**Diary Entry The Other Mother-in-Law**
When Emily stepped into the flat, she spotted her mother-in-laws shoes right in the middle of the hallway. It was clear her evening of rest was already ruined.
Margaret appeared from the kitchen, looking like a prosecutor ready for cross-examination.
So, youve been at that silly old womans again? she demanded. Meanwhile, your home, your husband, your childall left to fend for themselves. Good thing I dropped by. Otherwise, theyd have starved.
Margaret, Nicholas knew Id be late tonight, Emily replied calmly. I made dinnerhe just had to heat it up. Hed have managed perfectly well without your interference.
After ten years of marriage to Nicholas, Emily had grown used to Margarets constant disapproval. She barely reacted anymore, treating her words like background noise from a radio left on all day.
But it hadnt always been this easy. Margaret was Emilys second mother-in-law. The first, Helen, had been a tactful woman. She never meddled in her sons marriage, never gave unsolicited advice, never forced her presence.
Yet she was always there when needed. Emily remembered how Helen had stayed up nights with three-month-old Lily when the baby confused day and night, how shed take her granddaughter for walks and tell Emily, Dont do a thingjust rest. David will handle dinner when he gets home.
When Lily turned five, there was an accident at Davids factory, and Emily was left a widow.
Helen, whod lost her only son, didnt abandon her daughter-in-law or granddaughter in their grief. For the first three months, they lived together, supporting each other. Emily even suggested they stay that way, but Helen moved back to her own flat.
Emily, youre only twenty-eight, shed said. Youre youngyoull find happiness again. I wont get in your way.
Three years later, Emily married Nicholas. But she never left Helen behind. With her own parents far away, her first mother-in-law became almost like a mother to her, and Lily adored her grandmother.
So Margarets behaviouracting as if she owned Emilys homewas a shock. After her first visit, Emily asked Nicholas to explain that his mother was a guest here, not the lady of the house.
When Margaret protested that she only wanted to help, Emily replied, Im not eighteen anymore. Even then, I was independent. And after seven years of marriage, I dont need lessons on cooking or cleaning. In fact, I could teach *you* a thing or two.
Nicholas, to his credit, backed her up. Gradually, Emily trained Margaret not to interfereso when their son was born a year later, she mostly kept her opinions to herself.
But Margaret had a friend who constantly bragged about how she disciplined her younger sons wife. Naturally, Margaret wanted something to boast about too. Still, she found an outletcomplaining that Emily still visited Helen.
If only that old woman were *real* family! shed grumble. When Lily was little, I didnt mind her going to Helens in summer. But now shes grown, and Emily still visits twice a week!
The truth was, Helen had been unwell lately. Illness and grief had aged her, and Emily had been checking on hersometimes at hospital, sometimes at home.
Spending family money on an outsider, Margaret scolded.
Dont worry, Emily replied. Helen sold her cottage when she fell ill. Shes not borrowing from *you*.
When Helen grew worse, Emily hired a carer and took leave to spend half-days with her. But it only delayed the inevitablesoon, Helen passed.
Then Margarets real interest surfaced: the inheritance.
She sold the cottage, but surely she didnt spend all the money in a year. And her pension was decentshe must have savings. And that two-bed flatwho gets that?
She didnt dare ask Emily directly, so she asked Nicholas. The answer displeased her.
The will? Naturally, its all left to Lilyshes Helens *real* granddaughter.
So Emily wasted her time? Margaret gasped. I bet shes devastated!
Actually, Emily said later, I knew Helen was leaving everything to Lily. I took her to the solicitor myself.
Margaret was baffled. Then why bother with her?
Emily just shook her head. I doubt youd understand.
Once the estate was settled, Lily received the flat and savings. They decided to rent it out while she was at university, putting the money toward her future.
Margaret, however, had other ideas. Why let strangers in? Let my Jessica live there!
Jessica, her thirty-five-year-old daughter, still lived at home. Pretty, educated, with a decent jobbut no husband in sight. Margaret was desperate to change that.
If she had her own place, she might finally marry! she reasoned.
But Lily refused. She wouldnt pay proper rent. Ill need the moneymaybe even for a mortgage later.
Selfish, just like you! Margaret snapped at Emily.
Nicholas cut in. Mum, *you* have a three-bed. Sell it, buy a one-bed for yourself and one for Jess.
How *dare* you! she spluttered. Thats *my* home! Ive lived there my whole life!
Emily sighed. You wont sacrifice for your own daughter, yet you expect my child to?
Jessica stayed with her mother. Lily rented the flat, sold it after graduation, and bought a new place elsewhere.
As they saythe grass is always greener
**Lesson:** Family isnt about blood aloneits about who stands by you. And no amount of scheming can replace true kindness.
