Thats your motherso shes your responsibility! he snapped, but shed had enough.
Emily zipped up her sons jacket, gritting her teeth to stop the frustration from boiling over. Another forced visit to her mother-in-law loomed aheada woman shed never gotten along with. From the start, their relationship had been strained.
Margaret Carter had decided long ago that Emily wasnt the right wife for her son. No matter what she did, there was always criticism, some complaint, some grudge.
Emily, what now? sighed Peter, watching her annoyed expression. You dont want to go, do you?
Emily scoffed and shook her head.
Are you seriously asking me that? Really, Peter?! You know exactly why I dont want to go!
Her eyes burned with anger.
Shell lecture me again, nitpick, invent problems where there arent any! Shell say Im raising our child wronglike she cares that I work, run the house, cook, clean, and pay all the bills! Im the one supporting this family, Peter!
But youre at home all day he shrugged.
Emily narrowed her eyes.
Oh, you think I just sit around staring at the walls? Do the pounds magically appear in our account?!
I work too, he muttered, offended. Its not my fault I earn less.
The truth was, Emily, a graphic designer, earned three times what he did. She carried the financial weight of their lives.
Why dont you just go alone? she asked, hopeful.
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 LucyPeters niece. Emily had noticed ages ago that Margaret treated her like a princess, while barely acknowledging her own grandson. Not surprisingLucys parents had died five years back, and Margaret had taken her in.
Around them, Margarets sisters sipped tea, laughing loudly.
Then came the words that changed everything.
Ive made my decision, Margaret announced. Im leaving the flat to Lucy. Peter, you already have your house.
Peter didnt react. Just nodded.
Days later, the paperwork was done. The flat officially belonged to Lucyon the condition shed move in after Margarets death.
But fate had other plans.
A stroke left Margaret completely helpless.
We have to move in with her, Peter declared. She cant manage alone.
Emilys stomach twisted. She knew what that meant.
Shed be the one feeding her, changing her, bathing herall while working and raising their child.
But she said nothing.
Weeks passed with no respite.
Then, one evening, she snapped.
Peter, your mothers flat belongs to Lucy. Maybe *she* should take care of her?
Lucys at uni, Emily. And shes got a boyfriend. She cant exactly move him in here!
Emily laugheddry, bitter, disbelieving.
Peter, I cant do this anymore!
He crossed his arms.
Oh, so youve had enough?
Her hands shook.
Im drowning! You, your mother, our kid, my jobits TOO MUCH!
But you work from home he said with a smirk.
Her gaze turned icy.
And that means its not real work?!
Her heart pounded wildly.
You know what? *You* take care of your mother now!
Shes my mother, but your mother-in-law! Its your duty! Want me to wash her too?!
Silence.
Then Emily spoke, calm but freezing:
I owe you nothing.
Peter scoffed.
Then hire a carer!
Oh, really? *You* paying for that?
Why should I pay?!
Then there wont be a carer.
She folded her arms.
Use your mums pension. Or your salary?
Peters face darkened with anger.
Then whats the point of having a wife?!
And that was it.
Something inside Emily shattered for good.
Everything became clear.
Peter had only ever used her.
And Lucy? Hadnt visited once.
That night, Emily didnt sleep.
By morning, she knew what to do.
When Peter left for work, she packed their bags, took their son, and walked out.
One message, then she blocked his number:
*I wont carry this alone anymore.*
That evening, Peter stormed over, furious.
Come back or Ill file for divorce!
Emily smiled faintly.
File it. I was going to anyway.
For the first time, he was speechless.
But she wasnt waiting for apologies. The decision was made.
A month later, they were divorced.
Peter never admitted he was wrong.
And Emily?
Not a single regret.
Six months on
News came.
Margaret had died.
And Lucy?
Without hesitation, she kicked Peter out.
Only then did he understand.
Hed lost everything.
