You seem to have forgotten this flat is minebought before we married! I said coolly as I overheard my husband confidently giving orders about my home.
Emily set her teacup on the windowsill and stared thoughtfully outside. Shed saved for this place for ten years, working two jobs. Every penny carefully put aside, denying herself any luxuries. And now
Em, I thought wed rearrange the furniture a bit, came her mother-in-laws voice from the lounge. That sofa is completely in the wrong spot.
Emily sighed. Margaret had turned up unannounced again, letting herself in with the key shed had copiedjust in case.
Its fine as it is, Emily said, stepping into the room. I like it this way.
How can you? Margaret threw her hands up. Its all wrong according to feng shui! I watched a programme about it last night
Margaret, I really dont want it moved.
James! his mother raised her voice as he walked in. Tell your wife that in a family, elders should be listened to.
James hesitated, glancing between them.
Mum, maybe not now?
When, then? Your father and I arent getting any younger. Soon well need looking after. And youve got so much space here
Emily clenched her jaw. There it washer worst fear since the wedding. Margaret was slowly paving the way to move in.
You have a lovely three-bed flat, Emily reminded her.
Lovely?! Margaret scoffed. Third floor with no lift! At our age, thats no good. But hereground floor, shops nearby
Mum, well talk about this later, James tried to intervene.
Whats to discuss? I thought we were family. Families stick together. Your sister took your aunt in straight away
Sophies husband bought their place, Emily snapped. I earned this flat myself. Before we married.
Oh, here we go! Margaret threw her hands up again. Mine, yours In a family, everything should be shared!
Emilys right, James said, unexpectedly firm. This is her flat.
Son, what are you saying? Margaret clutched her chest dramatically. Ive given everything for you And now you
Mum, not now, please, James took her arm. Come on, Ill walk you out.
When the door closed, Emily sank into the armchair, exhausted. Three years of marriage, and these conversations never stopped. First hints, then unsolicited decorating advice, now outright demands
Sorry about Mum, James sat beside her. You know she means well.
Does she? Emily gave a dry laugh. She just wants to control us.
Dont be like that
James, she walks in uninvited. Rearranges things. Criticises everything from the curtains to my cooking. Now she wants to move in!
They *are* getting older, James sighed. Maybe we should consider it? Theyre still my parents
Emily shot up from her seat.
Consider it? Youre seriously suggesting they live here?
Not straight away, but eventually
James, this flat is the one thing I worked for. Ten years of savingdo you get that? Its *my* space, *my*
*Our* space, James corrected gently. Were married.
Emily froze. A thought flashed through her mind: *You too? You think my flat is yours now?*
Actually, James continued casually, since were talking about the flat I spoke to an estate agent.
What estate agent? Emily tensed.
Mum recommended someone. A proper expert. He said if we sell this place
*Sell my flat?!* Emily spun to face him.
*Our* flat, James corrected. If we sell ours and my parents, we could get a house outside London. Space for everyone, fresher air
Emily stared, stunned. Had he and his mother planned this behind her back?
James, are you hearing yourself? Her voice shook. What house? What sale?
Love, it makes sense, James said soothingly. Why keep a city flat when we could
The doorbell rang. A man in a suit stood there.
Good evening. Im from the estate agency. I had an appointment with Mr. Thompson
Perfect timing, Emily swung the door open.
James paled.
Em, wait
No, *you* wait. She turned to the agent. Are you aware this flat is solely in my name? Bought before marriage?
The agent glanced at James, confused.
Your husband said
My husband says a lot of things. Emily pulled a folder from the cupboard. Hereownership papers. Marriage certificate. See the dates?
Right In that case, the sale cant proceed without your consent.
Exactly. And Im not giving it.
We had an agreement! Margaret cut in.
*You* had an agreement. Behind my back.
The agent left, promising to refund Jamess deposit. Emily packed his things into a suitcase.
You cant do this! Margaret wailed. Were family!
We *were*, Emily zipped the case shut. Until you decided to run my life.
James grabbed her hand.
Emily, lets talk!
About what? You trying to sell my flat? Or the loan you took out?
I wanted whats best
For *who*? She yanked her hand free. Your mother? You? Certainly not me.
Her phone buzzeda bank alert. The flat had been pledged as collateral for a loan. A signature was needed to finalise it. Her vision blurred.
What is *this*? She shoved the phone at James. When did you do this?
He looked away.
It was for the house deposit I thought wed agree eventually
Agree? Emily laughed coldly. Did you forge my signature?
The down payment was urgent! Margaret interjected. You always make things difficult
*Im* making it difficult? Emilys voice rose. You take a loan against *my* flat, and *Im* the problem?
Dear
Dont dear me! She stepped back. Get out. Both of you.
Emily
*Out.* Tomorrow Im going to the bank. And the police.
You wouldnt! Margaret gasped. Hes your husband!
Not anymore. Emily slid off her ring and dropped it on the table.
James reached for her.
Please, lets talk
Theres nothing left to say. Leave the keys and go.
Youll regret this! Margaret shouted as they left.
Emily walked down the path, feeling lighter than she had in years. Her phone buzzedJames calling. She declined and blocked him.
Her best friend hugged her tight.
Tell me everything.
Emily did. How Margaret had slowly invaded her life. How James always sided with his mother. How shed tried to keep the peace, sacrificing her own happiness.
And now this loan, she muttered. How could he?
Will you go to the police?
Yes. And the bank. Theyll know I never agreed.
Her phone kept buzzingMargaret texting threats, lawsuits. Emily deleted them all.
What now? her friend asked, pouring more wine.
Now I live for *me.* Not for people who see me as a means to a house.
For the first time in ages, she felt free. Plans rushed through her headredecorating, a holiday, finally joining that yoga class
The next morning, a text from Margaret: *Youve torn this family apart!* James followed: *Ill fix this. Just come home.*
Emily smirked. There was no home to go back to. Not to a life where she wasnt respected.
At the bank, they took her statement seriously. The police opened a fraud case. James called from different numbers, begging her to drop it. She refused.
I almost caved, she admitted to her friend. When he said family again
And now?
Now I knowfamily respects boundaries. Doesnt control you. Doesnt steal from you.
That evening, Emily changed the locks, tossed out Margarets gifts, and rearranged the furniture. Her spacehers alone.
The next day, a court summons arrivedJames was suing for the flat. Emily laughed. Let him try. Her paperwork was ironclad. But hed have to explain that forged signature
Another text from Margaret: *Youre destroying this family!* Emily deleted it without hesitation. In her new life, there was no room for people who didnt respect her.
