“Did we really build our house for nothing?” snapped the mother-in-law, her voice sharp with indignation. “Then pay me back half the cost!”
“I need to talk to you properly,” said the short-haired woman, settling across from Emily with a tense glare. “Before you marry my son, there are things you ought to know.”
The slender blonde met her future mother-in-laws stare warilythis was only their third meeting.
“Simply put, if you want to be part of this family, understand that James parents come first,” Margaret declared, lifting her chin. “We wont have a daughter-in-law dictating his life.”
“Am I dictating?” Emily interrupted.
“Let me finish, for heavens sake! Have some patience,” Margaret snapped.
Emily dropped her gaze, cheeks burning. She didnt want to upset James mothertheyd only been together a short while, and she couldnt afford to seem difficult.
“Right,” Margaret continued, “our family has a plan. Once James is married, well move into the houseits nearly done. Well all live together, one happy family!”
“Brilliant!” Emily forced a smile.
Margarets eyebrow shot up. She hadnt expected such quick agreement.
“Glad you see it our way. I think well get on just fine,” she said with a knowing wink.
From then on, Margaret sang Emilys praises to Jamescalling her clever, thoughtful, perfect. Seeing an opportunity, Emily doubled her efforts, showering Margaret with little gifts, proving her devotion.
A year later, fearing her son might never propose, Margaret pushed him. “When are you going to ask her?” she nagged. “She might walk away, and youll regret it.”
Eventually, James proposedEmily said yes, thrilled. His parents covered the wedding, convincing her shed chosen well.
The newlyweds rented a flat for three months until Margaret announced, “The house is ready! Start packingwell move in together!”
“Why? Were fine here,” Emily scowled, dreading living under her in-laws’ roof.
“What do you mean *why*? We agreed!” Margaret cried.
“You move inwhos stopping you?” Emilys tone turned icy.
Margaret gaped in stunned silence.
“You *promised*,” she finally said.
“Whatever I said then doesnt matter now. I wont live with you!” Emily crossed her arms. “Well take your flat instead.”
“Over my dead body!” Margaret hissed before slamming the phone down.
Seconds later, James phone rang in the kitchen. Emily listened, stomach tighteningMargaret was already complaining.
When he finally ended the call, his face was dark with anger. “Whats going on?” he demanded.
“What do you mean?” Emily feigned innocence.
“Mum called. She wants money.”
“*Money?* For what?”
“The house. What exactly did you promise her before we married?” His voice was steel.
“Nothing,” she lied.
“You approved the house plan, didnt you?”
“So what? I changed my mind.”
“*I* never wanted itthought it was a waste! But after we married, she finished it. *Because of you.*”
“Finished or not, whats the issue?” Emily rolled her eyes.
James phone rang again. He shoved it at her. “*You* deal with her.”
The moment Margaret heard Emilys voice, she attacked. “Pay me back for that house!”
“Youre mad.”
“Did we build it for *nothing*? Give me half its valuetwo hundred thousand pounds!”
“Youll get nothing! I signed *nothing*!”
“Then were done with you!”
“Fine by me.” Emily hung up.
Margaret hounded James instead, demanding two thousand pounds a month. “At this rate, youll take a decade to repay me!” she seethed. “Move into the house, or pay more!”
With no other choice, James agreed.
Emily refused. Within six months, the marriage was over.
