Emily Taylor

“Mum, why didnt you invite me to your birthday?” She gripped the phone so tightly her knuckles

Long ago, in a small village nestled in the Yorkshire Dales, I cast my mother-in-law out of our home

The house felt like a fever dream, walls bending as Nina swayed in the doorway. The thermometer blinked 102.

The summer sun scorched the quiet town of Greenfield like a hammer on asphalt, melting away any lingering coolness.

**The Free Loader**Misha finally fell asleep around three in the morning. I sat on the edge of the bed

Emma signed the last document with a sigh of relief, leaning back in the solicitors chair. September

**Journal Entry 15th March** Bloody hell, Ive had enough! How much longer can this go on? My wifes always

Emma stood by the chipped grey doors of the maternity ward, frozen like a statue, the weight of solitude

**Diary Entry 15th October**Before my father passed away, he made my stepmother leave the house.

**Monday, 12th November**Life after the wedding was peacefuljust the way Oliver and I had dreamed.