“Stop talking to your mumshes a bad influence on you,” said Daniel, not even looking up from his phone.
Emily froze in the middle of the kitchen, her tea cup halfway to her lips. Had she heard him right?
“What?” was all she managed.
“I mean it,” Daniel finally met her eyes. “Your mums always interfering. Every time she visits, we end up rowing over something.”
“Dan, how can you say that?” Emily set the cup down, hands shaking. “Shes my mumshes all Ive got.”
“Thats exactly why you cant see how toxic this is,” Daniel stood, pacing the kitchen. “Every visit leaves a mess. The house isnt tidy enough, I dont treat you right, I dont earn enoughits always something.”
Emily sank into a chair. Her mums words from last night echoed in her head: *”Love, why was Dan shouting over dinner? I dont like how he speaks to you.”*
“She just worries about me,” Emily said quietly. “She wants me to be happy.”
“She wants to drive a wedge between us!” Daniel snapped. “Cant you see? She cant stand that youre married. She had you to herself all these years, and now she has to share.”
“Dan, thats ridiculous” Emilys eyes stung. “She was over the moon at our wedding!”
“Was she?” Daniel scoffed. “Remember what she said when we got engaged? *Dont rush, Emmaybe sleep on it.*”
“She just wanted me to be sure”
“She wanted you to back out!” he cut in. “And now shes picking our marriage apart. Every time she visits, we fight. Dont you notice?”
Emily wiped her eyes with her sleeve. It was trueafter her mum left, she and Daniel always bickered. But surely it wasnt *her* fault
“Its just coincidence,” she mumbled.
“No, its not,” Daniel said firmly. “She plants doubts in your headtells you Im lazy, that you deserve better. Then you come at me with complaints.”
“I dont”
“Last week, who had a go at me for watching footy instead of fixing the shelf? Who put *that* idea in your head?”
Emily went quiet. Her mum *had* mentioned that *real men* help around the house.
“See?” Daniel pressed. “And suddenly youre upset we dont spend enough time together. Whered that come from? Mum again?”
“She just said couples should talk more”
“Exactly!” Daniel slapped the table. “She twists your thoughts, and then you come at me with new grievances. We were fine before she started visiting every other day.”
Emily tried to remember. The first months after the wedding, her mum kept her distance, saying newlyweds needed space. Then Dad passed, and she started dropping by more often.
“Shes lonely since Dad died,” Emily said. “She needs me.”
“I get that,” Daniels voice softened. “But she cant take her grief out on *us*. Em, thinkwe hardly argue when shes not here. But the moment she walks in, you turn into someone else.”
“Someone else?”
“Uptight. Critical. Like her voice is coming out of you, not yours.”
Emily bit her lip. Maybe he was right. After her mums visits, she *did* start nitpickingthings shed never noticed before.
“But what do I say to her?” she asked helplessly. *Tell my own mum I dont want to see her?*
“You dont have to cut her off,” Daniel sighed. “Just meet for coffee sometimesneutral ground.”
“Dan, I cant just Shes *Mum*. After Dad, its only me now.”
“And youve got *me*,” he reminded her. “I wont let her meddle in our marriage forever.”
Emilys chest tightened. Choosing between her husband and her mumhow was that fair?
“Listen,” Daniel took her hands. “Im not asking you to ghost her. But set boundaries. Dont share every detail of our lives. Dont bring her opinions into our home. Just create some space.”
“What if shes hurt?”
“And what if *Im* hurt that my wife values her mums advice over mine?” he countered.
Emily exhaled. There was logic in his words, but it didnt make the knot in her stomach unravel.
That evening, her mum called.
“Em, darling, how are you?” Her voice was warm. “Dans not cross about yesterday, is he?”
“Mum, why would he be?”
“Oh, I only mentioned the flat felt drafty. Maybe he thought I was having a dig at him.”
Emily remembered Dans grumble after shed left: *”Nothings ever good enough. Too cold, too hot, stews too saltybloody hell.”*
“Its fine, Mum,” she said carefully.
“You know, Ive been thinkingmaybe you should get a job? Itd do you good to get out. Extra money never hurts.”
“Mum, Dan and I agreed Id stay home for now”
“*You* agreed, or *he* decided?” Her tone sharpened. “Emily, youve got a degreewhy waste it cooped up?”
“I *like* being at home,” Emily said, but even she heard the doubt in her voice.
“Do you? Or have you just convinced yourself you do?” A pause. “Love, I worry youre losing yourself in this marriage.”
“Mum, dont”
“I *have* to. Who else will be honest? You used to be so independent. Now youre fading.”
After hanging up, Emily sat at the kitchen table for ages. *Had* she changed?
When Dan got home, she blurted: “Why dont you want me to work?”
Dan froze mid-way unzipping his jacket. “Let me guessMums idea?”
“Whats it matter? Im asking *you*.”
“Em, we talked about this. Why stress over a job? My salary covers us fine.”
“But I could contribute”
“And whod run the house? Cook dinner?” He hung his coat. “I come home knackeredI want my wife here, our home cosy.”
“Plenty of couples manage”
“Plenty divorce, too,” he cut in. “Em, why stir trouble? Are you unhappy at home?”
“No, but”
“Exactly. Your mums putting nonsense in your head.” He pulled her close. “I want whats best for *us*.”
Emily leaned into him, but her mums words nagged: *Youre losing yourself.*
The next day, her mum turned up unannounced, groceries in hand.
“Making a roast,” she declared, bustling in. “Youve not had a proper meal in ages.”
“Mum, I eat fine”
“Frozen pizzas and pasta dont count,” she tutted, unloading vegetables. “Wheres the fresh greens? Proper meat?”
“I *have* veggies”
“Potatoes and carrots are *sides*, love.” She waved a hand. “Let me feed you properly.”
As she cooked, she chatted about her neighbours, her gardenthen, casually: “Why was Dan so moody last week?”
“Work stress”
“Hes not taking it out on you?” Her eyes narrowed. “Tell me the truth, Em.”
“Mum, were *fine*.”
“Fine?” She set down the spoon. “Youve lost weight. Those dark circlesare you sleeping?”
Emily touched her face. Lately, she *had* been restlessalways tense after small spats with Dan.
“Just a bit tired”
“From what? Youre home all day, no kids” Her mum gripped her shoulder. “Sweetheart, if hes unkind, you *tell* me.”
“Hes *not*”
“Then why do you seem so small? You used to light up a room. Now youre like a shadow.”
The front door openedDan home early.
“Oh, your mums here,” he said flatly, stepping into the kitchen.
“Hello, Dan,” her mum smiled. “Roasts nearly doneperfect timing.”
“Not hungry. Ate at work.”
“Dont be sillyhomemade roasts always welcome.”
“*I said no.*” His voice was ice.
A beat of silence. Her mum blinked.
“Dan,” Emily pleaded, “maybe later? Mum just got here”
“*Now.* We need to talk.” He jerked his head toward the bedroom.
Behind the closed door, Dan hissed: “We agreed*no more unplanned visits*.”
“She just *dropped by*”
“And you couldnt say you were
