One bleak afternoon, James returned from his mothers house, let out a heavy sigh, and hesitantly suggested a paternity test for their two-year-old daughter. Not for me, he clarified, his voice strained. For my mother.
Months before their wedding, his mother had constantly warned him: Dont marry hershe isnt good enough for you! recalled Emily, her voice shaking with hurt. Shes too prettyshell stray! At the time, theyd laughed it off, joking that James shouldve chosen a plain Jane to avoid confusion. But now, there was no laughter left. None at all.
Emily never saw herself as a stunning beautyjust an ordinary woman from the outskirts of Manchester, who took care of herself like anyone else. Slender, well-groomed, and modestly dressed, she had always been selective in relationships and demanded respect. Why her mother-in-law, Mrs. Whitmore, had branded her as reckless and unfaithful was a mystery. Yet that woman had turned Emilys life into a nightmare.
Married for four years, they had a daughter. Emily was on maternity leave, her days an endless cycle of cooking, cleaning, and nappy changes. The only people she spoke to were other mums at the playground. But her mother-in-law wouldnt relent. Convinced Emily was cheating, she stalked her like a detective from a cheap soap opera.
Shes always spied on me, Emily sighed, her eyes welling up. Called to check, showed up unannounced, tried to control my every move. At first, I brushed it offJames and I would laugh about it. But its exhausting. Ive lost my temper so many times. Shed calm down briefly, only to start again, worse than before.
The first scandal erupted months after the wedding. Mrs. Whitmore suddenly appeared at Emilys workplaceno warning, no reason. She wanted proof: did her daughter-in-law really work there? Or was she lying to James, sneaking off with lovers instead?
I dont even know how she got in! Emily recalled, her voice trembling with fury. The building has securityvisitors need appointments. I nearly collapsed when the receptionist led her over: You have a visitor. I asked, Mrs. Whitmore, what are you doing here? She just said, I wanted to see where you worked. And she was scanning the room! Its an open-plan officeeveryone at their desks, nothing hidden. God knows what shed have done if I had a private office.
Later, the receptionist, Lucy, admitted Mrs. Whitmore had grilled her. How long had Emily worked there? Was she ever late? Who did she talk to? Was there anyone special around? She mentioned you were married! Lucy added, bewildered. Emily was livid. That evening, she confronted James: Your mothers crossed a line! Talk to herthis isnt normal! The only thing she didnt do was check under my desk for a lover. Who knowsmaybe she did!
James seemed to have a stern word with his mother. A fragile peace followed. Mrs. Whitmore only called in the evenings, asking about their day, sending homemade cakes. Emily dared to hope the storm had passed. She was wrong.
The next outburst came when Emily was pregnant but still working. Home sick one day, phone off, she was jolted awake by furious pounding at the door and the doorbell ringing nonstop. I thought it was an emergency! she remembered. Peeked through the peepholeand there she was. Face twisted, kicking the door, mashing the bell. I was terrified. Called James: Get home nowI dont know whats happening! He made it in twenty minutes. She stayed there, waiting the whole time.
They both scolded Mrs. Whitmore. Emily threatened to call the police and a psychiatrist if it happened again. Keep her away from me! she demanded. And again, there was calm.
Emily gave birth to a girl, but her mother-in-law barely glanced at her granddaughter. The reason soon became clear: she didnt believe the child was Jamess. Of coursesince Im out gallivanting, how could she be his? Emily laughed bitterly. The logic? Jamess family only had boys. A girl, to Mrs. Whitmore, was proof of betrayal. I ignored the madness, Emily said. I dont speak to her. James visits once a monthalone. Maybe its for the best. Id never trust her with our daughter.
But the worst was yet to come. Until that day James returned from his mothers, took a deep breath, and proposed the paternity test. Not for me, Emily, I swear! he blurted, hands raised. I dont doubt you. Its for her! I need her to stop this madness. Shes lost it, and Im sick of hearing it!
Emily let out a hollow laugh. For her? she repeated, voice quivering with rage. Just admit you believe her! You know shell never stop. We could do ten testsshed claim the doctors were bribed! I wont dance to her tune. It ends here.
Whats the harm in one test? James pressed.
Why bother? Emily stared at him, fighting tears. I know who her father is. Do you? If you need the test, fine. But first, we file for divorce. I wont stay with a man who doesnt trust me.
Her words hung like a death sentence. The trust between them was shattered, all because of a mother-in-law whose poison had seeped into their lives. Emily stood on the edge, unsure how to pull her family back from the abyss.
