“Did we really build a big house for no good reason?”
“So we wasted our time building this huge house?” snapped the mother-in-law. “Then pay back half its value!”
“I need to have a serious word with you,” said the woman with short hair, sitting across from Emily. “Before you started seeing my son, there are a few things you should know.”
The slender blonde stared in shock at her future in-law, whom shed only met three times in her life.
“If you want to be part of our family, you must understandmy sons parents come first!” declared Margaret proudly. “We dont need a daughter-in-law who thinks she can control him.”
“Am I controlling him?” Emily interrupted.
“Let me finishhave some patience!” the woman snapped.
Emily quickly lowered her gaze, flushing scarlet. She didnt want to upset Daniels mother. They hadnt been dating long, and she didnt want to risk anything yet.
“Right,” Margaret continued, “our family has a plan: once Daniel marries, well all move into the house thats nearly finished. Well live together as one happy family!”
“Brilliant!” Emily forced a smile.
Margaret, surprised by her quick agreement, raised her eyebrows. She hadnt expected the girl to give in so easily.
“Im so glad were on the same page! I think well get along famously,” Margaret said with a sly wink.
She immediately started praising Emily to her son, calling her kind, clever, and thoughtful.
Eager to please, Emily began showering Margaret with little gifts, with or without occasion, to win her favour.
A year later, fearing her son might not propose, Margaret started pressing him.
“When are you going to ask her?” she nagged almost daily. “If you wait too long, shell leave you, and youll regret it!”
Eventually convinced, Daniel proposed, and Emily joyfully accepted. His parents paid for the wedding, making her sure shed chosen well.
The newlyweds lived in a rented flat for three months before Margaret announced the house was ready.
“Pack your thingswere moving in together!” she chirped.
“Why? Were fine here!” Emily frowned, unwilling to live with her in-laws.
“What do you mean, why? We agreed on this!” Margaret said, stunned.
“Move in if you likejust leave us out of it!” Emily scoffed, her attitude shifting sharply.
Margaret was so shocked she fell silent for a moment.
“Waityou promised,” she said coldly.
“That was then. Ive changed my mindwere not living with you!” Emily snapped. “In fact, since youve moved, well take your old flat!”
“What? Dont be ridiculous!” Margaret hissed. “You conned us!” She hung up in fury.
Emily listened to the dial tone before setting the phone down. Moments later, Daniels phone rang in the kitchen.
She eavesdropped and realised Margaret was complaining to him.
Half an hour later, when he finally hung up, Emily walked in. His dark expression told her everything.
“Whats going on?” he demanded.
“What do you mean?” She crossed her arms.
“Mum called. She wants money.”
“Money? For what?!” Emily was stunned.
“For the house. Did you promise her wed live there together before we married?”
“I dont recall,” Emily feigned ignorance.
“You agreed to her plan, didnt you?”
“So what if I did? Ive changed my mind.” She looked away.
“I refused because I thought she was being ridiculous! That house sat unfinished for three yearsshe only completed it after our wedding. Because of you!” Daniel clenched his jaw.
“Well, its done now. Whats the big deal?”
He didnt answerhis phone rang again. But this time, he handed it to her.
“You talk to her.”
The moment Margaret heard Emilys voice, she attacked.
“Pay us back for the house!”
“What money? Are you mad?” Emily sneered.
“Because of you, we built that house for nothing! Then pay half its value!”
“Half? Dont be absurd!”
“Five hundred thousand pounds! You owe us half a million! Or else”
“Or else what? I never signed anything!” Emily said triumphantly.
“Then well cut ties with you!”
“Oh no, whatever shall I do?” Emily laughed and hung up.
Margaret demanded Daniel pay her £5,000 a month.
“At this rate, itll take you a decade!” she fumed. “Either move in or increase the payments.”
With no way to afford more, Daniel agreed.
But Emily refused, and within six months, the marriage was over.
