“Gail keeps raving about your houseI want to see what youve wasted all that money on,” sneered Margaret Spencer, her lips curling with disdain.
For four grueling years, Olivia and Victor had poured their sweat and savings into building their dream two-story countryside home. Every spare moment had gone into renovations, and at last, the day had cometheir family had finally moved in.
With their three children, Olivia and Victor settled into their new home, hearts brimming with hope for the happy life ahead. Everything would have been perfectif only Victors mother hadnt resurfaced, the same woman who had ridiculed their plans as a foolish waste of money.
The moment they moved in, relatives had flocked to visit, eager to admire the house. Everyone had come within two monthseveryone except Victors mother, Margaret. Family and friends couldnt stop gushing about the place, and word inevitably reached her.
“Victor and Olivias house is like something out of a fairytale!” Margarets own sister had exclaimed. “Have you seen it?”
“Not yet,” Margaret replied coolly, feigning indifference.
That very evening, unable to resist, she texted her son, demanding photos.
“Gail wont stop praising your houseshow me what youve blown all that cash on,” she wrote with a smug edge.
Victor obliged without suspicion, sending a few snapshots. The moment she saw them, her displeasure was immediate.
“Interesting how no ones invited *me*,” she snapped. “The whole familys been, and yet here I amforgotten.”
“Maybe because you called the whole project nonsense from the start,” Victor reminded her.
“Oh, must you dredge up the past? Let sleeping dogs lie,” she retorted, her smile tight.
“Whoever forgets gets both eyes,” Victor countered sternly.
Quick to shift focus, Margaret circled back to the house.
“Text me the addressIm coming over,” she demanded.
Victor sent it, and the very next day, Margaret arrived unannounced.
Olivia, blindsidedVictor hadnt warned herstared at him in shock.
“Victor, why didnt you tell me?”
“I didnt think shed come so soon,” he admitted, just as surprised by her haste.
Margaret had brought gifts for the grandchildrenthree chocolate bars picked up on the way, a gesture Olivia noted with quiet skepticism. The children barely registered her presence; shed never shown much interest in them anyway.
She scrutinized every inch of the house, her face twisting with displeasure. Victor couldnt pinpoint what irked heruntil shed downed two glasses of champagne at dinner.
“Why should I rot in a flat like some pauper while *she* lives like a queen in this mansion?” Margaret hissed.
“Whats wrong with your flat? We sold your old one-bedder, added funds, and bought you a two-bedroom! And I send you eight hundred pounds every month. How exactly are you suffering?” Victor shot back.
“You think Im not grateful? I am! But *I* want a house too!”
“Mum, this is *our* dream home. Whats it got to do with you?”
“Everything!” she spat. “I birthed you, raised youdont I deserve some luxury? Why wasnt I invited?”
Olivia, listening in disbelief, cut in.
“Victor, shes jealous. All she cares about is control.”
Victor met her gaze, torn between guilt and frustration.
“Mum, this house is for *us*. Youve got a lovely flat”
“Lovely? Let *her* live there then! Ill take this place!”
Margarets venomous glare shifted to Olivia.
“You see how she repays us?” Olivia muttered. “Nothings ever enough.”
Margaret scoffed, reaching for the champagne.
Victor steered her onto the terrace.
“Mum, I cant take your bitterness anymore. The kids avoid you. Olivias exhausted. Living together isnt an option.”
“Bad grandmother, am I? Or is your *wife* whispering poison?”
“Listen carefully,” Victor said, voice steel. “This house is *our* happiness. I wont let you destroy it.”
“*Im* the destroyer? Thats *her* talking! No one cares how *I* feel!” Margarets lip trembled with rage. “Fine. Ive heard enough!”
She called a cab and stormed out without a word.
A month passed in strained silenceuntil Margaret called, furious. Shed decided to sell her flat and buy a house.
Buyers were lined upuntil she discovered Victor owned the deed.
“You tricked me! Left me with nothing!” she shrieked.
“I *paid* for that flat. Did I not have the right?”
“Selfish! All of you!” she howled before slamming the phone down.
She vanished after that, ignoring every attempt Victor made to reach her.
The fracture between mother and son remainedunyielding, unresolved.
