Thats your motherso shes your responsibility! he snapped, but shed had enough.
Emily buttoned up her sons coat, gritting her teeth to keep her frustration at bay. Another forced visit to her mother-in-law loomed aheada woman shed never gotten along with. From the very beginning, their relationship had been tense.
Margaret Thompson had long decided Emily wasnt the right wife for her son. No matter what Emily did, there was always criticism, some complaint, some grievance.
Emily, what now? Daniel sighed, watching her irritated expression. You dont want to go, do you?
Emily scoffed and shook her head.
Are you seriously asking me that? Honestly, Daniel! You know exactly why I dont want to go!
Her eyes burned with anger.
Shell lecture me again, nitpick everything, make problems where there arent any! Shell say Im raising our child wrongagain! And she couldnt care less that I work, that I run the entire house, cook, clean, and pay all the bills! Im the one supporting this family, Daniel!
Well, youre at home all day he muttered, shrugging.
Emily narrowed her eyes.
Really? You think I just sit there staring at the wall? Or do you think the money magically appears in our account?
I work too, he grumbled, sounding wounded. Its not my fault I earn less.
The truth was, Emily, as a graphic designer, earned three times what he did. She carried the entire financial burden.
Maybe you could go alone? she suggested hopefully.
Emily, its Mothers Day! You cant just ignore her!
She pressed her lips together and finished dressing their son. Two hours later, they were at Margarets house.
In the living room, as usual, sat LucyDaniels niece. Emily had long noticed how Margaret treated her like a princess, while barely acknowledging her own grandson. But it wasnt surprisingLucys parents had died five years earlier, and Margaret had taken her in.
Around them, Margarets sisters sipped tea, laughing loudly.
And then came the words that changed everything.
Ive made a decision, Margaret announced. Im leaving my flat to Lucy. Daniel, you already have your own home.
Daniel didnt even react. He just nodded.
A few days later, the paperwork was done. The flat officially belonged to Lucyon the condition shed only move in after Margarets death.
But life had other plans.
A stroke left Margaret completely helpless.
We have to move in with her, Daniel declared. She cant manage alone.
Emilys stomach twisted. She knew exactly what that meant.
Shed be the one feeding her, changing her, bathing her all while working and raising their child.
But she didnt say a word.
Weeks passed, and Emily had no moment of peace.
Until one evening, she finally snapped.
Daniel, your mothers flat belongs to Lucy. Shouldnt *she* be the one to take care of her?
Lucys at uni, Emily. And shes got a boyfriend. She cant exactly move him in here!
Emily laugheddry, bitter, disbelieving.
Daniel, I cant do this anymore!
He crossed his arms.
Oh, so youve had enough?
Her hands trembled.
Im suffocating! You, your mother, our son, my work ITS TOO MUCH!
But you *work from home* he shot back with a mocking smile.
Her gaze turned icy.
And? You think thats not real work?!
Her heart raced wildly.
You know what? *You* can take care of your mother now!
Shes my mum, but shes your mother-in-law! Thats *your* duty! You want me to wash her?!
Silence.
Then Emily spoke, quiet but freezing:
I owe you nothing.
Daniel scoffed.
Then hire a carer!
Oh, really? *You* pay for it!
Why should *I* pay?!
Then there wont be a carer.
She folded her arms.
You can pay for it with your mums pension. Or your salary?
Daniels face twisted in anger.
Then whats the point of having a wife?!
And that was the moment.
Something inside Emily shattered for good.
Everything became painfully clear.
Daniel had been using her all these years.
And Lucy? Hadnt visited her grandmother once.
That night, Emily didnt sleep a wink.
By morning, she knew what she had to do.
When Daniel left for work, she packed her bags, took their son, and left.
She sent one message before blocking his number:
*I wont carry this weight alone anymore.*
That evening, Daniel stormed over, furious.
Come back or Ill file for divorce!
Emily smiled faintly.
File the papers. I was planning to anyway.
For the first time, Daniel was speechless.
But she wasnt waiting for an apology. The decision was made.
A month later, they were divorced.
Daniel never admitted he was wrong.
And Emily?
She didnt regret a single second.
Six months later
Emily heard the news.
Margaret had passed away.
And Lucy?
Without a shred of guilt, she kicked Daniel out.
And *only* then did he understand.
Hed lost everything.
