The Mother-in-Law Took Everything, Even the Kettle! Dramatic Tales from Life
Emily fought back when her mother-in-law crossed every line, demanding money and possessions. Discover how she stood her ground and reclaimed her family’s freedom!
In a quiet town on the outskirts of Yorkshire, where winds whistle through old cobbled streets, Emily and her husband Daniel tried to build a life together. But the shadow of his mother, Margaret, loomed over them like a storm cloud.
“That’s a smart toaster you’ve got! I’d love one like that for my place,” Margaret remarked with a faint smile, glancing at her son with the very tone that sent a chill down Daniel’s spine.
“Mum, we picked it to match our kitchen. It wouldn’t suit your decor at all,” Daniel tried to laugh it off, but he already knew the toaster would soon find its way to her home.
Margaret was a woman who always got her way. A new blender, a trendy coffee machine, even curtains—if she said “I want it,” Daniel, ever the dutiful son, would hand it over without hesitation.
“You can buy a new one, love. I’m on a pension now, I can’t afford these things. After all I’ve sacrificed for you! Don’t you love your mum? Because I love you more than anything!” Margaret had a way of speaking that left no room for disagreement. Her words, laced with guilt, seeped into Daniel’s heart, and he always relented.
He never argued with her. Even if she never used the gifts, he’d shrug it off: “Might come in handy someday.” How could he refuse a woman who constantly reminded him of everything she’d given up for him?
Daniel grew up in a household where his mother’s word was law. Failing to secure a university place on government funding, Margaret enrolled him in a paid business course.
“It’s practical, son! You’ll earn a proper living,” she insisted.
But by his first year, Daniel realised business wasn’t for him. He dreamt of a career in design—something creative—but when he called his mother to share his doubts, she snapped:
“I’ve already paid for three terms! Why didn’t you think of this earlier? I’m working two jobs to put you through uni, and you pull this nonsense? Finish the degree, then start at Aunt Linda’s firm—I’ve arranged it all.”
Aunt Linda, his mother’s friend, ran a department at a local company. After lectures, Daniel would go there, enduring long-winded life stories with only occasional work talk.
“Mum, I can’t keep doing this. It’s not me,” he confessed after six months.
But by then, Emily had entered his life. A girl from another class, she charmed him with her carefree spirit and dreams. They started dating, and Emily didn’t just want to sit through lectures—she craved walks in frost-covered parks, ice-skating, hot chocolate in cosy cafés. Distracted by romance, Daniel skipped his internship, dozed in lectures, and Aunt Linda wasted no time complaining to Margaret.
“After everything I’ve done for you, this is how you repay me? Nearly failing uni, ignoring your work, running around with some girl all night!” Margaret fumed. “You’ll work part-time now, and hand your wages to me. Have you seen food prices? No more gallivanting!”
Daniel silently agreed. He kept just enough to see Emily, handing the rest to his mother. Margaret would sigh dramatically, adding:
“It’s time you stood on your own feet. I deserve to enjoy my life too—my pension’s coming up, my health isn’t what it was. You don’t want me gone too soon, do you? You love your mum, I know.”
After graduation, Margaret surprised them with a “gift”—keys to a flat.
“Here you are, my darlings! Make yourselves a home!”
Emily was thrilled; Daniel hugged his mother, calling her the best.
“All my savings, just for you,” Margaret declared proudly.
But the flat was a tired one-bedroom with peeling wallpaper. Emily, ever optimistic, said:
“We’ll fix it up, make it cosy!”
Their joy didn’t last. Margaret lived nearby and soon began summoning Emily to “pop by with groceries,” “scrub the oven,” or “sort the spare room.” Exhausted from work, Emily obliged—until Margaret’s latest request stunned her.
“I need a new sofa for the living room. We’ll take the old one apart—no need to pay. Lucky me, having a clever girl like you!” Margaret beamed.
“I don’t mind helping, but Daniel and I have plans this weekend. I’m already here every evening,” Emily protested.
“So that’s it? I raised my boy, bought you a flat, and you’re pinching pennies over this?” Margaret snapped.
After that, Margaret stopped asking for favours. Emily breathed a sigh of relief—until Daniel dropped a bombshell:
“Mum needs a spa break. The packages are pricey. You earn well—could we chip in? I’ll transfer my share,” he said.
Suddenly, it made sense—why Emily paid for groceries, petrol, and bills alone. She’d thought Daniel was saving for a car or a holiday, but his mother was draining him dry.
“She didn’t want help! She bought us the flat—we skipped a mortgage!” Daniel argued when Emily confronted him.
“Wouldn’t it be better to take a mortgage? We’d pay it off in years, but with your mum, you’ll be paying forever!” Emily shot back.
Daniel refused to listen. Emily felt their marriage crumbling under Margaret’s demands.
When Margaret visited and took their brand-new toaster—one they’d painstakingly chosen to match their kitchen—Emily snapped.
“How are we supposed to make breakfast now?” she demanded.
“I’ll bring my old one from work. We’ll buy another later. Was I supposed to refuse her?” Daniel replied.
“What if she fancies our bed next? The telly? Where does it end?” Emily was at her limit.
“Funny, when you’re living in her flat rent-free,” Daniel countered.
“Are we supposed to bow to her forever for this dingy place? Enough!” Emily decided to confront Margaret herself.
Stepping into Margaret’s flat, she froze. Boxes of new gadgets, designer shopping bags, takeaway containers from fancy restaurants.
“Margaret, when we have children, am I meant to support them alone? Stop bleeding us dry! You don’t even use half this stuff!” Emily gestured wildly.
“We’ll cross that bridge later. My son’s wages are none of your business! If you don’t like it, leave!” Margaret hissed.
“And what about Daniel’s dreams? No fishing trips, no car—because you take everything!” Emily stood firm.
“Know your place, girl. One word from me, and he’ll drop you. Now, since you’re here, scrub the floor—I’m tired,” Margaret sneered. “He loves me more. Understood?”
Emily refused to back down. She told Daniel everything, warning him: choose his family, or lose her.
Daniel was sceptical.
“Mum would never say that. You’re exaggerating.”
But Emily had recorded the conversation. Hearing it, Daniel paled, gripping his phone like he wanted to crush it. He decided to test his mother.
“Mum, I got sacked. The spa trip’s off,” he lied.
“What do you mean, off? I’ve planned everything! Let Emily pay—she’s family! My heart can’t take this stress!” Margaret exploded.
Daniel insisted on a doctor’s visit. Tests confirmed Margaret was in perfect health.
“Eat well, avoid stress, and you’ll live a long life,” the doctor assured her.
Relieved, Daniel announced their plans: a move to another city, starting a family.
“But you must live near me! How will I manage without you?” Margaret wailed.
“We’ve already picked a place. No help needed—we’ve got a mortgage now,” Daniel said firmly.
“No help? I can’t survive on my pension!”
“We’ll rent out the flat—somewhere cheaper. You love me—you’ll understand, won’t you?” He threw her words back at her.
Margaret had no retort. Emily and Daniel turned the page, leaving her demands behind, stepping into a future—finally—on their own terms.
