“You took my son from me, and I’ll take everything from you,” said the mother-in-law.
“Emily, why are you up so early?” asked Margaret Wilson, peering out from her bedroom. “Its half past six in the morning.”
“Ive got to be at work early today,” Emily replied, quickly shoving documents into her bag. “Theres an unexpected staff meeting.”
Her mother-in-law shuffled to the kitchen in her slippers and began clattering dishes. Emily tried to slip past unnoticed, but no such luck.
“What about breakfast? Youll let my boy go to work hungry?”
“Daniels a grown manhe can make his own breakfast,” Emily said, pulling on her coat and searching for her keys.
“Oh, is that so?” Margaret turned to face her fully. “In my day, a wife knew her duties. Women took care of their husbands.”
Emily sighed deeply. This conversation happened every morning, ever since Margaret had moved in six months ago after her illness. She still hadnt adjusted to the constant scrutiny and nitpicking.
“Margaret, Daniel and I decide together who does what. We believe in equality at home.”
“Equality!” Margaret scoffed. “My boy never went a day hungry under my roof. Now I see him losing weight.”
Emily bit back the urge to point out that a thirty-year-old man wasnt a “boy.” Arguing with Margaret was like tilting at windmills.
“Look, Im running late. Daniels still asleepcould you wake him at eight?”
“Oh, Ill wake him, dont you worry. I know my responsibilities, unlike some people.”
At work, Emily struggled to focus. Her colleague Natalie noticed her distracted state before lunch.
“Whats wrong? You look exhausted,” she said, settling into the chair beside Emilys desk with a coffee.
“Same old story with my mother-in-law. Every day its somethingmy cooking, my cleaning, how I talk to Daniel.”
“And he doesnt stick up for you?”
Emily gave a bitter laugh.
“Hardly. His mothers practically a saint to him. Says shes been ill and stressed, so we should be understanding.”
“Right. How much longer is she staying with you?”
“Who knows? Officially, shes recoveredthe doctors say she can live alone. But Daniels too scared to let her go in case something happens.”
Natalie shook her head sympathetically.
“Thats rough, Em. I can barely stand mine, let alone live under the same roof.”
That evening, Emily returned home tired and starving. The flat smelled of roast beef and potatoes. Daniel sat on the sofa with a plate in his lap, watching TV.
“Hi, love,” he said without looking up. “How was work?”
“Fine. Whats for dinner?”
“Mum made roast beefits brilliant. Theres more in the kitchen.”
Emily walked in to find Margaret washing dishes.
“Good evening, Margaret.”
“Evening,” came the curt reply, her back still turned.
Emily lifted the lid of the pot. Inside was one slice of beef and a spoonful of potatoes.
“This is all thats left?”
“Too much?” Margaret finally faced her. “Thought you were on a diet. Youre always moaning about putting on weight.”
“I dont moanI just said my jeans feel tight sometimes.”
“Well, there you go. Im looking out for you.”
Emily took her plate to the living room, where Daniel was engrossed in a nature documentary.
“Dan, can we talk?”
“Sure. What about?”
“Go to the kitchen and see how much food your mum left me.”
Daniel sighed and trudged off, returning moments later.
“So? Its a normal portion.”
“For a sparrow, maybe. Dan, I worked all dayIm starving, and theres barely enough for one.”
“Mum!” he called toward the kitchen. “Whys there so little left?”
“Daniel, I thought Emily wasnt very hungry. Shes always talking about wanting to slim down.”
“See?” Daniel turned to his wife. “Mum was trying to help.”
Emily felt something boil inside her.
“Dan, your mother deliberately gives me scraps. Its the same every day.”
“Dont be daft. Mums a kind woman.”
“Kind to you. To me, she acts like Im hired help whos not doing a good enough job.”
A loud sniffle came from the kitchen. Daniel jumped up.
“Now look what youve done! Youve upset hershes not well!”
“And I am?”
But he was already off to comfort Margaret. Emily sat alone with her half-eaten meal.
Later, when the kitchen had quieted, Daniel returned, sheepish.
“Sorry, Em. Mums really struggling. Says she feels like a burden here.”
“Good. She should.”
“Emily!”
“What? Were a young couplewe should be living our own lives. Instead, were under constant surveillance.”
“Shes not spyingshe cares.”
“Cares? She critiques everything I do! How I wash clothes, cook, even how I speak to you.”
Daniel sat beside her on the sofa.
“Listen, lets hang in a bit longer. Mum will adjust. Then well find her a nice flat nearby.”
“When will that happen?”
“I dont know. But it will, I promise.”
The next day, Emily came home early to cook dinner herself. Shed bought ingredients, hoping for a peaceful evening.
But as she opened the door, she heard Margarets voice:
“Yes, Daniel, I understand your wifes young and inexperienced. But my patience isnt endless.”
Emily froze in the hallway. Daniel replied quietly, but she caught his words:
“Mum, dont say that. Emilys a good woman.”
“Good, but not for you. Look how thin youve got! And that temper of hersalways complaining, never satisfied.”
“Shes just tired from work.”
“Work, work! What about home? Family? Her priorities are all wrong. Daniel, I cant help wonderingdid you rush into this marriage?”
A chill ran down Emilys spine. She quietly took off her shoes and walked into the kitchen, pretending she hadnt heard.
“Good evening,” she said calmly.
“Oh, Emily, we didnt hear you!” Margaret didnt even feign embarrassment. “How was work?”
“Fine. I thought Id make dinner tonight.”
“No needIve already done it. Made your favorite beef stew,” she said, smiling at Daniel.
“Thanks, Mum. You dont mind, do you, Em?”
“Of course not,” Emily lied.
Dinner was strained. Daniel chatted about work while Margaret fussed over him. Emily ate in silence, though the stew was delicious.
“Emily, any plans for the weekend?” Margaret asked suddenly.
“Not really. Why?”
“I was hoping Daniel could take me to the clinic. Need to get some tests done.”
“Sure, Mum. No problem.”
“Good. I was worried you might have other plans for my son.”
The barely veiled mockery in her voice was unmistakable. Emily looked up, meeting Margarets triumphant gaze.
After dinner, Emily retreated to the bedroom, claiming a headache. She lay there, thinking. Margaret had declared warand Daniel was oblivious to how his mother was turning him against her.
He came in late, finding Emily half-asleep.
“Hows your head?” he asked, sitting on the edge of the bed.
“Better.”
“Em, have you noticed how tense Mums been?”
“How so?”
“Just saying odd things. One minute she complains about living here, the next she refuses to leave.”
Emily propped herself up.
“Like what?”
“All sorts. Today she said shes scared our marriage might have been a mistake.”
“And what did you say?”
“That we love each other and can handle anything.”
“Daniel, your mother hates me. Shes trying to break us up.”
“Dont be ridiculous. Mums just protective.”
“She wants me gone.”
“Emily, youre overreacting. Mum says things she doesnt mean sometimes, but shes not cruel.”
“If you believe that, watch her tomorrow. Really watch.”
The next day, Daniel worked from home. Emily had asked him to observe his mother closely.
When she returned that evening, his expression told her everything.
“Well?” she asked once they were alone.
Daniel sighed heavily.
“You were right. Mums been behaving strangely.”
“What happened?”
“She spent the whole day talking about you. Said youre careless, disrespectful. Then outright told me I shouldnt have married you.”
“And you said?”
“That I love you and wont let anyone interfere.”
“And she?”
Daniel hesitated.
“She started crying. Said Id chosen a wife over my own mother.”
“Classic emotional blackmail.”
“Emily, shes unwell. Had surgery, nerves are shot.”
“Daniel, how long will you excuse her behavior with illness? Shes deliberately driving a wedge between us!”
“Fine, Ill talk to her. Tell her shes out of line.”
The next morning, Emily woke to raised voices in the kitchen. Daniel and Margaret were arguing.
“Son, you dont see what shes really like!”
“Mum, stop! Emilys my wifeI wont let you disrespect her.”
“Respect? For what? For turning you against your own mother?”
Emily got up and headed to the kitchen, pausing in the doorway.
Margaret stood flushed with anger. Daniel sat at the table, head in his hands.
“You took my son from me, and Ill take everything from you,” Margaret said, spotting Emily.
“Mum!” Daniel cried.
“What everything?” Emily asked calmly.
“Youll see. Think I dont know how to deal with your sort? Ive lived long enough to recognize scheming women. I know every weak spot.”
“Margaret, are you threatening me?”
“No, warning you. Leave now, before I tell my son what you really are.”
“And whats that?”
Margaret leaned in.
“A slut who seduced my boy. Think I dont know you slept with him before marriage? Think I dont see how youve bewitched him?”
Emily stepped back.
“Youre unwell.”
“Sick, but not blind. Ive seen women like youpretty, cunning. Wrap men around your finger, then bleed them dry.”
“I work. I earn my own money.”
“For now. Have kids, stay home, and youll leech off my son.”
Daniel appeared in the doorway.
“Whats going on?”
“Just girl talk,” Margaret said sweetly, tone flipping instantly. “Emily was telling me about work.”
“Right. Em, want to watch telly?”
That night, Emily lay awake. Margaret had launched her warand shed use any means to rid herself of an unwanted daughter-in-law.
Emily knew she had to tell Daniel everything. But she feared he wouldnt believe her. His mother was sacred; his wife still had to prove her loyalty.
Tomorrow would bring new battles. And Emily knewshe was losing this war before it had even begun.
