The day I returned my mother-in-law to the house of my cheating husband and his loverwith words that left them speechless.
James and I had been married for seven years. From the day of our wedding, I accepted living with his mother, Mrs. Evelyn, a woman whod suffered a stroke, left partially paralysed, needing constant care for every meal and nap. At first, I believed it would be simple: she was my mother-in-law, I was her daughter-in-law, and looking after her was simply my duty.
But I never imagined the weight of that responsibility would stretch on for so long and the hardest part was that it came from the one person who should have shared it with me: my husband, James.
James worked during the day and spent his evenings glued to his phone. He often said, *You take better care of Mum than I ever could. If I tried, shed only suffer.* I never resented him for it.
I thought that was just how life wasthe wife keeps the home, the husband earns the living. Until I discovered James wasnt just at work he had someone else.
One day, I stumbled upon a text: *Ill come by again tonight. Being with you is a thousand times better than being at home.* I didnt scream. I didnt cry. I didnt make a scene.
Instead, I whispered, *And your mother? The one youve neglected all these years?* James said nothing. The next morning, he left. I knew exactly where hed gone.
I looked at Mrs. Evelynthe woman who once criticised every bite I ate, every nap I took, who claimed I *wasnt fit to be her daughter-in-law*and a knot tightened in my throat. I wanted to walk away. But then I reminded myself: a person must always keep their dignity.
A week later, I called James. *Are you free? Im bringing your mother to you.*
I packed her medications, medical reports, and an old notebook of care instructions into a cloth bag. That evening, I helped her into her wheelchair and said softly, *Mum, Im taking you to James for a few days. A change of scene will do you good.* She nodded, her eyes gleaming like a childs.
At the small flat, I rang the bell. James opened the door, and behind him stood the other womanwearing a silk nightgown, lips painted deep red. I wheeled Mrs. Evelyn into the living room, arranged her blankets and pillows, and set the bag of medicines on the table.
The flat reeked of perfume but felt cold and silent. James stammered, *What what are you doing?*
I smiled gently. *Remember? Mum is yours. Im just your wife. I cared for her seven years thats enough.* The woman behind him paled, a spoonful of yoghurt frozen halfway to her lips.
I stepped back calmly, as if finishing a long-planned task. *Heres her medical history, prescriptions, nappies, pads, and cream for her sores. Ive noted all the dosages in the notebook.*
I placed the notebook on the table and turned to leave. James voice rose. *Youre abandoning my mother? Thats cruel!*
I stopped but didnt turn. My voice was steady. *You neglected her for seven years. Whats that, if not cruelty? I cared for her like my ownnot for you, but because shes a mother. Now Im leaving. Not for revenge, but because Ive done my part as a human being.*
I looked the other woman in the eye and smiled faintly. *If you love him, love him completely. This comes with the package.*
Then, I set the house deeds on the table. *The house is in my name only. Ill take nothing. He only took his clothes. But if you ever need money for her care, Ill still contribute.*
I bent down and stroked Mrs. Evelyns hair one last time. *Be good here, Mum. If youre sad, Ill come see you.*
Mrs. Evelyn smiled, her voice trembling. *Yes visit me when you come home.*
I walked out, shutting the door behind me. The room fell silent, thick with perfume and massage oil. That night, I slept peacefully, dreamless. The next morning, I rose early, took my son out for breakfast, and embraced a new beginningno tears, no bitterness.
