One day, my husband came back from his mums house, sighed deeply, and suggested we get a DNA test for our two-year-old daughter: Not for me, for my mum.
Half a year before our wedding, shed constantly tell her son, Dont marry her, shes not good enough for you! recalls Emily, her voice trembling. She said I was too prettyclaimed Id run off with someone else! We used to laugh and joke that Daniel shouldve married a mermaid, just to avoid confusion. But now? Not so funny.
Emily doesnt think shes some stunning beautyjust an ordinary girl from the outskirts of Manchester who takes care of herself like anyone else. Slim, well-groomed, dresses modestly, always had standards in relationships and knew how to command respect. Why her mother-in-law, Mrs. Winifred, decided Emily was flighty and unfaithful remains a mystery. But that woman turned her daughter-in-laws life into a nightmare.
Married four years, with a toddler, Emilys on maternity leaveher days a blur of cooking, cleaning, and nappy changes. The only adults she talks to are other mums at the playground. But her mother-in-law wont let up. Shes convinced Emilys cheating, stalking her like a detective from a bad telly drama.
Shes always spied on me, Emily sighs, eyes welling up. Phoned to check up, dropped by unannounced, tried to control my every move. At first, I brushed it off, told Daniel, and wed laugh. But its exhausting! Ive lost my temper more than once. Shed calm down briefly, then start up worse than before.
The first scandal hit months after the wedding. Mrs. Winifred showed up at Emilys officeno warning, no reason. Just wanted to confirm: was her daughter-in-law *really* working there? Or was she lying to her husband, sneaking off with lovers instead?
No idea how she even got in! Emily recalls, indignant. The building has securityvisitors need appointments. Nearly fainted when the receptionist brought her over: Youve got a visitor. I asked, Mrs. Winifred, what are you doing here? She just said, Wanted to see where you work. Then she stared at everyone! Open-plan office, people at their desksnothing to hide. God knows what shed have done if I had my own office.
Later, the receptionist, Lily, admitted Mrs. Winifred had grilled her: How long had Emily worked there? Was she ever late? Who did she talk to? Any *special* colleagues? She even said, Shes married, you know! Lily added, baffled. Emily was furious. That evening, she snapped at Daniel: Your mums crossed a line! Talk to herthis isnt normal! She didnt check under my desk for a secret lover, but who knows, maybe next time!
Daniel seemed to have a stern chat with his mother. A ceasefire followed. Mrs. Winifred only called in the evenings, asked about their day, sent homemade scones. Emily dared to hope the storm had passed. She was wrong.
The next incident happened while Emily was pregnant but still working. Off sick with a cold, shed turned her phone off and was napping when violent banging shook the front door, the doorbell ringing nonstop. I jumped up thinking it was a fire or something! Emily remembers. Peeked through the peepholethere she was! Glaring, kicking the door, jabbing the bell. Too scared to open it, I called Daniel: Get home NOW, I dont know whats happening! He made it in twenty minutes. She waited the whole time, just standing there.
They both confronted Mrs. Winifred. Emily threatened to call the police *and* a psychiatrist if it happened again. Keep her away from me! she demanded. And again, calm returned.
Emily had a baby girl, but her mother-in-law barely glanced at her granddaughter. The reason soon became clear: she didnt believe the child was Daniels. Of coursesince Im running around, how could it be his? Emily laughs bitterly. The logic? Daniels family only had boys. A girl, to Mrs. Winifred, was proof of infidelity. Ignored the madness, Emily says. I dont speak to her. Daniel visits once a month, but we dont go. Probably for the best. Wouldnt trust her with my daughter anyway.
But the worst was yet to come. One evening, Daniel returned from his mums, took a deep breath, and hesitantly suggested a paternity test. Not for me, Emily, honestly! he insisted, waving his hands. Ive no doubts. Its for Mum! Just to shut her up, once and for all. Shes lost the plot, and Im stuck listening to it!
Emily let out a hollow laugh. For *her*? You might as well admit you believe her! Shell never stop. We could do three tests at different clinics, and shed say the doctors were bribed! I wont dance to her tuneit ends here.
Whats the harm in doing it? Daniel pressed.
Why bother? Emily stared at him, holding back tears. I know who her father is. Do *you*? If you need the test, 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 crackingall because of a mother-in-law whose suspicions poisoned everything. Emily feels on the edge, unsure how to save her family from this madness.
