its fine, Mum,” I said carefully.
*”You know, love you ought to find a job. Youre too clever to stay home.”*
“We agreed Id take time off”
*”We or *he* decided?”* Her tone sharpened. *”Youve a degree, Emily. Dont waste it.”*
“I like being home,” I said, but even I heard the doubt.
*”Do you? Or have you just convinced yourself?”*
Later, I confronted Edward. “Why dont you want me to work?”
He stiffened. “Your mothers idea?”
“Im asking *me*!”
“Em, we talked about this. My salary covers us. Why stress yourself?”
“But I could contribute”
“And whod keep the house? Cook meals?” He cupped my face. “I want to come home to *you*. Not an exhausted wife.”
“Other couples manage”
“Other couples divorce,” he said flatly. “Youre happy, arent you?”
“Yes.”
“Then stop letting her poison your mind.”
But Mums words festered: *”Youre fading in this marriage.”*
Next day, she arrived unannounced with groceries. *”Im making stew. Youve lost weight.”*
“I eat fine”
*”Ready meals and pasta?”* She clucked. *”Wheres the protein? The veg?”*
As she cooked, the chat turned to Edward. *”Why was he so glum last week?”*
“Work stress.”
*”He doesnt take it out on you?”* Her gaze drilled into me. *”Tell me the truth, Emily.”*
I touched my hollow cheeks. Lately, I *had* slept poorlybut was it Edwards fault, or this endless tug-of-war?
Then Edward came home early. *”Ah. Mother-in-laws here.”* His smile didnt reach his eyes.
*”Stews nearly ready!”* Mum chirped.
“Not hungry.” He turned to me. “We need to talk. Now.”
In the bedroom, he hissed, *”We agreed to boundaries.”*
“She just wanted to help”
“Help?” He gripped my shoulders. “Every helpful visit ends like this. Choose, Emily. Are you my wife, or her daughter?”
I crumpled onto the bed. How could I choose?
After he stormed out, Mum found me crying. *”What happened?”*
I met her eyesthe same ones that soothed my childhood scrapes. “Mum do you dislike Edward?”
*”I want you happy, darling.”*
“Thats not an answer.”
She sighed. *”Youve changed. You used to be so lively. Now youre small.”*
“*Small?*”
*”Afraid to speak up. Is that happiness?”*
I stared out the window. Was she right? Or was I just torn between their expectations?
Later, Edward returned to find me at the table, Mums untouched stew between us.
“Shes gone?”
I nodded.
“And?”
“You were right,” I admitted. “But shes still my mum. I wont cut her off.”
“Id never ask you to,” he said, pulling me close. “I just want *us* to come first.”
As I leaned into him, something unclenched in my chest. Maybe balance *was* possibleif we both fought for it.
**Lesson learned: Love shouldnt demand choice. But marriage means building a new familynot abandoning the old, but letting go of their grip.**
