Your mothers, so its on you! I snapped, but shed had enough.
Emma buttoned her sons coat, grinding her teeth to keep her rage in check. It was another dreaded day a visit to her motherinlaw. From the start their relationship had been a constant battleground.
Margaret Whitfield had never accepted Emma as her sons wife. No matter what Emma did, Margaret could always find a flaw, a criticism to hurl.
Again, Emma? James sighed, watching her tightlipped expression. You dont want to go, do you?
Emma let out a bitter laugh.
Do you really have to ask? Honestly, James, you know why I dont want to be there!
Her eyes blazed.
Shell pick on me again, put me down, say Im not raising our boy properly! And she doesnt care that I work, run the house, cook, clean and pay every bill! Im the one holding this family together!
But youre home all day, James replied, shrugging.
Emmas stare grew darker.
Oh, really? You think Im just sitting around doing nothing? Or that money falls from the sky?
I work too, he growled. Its not my fault Im not paid more.
The truth was that Emma, as a freelance designer, earned three times what James did. She was the familys breadwinner.
Cant you go alone? she asked, hoping for a way out.
Emma, its Mothers Day. You cant just ignore my mum!
She swallowed a sigh, finished dressing the boy, and two hours later they were at Margarets.
In the sitting room, Jamess niece, Lucy, was already perched on the sofa. Emma had long noticed that Margaret favoured Lucy, treating her like royalty while barely acknowledging her own grandson. It was no surprise Lucys parents had died five years earlier, and Margaret had raised her as her own.
Around them, Margarets sisters cackled loudly, clinking wine glasses.
Then, abruptly, Margaret dropped a bombshell.
Ive made a decision, she announced solemnly. Im leaving my flat to Lucy. You, James, already have a home.
James didnt even flinch; he merely nodded.
A few days later the paperwork was done. The flat now belonged to Lucy, on the condition she could only move in after Margarets death.
But fate had other plans.
A sudden stroke left Margaret paralysed and unable to look after herself.
Well have to move in with Mum, James declared, firm. She cant be left alone.
A cold shiver ran through Emma. She knew exactly what that meant she would have to feed, dress, bathe her, all while working and caring for their son.
She said nothing.
Weeks slipped by and Emmas patience wore thin.
Until one night she finally erupted.
James, Lucys flat belongs to her. Shouldnt she be looking after mum?
Lucys at university, James. She even has a boyfriend. You want him moving in here?
Emma let out a dry, icy laugh.
James, I cant take this any longer!
He crossed his arms.
Oh, I see. Youre already exhausted?
Her hands trembled with fury.
Im suffocating! Everything hinges on me you, your mother, our child, my job I cant go on!
But you work from home, he murmured, smug.
Emmas stare cut sharper than broken glass.
And so what? You think Im not really working?
Her heart pounded.
You know what? From now on its your turn to look after your mother!
Its my mother, but its also your motherinlaw! Thats your role! You expect me to wash her, perhaps?
A deathly silence fell.
Then Emma said, voice calm and frosty:
I owe you nothing.
James chuckled.
In that case, hire a care worker!
Oh? Youll pay for her?
Why should I foot the bill?!
No care worker then.
He crossed his arms again.
You could use mums pension. Or your salary.
Jamess face hardened.
And why do I even have a wife?
That was the trigger. Something inside Emma shattered for good. The truth shone blindingly clear James had been using her for years. And Lucy hadnt even bothered to visit her grandmother.
That night Emma didnt sleep. By morning she knew what she had to do. As soon as James left the house, she packed their sons things and walked out. She sent one short text, then blocked his number:
I wont carry this burden alone any more.
That evening James stormed back.
Either you come back, or Ill file for divorce!
Emma gave a soft smile.
Fine then. I was about to.
For the first time James looked lost. She wasnt waiting for apologies; her mind was made up.
A month later the divorce was final. James never apologised.
And Emma?
She never regretted leaving.
Six months on, Emma heard the news Margaret had died.
And Lucy?
She threw James out without a flicker of remorse.
Only then did he realise what hed lost. Hed lost everything.
