Thats your motherso thats your responsibility! he snapped, but shed had enough.
Emily fastened her sons coat, gritting her teeth to keep her rising irritation in check. Another obligatory visit to her mother-in-law loomed aheada woman shed never seen eye to eye with. From the very beginning, their relationship had been strained.
Margaret Wilkins had long ago decided Emily wasnt the right wife for her son. No matter what she did, there was always criticism, always some nitpicking complaint.
Emily, what now? sighed Peter, watching her stormy expression. You dont want to go, do you?
She scoffed and shook her head.
Seriously, Peter?! Youre really asking me that? You know exactly why I dont want to go!
Her eyes burned with frustration.
Shell lecture me again, pick at everything, invent problems where there arent any! Shell say Im raising our child wrong, like she always does! And she couldnt care less that I work, that I run the entire household, cook, clean, and pay all the bills! Im the one keeping this family afloat, Peter!
But youre at home all day he muttered, shrugging.
Emily narrowed her eyes.
Oh, really? You think I just sit there staring at the wall? Or do you think money magically appears in our account?!
I work too, he grumbled, sounding wounded. Its not my fault I earn less.
The truth was, Emily, as a designer, earned three times what he did. The financial burden had always been hers to bear.
Maybe you could go alone? she suggested hopefully.
Emily, its Mothers Day! You cant just ignore her!
She pressed her lips together and finished dressing their son. Two hours later, they were at Margarets house.
In the living room, as usual, sat HannahPeters niece. Emily had long noticed that Margaret treated her like royalty while barely acknowledging her own grandson. But that wasnt surprisingHannahs parents had died five years ago, and Margaret had taken her in.
Around them, Margarets sisters sipped tea and laughed loudly.
Then came the words that changed everything.
Ive made a decision, Margaret announced. Im leaving my flat to Hannah. Peter, you already have your own home.
Peter didnt even flinch. He just nodded.
A few days later, the paperwork was done. The flat officially belonged to Hannahon the condition shed only move in after Margarets death.
But fate had other plans.
A stroke left Margaret completely helpless.
We have to move in with her, Peter declared. She cant manage on her own.
Emilys stomach twisted. She knew exactly what that meant.
Shed be the one feeding, bathing, and caring for herwhile still working and raising their child.
But she said nothing.
Weeks passed, and Emily never got a moments rest.
Then, one evening, she snapped.
Peter, your mothers flat belongs to Hannah. Maybe *she* should take care of her?
Hannahs at uni, Emily. And shes got a boyfriend. She cant just move him in here!
Emily laughed dryly, bitterly, in disbelief.
Peter, I cant do this anymore!
He crossed his arms.
Right. So youve had enough?
Her hands trembled.
Im drowning in all of this! You, your mother, our child, my job ITS TOO MUCH!
But you work from home he said with a mocking smirk.
Her gaze turned icy.
And whats that supposed to mean? You think thats not a real job?!
Her heart pounded wildly.
You know what? *You* can take care of your mother now!
Shes my mother, but shes *your* mother-in-law! Thats your duty! You want me to wipe her?!
Silence.
Then Emily spoke, calm but freezing.
I dont owe you anything.
Peter snorted.
Then hire a carer!
Oh, really? *You* paying for that?
Why should *I* pay?!
Then there wont be a carer.
She crossed her arms.
You can use your mothers pension. Or your salary?
Peters face darkened with anger.
Then whats the point of having a wife?!
And that was the moment.
Something inside Emily shattered for good.
Everything became crystal clear.
Peter had been using her all these years.
And Hannah? She hadnt visited her grandmother once.
That night, Emily didnt sleep a wink.
By morning, she knew what she had to do.
When Peter left for work, she packed their bags, took their son, and walked out.
She left one message, then blocked his number:
*I wont carry this weight alone anymore.*
That evening, Peter stormed over, furious.
You come back, or Ill file for divorce!
Emily smiled faintly.
File it. I was going to anyway.
For the first time, Peter was speechless.
But she didnt wait for an apology. The decision was already made.
A month later, they were divorced.
Peter never admitted he was wrong.
And Emily?
She didnt regret a single second.
Six months later
Emily heard the news.
Margaret had passed away.
And Hannah?
Without a second thought, she kicked Peter out.
Only then did he understand.
Hed lost everything.
