One day, my husband came back from his mothers house, sighed, and suggested we get a paternity test for our two-year-old daughter: Not for me, for my mother.
Some time ago, he returned from visiting his mum, took a deep breath, and proposed the same test. Its not about me, he insisted. Its for her.
Half a year before our wedding, she kept telling him, Dont marry hershes not good enough for you! recalls Emily, a thirty-year-old with a tremor of hurt in her voice. She said I was too pretty, that Id wander. Back then, we laughed and joked that Daniel shouldve married a mermaid insteadno doubts then! But now, its not funny. Not at all.
Emily doesnt consider herself stunningjust an ordinary girl from the outskirts of Manchester who takes care of herself like anyone else. Slim, well-groomed, dressed modestly, shes always been particular about relationships and commands respect. Why her mother-in-law, Mrs. Whitmore, decided Emily was flighty and unfaithful remains a mystery. Yet that woman turned her daughter-in-laws life into a nightmare.
Married four years, they have a daughter. Emilys on maternity leave, her days an endless cycle of cooking, cleaning, and nappies. The only people she speaks to are other mums at the playground. But her mother-in-law wont relent. She suspects Emily of cheating, watching her like a detective from a cheap soap opera.
Shes always spied on me! Emily sighs, eyes brimming with tears. Called to check, dropped by announced, tried to control my every move. At first, I brushed it offtold Daniel, and we laughed. But its exhausting! Ive lost my temper, weve argued. Shed quiet down briefly, then start again worse than before.
The first scandal came months after the wedding. Mrs. Whitmore showed up unannounced at Emilys office. No warning, no reason. She wanted proof: did her daughter-in-law actually work there? Or was she lying to her husband while meeting lovers?
I dont even know how she got in! Emily recalls, voice shaking with indignation. The building has securityvisitors need appointments. My jaw dropped when the receptionist brought her over. You have a visitor. I asked, Mrs. Whitmore, what are you doing here? She said, Just seeing where you work. And she scanned the room! Its an open officeeveryone at their desks, nothing hidden. God knows what shed have done if I had my own office.
Later, the receptionist, Sophie, admitted Mrs. Whitmore had grilled her. How long had Emily worked there? Was she ever late? Who did she talk to? Any special friends? She mentioned you were married, Sophie added, puzzled. Emily was furious. That evening, she told Daniel, Your mother crossed a line! Talk to herthis isnt normal! Next time, shell crawl under my desk hunting for a lover!
Daniel seemed to have a stern talk with his mum. A truce followed. Mrs. Whitmore only called in the evenings, asked about their day, sent homemade cakes. Emily thought the storm had passed. She was wrong.
The next incident happened while Emily was pregnant but still working. Home sick with the flu, shed turned off her phone and was asleep when violent banging shook the front doorthe doorbell ringing nonstop. I jumped up, thinking it was an emergency! she remembers. Peeked through the peepholeit was her! Face like thunder, kicking the door, jabbing the bell. I was terrified. Called Daniel: Get home nowI dont know whats happening! He took twenty minutes. She waited the entire time.
They confronted Mrs. Whitmore. Emily threatened to call the police and a psychiatrist if it happened again. Keep her away from me, she demanded. Another lull followed.
Emily gave birth to a girl, but her mother-in-law barely glanced at the baby. Later, the reason became clear: she didnt believe the child was Daniels. Of coursesince I wander, how could she be his? Emily laughs bitterly. The logic? In Daniels family, only boys were born. A girl, to Mrs. Whitmore, was proof of betrayal. I ignored the madness, Emily says. I dont speak to her. Daniel visits once a month, but alone. Maybe its for the best. Id never trust her with our daughter.
Yet the worst was still to come. One afternoon, Daniel returned from his mothers, hesitated, then suggested the paternity test again. Not for me, EmilyI swear! he said, waving his hands. Its for her. To finally put this to rest. Shes lost it, and Im stuck listening!
Emily let out a bitter laugh. For her? she repeated, voice trembling. Admit ityou believe her. Shell never stop. We could do ten tests, and shed claim the doctors were bribed! I wont dance to her tuneit ends now.
Its just a test, Daniel pressed.
Why bother? Emily stared at him, holding back tears. I know who her father is. Do you? If you need proof, fine. But first, we file for divorce. I wont live with a man who doesnt trust me.
Her words hung in the air like a verdict. Trust in their family was shatteredall because of a mother-in-law whose poison seeped into their lives. Emily stands on the edge, unsure how to salvage whats left.
Some battles arent about winningtheyre about knowing when to walk away.
