“You can think whatever you like about me, but youll never prove a thing,” the mother-in-law declared threateningly, placing her daughter-in-law before an impossible choice.
“Now then, Mary dear, listen carefully. You may think what you will of me, but youve no way to prove anything. There are no witnesses, and Oswald trusts me. So if you wish to remain part of this family, youd best accept itkeep the house, cook the meals, and hold your tongue. Understood?”
Mary had married Oswald some years ago. Soon after, their son Daniel was born, now six years old. Both parents worked hard to provide for their family, ensuring they never fell into want.
They lived modestly but contentedlyMary managed the household, cared for the child, and worked as an accountant in a small firm, while Oswald was an engineer. For a time, all seemed well.
Then came the day Oswalds mother, Margaret, was diagnosed with ischemic heart disease, requiring constant treatment and gentle care. She had to leave her job, and from then on, relied entirely on her sons support.
Mary did her best to helpstopping by after work with bags of groceries, preparing soups and broths. Sometimes she brought Daniel along, as there was no one to watch him in the evenings. On other days, Oswald would visit his mother himself.
At first, it seemed only natural. But as time passed, the strain grew. Money vanished faster than beforemedicines, treatments, special foods. Oswald gave part of his wages to his mother without question, and Mary accepted it. Yet soon, she noticed their own needs going unmet. Oswald, it seemed, remained blind to the problem.
Daniel needed new shoes, his after-school club raised its fees, the washing machine brokeeverything seemed to go wrong at once. Marys winter coat, worn for over five years, desperately needed replacing. But all she heard from Oswald was,
“Be patient. Mother comes first.”
And she held her tongue, knowing health mattered more. Yet a weight settled inside her, heavier each day. She wondered how long this would lastwhat future awaited them.
One afternoon, when Mary had left work early before the holiday, she overheard something from Margaret that left her stunned.
That day, Mary had received a modest but unexpected bonus. She envisioned a quiet eveningputting Daniel to bed, opening a bottle of wine, laying out cheese, cold meats, and fruit, just as theyd done before exhaustion and endless chores took over.
With this in mind, she stopped at the shops for fresh vegetables, greens, and milk. “Ill drop these at Margarets, then head home to prepare,” she thought.
She had a key to her mother-in-laws flatjust in case. So she let herself in quietly. A voice drifted from the kitchen. At first, she assumed it was the telly, but as she drew closer, she froze.
Margaret stood by the half-open window, cigarette in hand, exhaling smoke outside. In her other hand was a phone.
“Of course Ill keep up the act,” she rasped into the receiver. “Why wouldnt I? My son supports me, his wife tiptoes around me. Im not giving that up. Not for anything. Thank you, Veronica, for arranging that medical note.”
Marys vision swam. The words struck like a blow. She staggered back, hitting the doorframe, and the grocery bag slipped from her fingers. Tomatoes and apples tumbled across the floor.
Margaret spun around.
“Marywait! I can explain!” she cried, rushing after her.
But Mary was already out the door, fleeing down the stairs. She barely registered reaching the nearest bus stop.
Thoughts of wine forgotten, she walked home in a daze, chest heavy, mind blank. Only one thought circled”A year an entire year shes fooled us. Was she ever even ill?”
Later, after Daniel had fallen asleep to a bedtime story, Mary called Oswald into the kitchen. He frownedusually, she was too weary by this hour, but tonight, something was different.
“Oswald,” she began, “we need to talk.”
“Whats happened?”
“Its about your mother.”
“Money again? We manage. You just expect too much. Honestly, Ive been thinkingwhy do you even work? Stay home, care for my mother properly.”
“Care for her? Do you know shes perfectly fine? Perhaps she was never ill at all?” Mary burst out, unable to contain it any longer.
“What are you saying?”
“Im not making this up. But your mothertoday, I walked in on her smoking by the window. And she was on the phone with someone named Veronica, thanking her for arranging a medical certificate.”
Oswald went still, grappling with the words.
“Wait that cant be. Veronica is Mothers friend. She works at the clinic”
“Exactly.”
Oswald dragged a hand over his face.
“I cant disbelieve you Why would you invent such a thing? But Motherhow could she do this?”
“Seems she has,” Mary said quietly. “And the reason weve scraped by? Victors been sending me money weekly. Did you wonder how Daniel got his new autumn coat?”
Oswald said nothing, his breathing uneven. He felt control slipping away.
“Ill go to her tomorrow and see for myself.”
“Do. But dont call ahead.”
“Why?”
“So she cant hide the truth.”
With that, Mary rose and left for the bathroom.
The next day, Oswald was distracted at work. Thoughts tangledMarys words, his mothers face, the mention of a falsified note. He glanced at the clock until, at last, he left at lunch to see Margaret.
Unlocking the door, he found everything as usualclean, fresh flowers on the table, no scent of smoke.
His mother sat at the kitchen table, weary-eyed, dark circles beneath. She barely looked up.
“Had a wretched night. Barely made it to morning. Cant keep a thing downfeels like it sticks in my throat.”
Her voice was pitiful, strained. Oswald felt doubt stirwas this real, or another act?
He scanned the roomeverything impeccable. “Did Mary mishear?” he wondered.
“Right, Mum, take your medicine. Rest after,” he said gently, pretending belief. He put away the groceries, ensured her pills were within reach.
“Ill stop by tonight.”
And he hurried back to work, as if fleeing his own thoughts.
The following week, Oswald was absent-minded. At work, he muddled blueprints; at home, he caught Marys guarded looks, lost for words. He didnt know whom to trusthis wife, who had no reason to lie, or his mother, who looked every bit the ailing woman yet too much aligned.
Meanwhile, Mary refused to visit Margaret again. The memory of that overheard conversation burned too fresh. And Margaret, seizing the chance, complained of her at every turn
“Your Marys grown impossible. No conscience at all. Abandoning her husbands mother!”
Oswald listened in silence, but a weight pressed deeperas if standing between two cliffs, unsure which to fall from first.
Yet Mary couldnt avoid Margaret forever. When Oswald left on a week-long business trip, leaving his mother alone was too risky. But she wouldnt return to cooking and cleaning. After buying medicine and a few groceries, she resolved to do only light tidying.
Margaret greeted her as if expecting this visit. Settling at the kitchen table, arms crossed, she said coldly
“Well, Mary. Listen close, girl. Think what you likeyoull prove nothing. No witnesses, and Oswald believes me. So if you want to stay in this family, youll clean, cook, and keep quiet. Clear?”
Mary clutched the grocery bag, fury rising. But she held back, merely nodding as if accepting.
“Understood,” she said evenly, then turned to leave.
Margaret smirked, thinking herself triumphant. But once outside, Mary pulled out her phoneshed recorded the entire exchange.
That evening, Oswald listened to the recording in his hotel room, shaken. His mothers voice was unmistakablemanipulation, threats, bald admissions. He covered his face.
“How could she Mother why?”
For the first time, he felt the ground give way. His mother wasnt the victim hed believed. Worse, his wife had been honest and patient all along, while hed doubted her.
He didnt call Margaret. The recording was too damning. This conversation would happen in person.
Returning from his trip, Oswald didnt go home. Suitcase in hand, he went straight to Margarets.
She opened the door, beaming.
“Oswald! Youre back! Ive missed you!” She threw her arms around him, kissed his cheek. “Come in, Ill put the kettle on”
He stood motionless. Her joy rang false. He took a breath.
“Wait, Mum. We need to talk.”
She turned, a flicker of unease in her eyes.
“Whats so urgent? You sound
