Why do you think you have the right to decide what happens to my things and thrust this on me without a word of discussion? Olivias voice rang with indignation.
I, Andrew, looked guilty at my wife. I had just hung up after a call with my mother, and now Olivia was standing in the doorway, her face set as if ready for a fight.
I raised my hands in a conciliatory gesture, trying to calm her.
Love, listen Mums just passing through town on business. She doesnt want to stay in a hotel, you understand? Its uncomfortable for her. Shell be with us for a couple of days, at most a week. Just Olivia
Olivia leaned against the kitchen wall, arms crossed, her dark eyes flashing with displeasure.
You could have warned me in advance. You could have asked me, instead of dropping the news a few hours before she arrives. Thats not right, understand?
I ran a hand over the back of my neck. The kitchen felt too cramped for the argument, the air thickening with tension.
I muttered nervously,
I know its wrong. I know its inconvenient, but I already promised Mum. I cant leave her out on the street, can I? Try to see it from my side
Andrew, Olivia exhaled slowly, massaging her temples. You know how I feel about unexpected guests. I hate strangers in my flat! Ive told you that a dozen times. Yet you act as if my feelings mean nothing.
Im sorry, truly, I said, stepping closer. It wont happen again, I swear. This time only
Olivia stared into my pleading eyes and realised there was no choice. The battle was lost before it beganmy promise was made and Mum was already on her way.
Fine, she snapped a hand. One time. And thats the last! Guests should visit, not move in for a week! Got it?
Two hours later there was a knock at the door. Mrs. Eleanor Peterson stood on the threshold with a small suitcase and a travel bag, beaming as if daylight had followed her. Olivia forced a smile that quickly turned sour.
Oh, thank you, dear, my mother-in-law said, reaching for a hug. I need to get some tests done at the clinic. Old age isnt kind, you know Our little towns medical services are, well, you understand, so I came to stay with you.
Olivia gave a mechanical embrace, the cheap perfume and laundry detergent scent hitting her nose.
Come in, make yourself comfortable, she said, taking the bag and leading the guest to the spare bedroom. Heres your room; dinner will be ready in half an hour.
At the table Mrs. Peterson launched into conversation.
Life in a small town is rough, love. No proper health centre, no decent chemist. An ambulance takes an hour, sometimes more. Weve got one doctor for everyone, and hes not exactly reliable.
Yes, city life is certainly more convenient, Olivia replied, serving mashed potatoes.
And where do your parents live? the motherinlaw asked, eyeing her daughterinlaw sharply.
In our twobedroom flat. Olivia answered.
Then why are you living alone? I recall you had your own place before the wedding.
Olivia set down her fork, sensing the conversation turning sour.
I moved out at nineteen when I started work. I wanted independence, you see? To live on my own terms, save enough for my own home. she said.
Oh, brilliant! Mrs. Peterson exclaimed with exaggerated delight. Youre so selfsufficient, such a clever girl! Not like those other girls who cling to their husbands.
The tone in her voice carried a hint of something else, a subtle edge that made Olivia uneasy. She chose to ignore it.
The week dragged on painfully. Olivia came home from work to find Mrs. Peterson helping by washing dishes and leaving smudges, rearranging the fridge, opening sealed packets, and attempting to launder delicate items in hot water. Every evening Olivia had to redo the work, reminding herself it was only temporary.
Do you know when your mum will leave? she whispered to me as we lay down.
Tomorrow, probably. The test results should be ready then.
But on the seventh day Mrs. Peterson announced over breakfast,
Oh dear, the doctor ordered a couple more tests. Ill have to stay a bit longer, maybe a couple of weeks. I still need treatment and a specialists visit.
Olivia almost choked on her coffee.
Mrs. Peterson, she said calmly. Let us rent a flat for you. Well pay, no problem. Thatll be easier for everyone.
Mrs. Petersons face changed instantly.
Whats this? I dont want to live apart. I came here to see you and my son, and now youre shooing me away! she cried.
Im not shooing you away, I interjected. Youre welcome to visit whenever you like. But living Olivia took a deep breath. Sorry, Im not used to strangers in my flat. Its too much for me.
Im not a stranger! Mrs. Peterson protested. How can you say that?
Olivia, I tried to mediate, can you just tolerate it? Its my mother, after all. Why should she have to find a rented place when we have a spare room?
Olivia fell silent, watching me intently. I pressed on,
Love, please Shes my mum. You cant treat her like this.
Olivia rose from the table.
This is my flat. I never agreed to a long stay for your mother. A week is one thing, a month is another.
How selfish you are! Mrs. Peterson flounced, waving her hands. Son, look at who you married! An egoist and a hussy!
I flushed, torn between my wife and my mother.
Please, Olivia I pleaded.
No, she cut me off. Im not arguing any more. If you dont like it, the exit is that way. Clear?
My husband and motherinlaw exchanged glances, then retreated to separate rooms without another word.
The sting in Olivias chest felt like a fire. How could I push her, knowing how much she despised sharing her space with anyone? How could I ignore her concerns and side with my mother? What a broken family we had become!
The next day Olivia returned early from work. Mrs. Peterson sat in the living room, looking triumphant.
So, have you thought about your behaviour? Had a change of heart? she asked, not even greeting her.
Olivia hung her coat in the hallway, counting silently to ten.
A good daughterinlaw would have apologised by now and said her husbands mother could stay as long as needed, the motherinlaw continued. In fact, she rose and paced, Ive been thinking of moving out of the village altogether, selling the house and relocating here, living with you two for a while, then maybe buying a flat closer to you. At my age, I need care; living alone is getting hard.
Olivia froze, the pieces snapping togetherdoctors visits, tests, the accidental delay. It was a rehearsal, a test of the ground.
I see, Olivia said quietly. So you want to move in permanently.
Whats wrong with that? Mrs. Peterson shrugged. Family should be together.
Then let me make my position crystal clear, Olivia said, straightening. I will not live with anyone except my husband under one roof. If that doesnt suit Andrew, he can leave with you.
What are you saying? Andrew paled. Olivia, shes my mother!
This is my flat, my life. Choose.
You cant be serious! Mrs. Peterson clutched her chest. Andrew, shes throwing me out!
Nothing like that. I suggested a flat for her, but no one will be living here permanently except Andrew and me.
Andrew swayed between his wife and his mother, his face reddening with frustration and confusion.
Fine! he finally barked. If youre so principled, well go! Pack your things, Mum.
The flat descended into chaos. Andrew and Mrs. Peterson scrambled to gather belongings while she continued to berate Olivia. Olivia stood firm.
Ill file for divorce! he shouted from the hallway. Hear that? Ill file! Thats it!
Ill be waiting, Olivia replied calmly.
A month later the divorce was finalised. There was nothing to split the flat was owned before marriage, savings were modest, no children, no joint assets. Friends took sides. Some shook their heads:
Olivia, how could you? The motherinlaw she deserved it.
But the closest friends, whod known her since school, understood:
Olivia, you did the right thing, said my friend Charlotte over coffee. This is just the beginning. You dodged a bullet. Better to be alone than live under constant strain.
Absolutely, Olivia agreed. Better to be on my own than stuck in perpetual tension.
She opened a dating app on her phone. Life went on, and she now knew the importance of laying everything out beforehand. And perhaps next time shed even arrange a prenuptial agreementfor peace of mind.
