“Did we really build a big house without any proper purpose?”
“So we built a grand house for nothing?” snapped the mother-in-law. “Then give back half its worth!”
“I need to have a serious talk with you,” said the woman with short hair, sitting across from Emily. “Before you became serious with my son, there are a few things you should know.”
The petite blonde stared in surprise at her future relative, whom shed only met three times in her life.
“So, if you want to become part of our family, you must understand that the most important people to William are his parents!” declared Margaret proudly. “We dont need a daughter-in-law wholl try to control him.”
“Am I controlling him?” Emily interrupted.
“Let me finish, please! Have some patience,” Margaret replied sharply.
The girl lowered her gaze immediately, flushing bright red. She didnt want to upset Williams mother. They had only just started dating, and Emily wasnt ready to push her luck.
“Yes,” Margaret continued. “Our family has a plan: once William marries, well all move into the house thats nearly finished. Well live together as one big, happy family!”
“Brilliant!” Emily forced a smile.
Hearing this, Margaret raised her eyebrows in surprise. She hadnt expected such quick agreement.
“Im so glad you agree! I think well become great friends,” Margaret said with a knowing wink.
From then on, she sang Emilys praises to her son, calling her kind, clever, and thoughtful.
Eager to please, Emily began showering Margaret with small gifts, with or without occasion, to show her affection.
A year later, fearing the couple might not marry after all, Margaret started pressuring William to propose.
“When will you pop the question?” she pestered him almost daily. “Shell get tired of waiting and leave youthen youll regret it!”
Convinced, William finally proposed, and Emily joyfully accepted.
Since his parents paid for the wedding, Emily felt reassured shed chosen well.
The newlyweds spent the first three months in a rented flat before Margaret excitedly announced the house was ready.
“Pack your thingswere moving in together!” she said brightly.
“Why? Were fine here!” Emily frowned, unwilling to live with her in-laws.
“Why? We agreed on this!” Margaret looked stunned.
“Whos stopping you? Move in if you like!” Emily scoffed, her tone suddenly sharp.
Margaret was so shocked she fell silent for a moment.
“Waityou promised,” she said quietly.
“That was then. Ive changed my mind. Well live separately,” Emily snapped. “In fact, since youve already moved, William and I will take your flat!”
“Excuse me?” Margaret gasped. “You little cheat!” She hung up, furious.
Emily listened to the dial tone before setting the phone down. Moments later, Williams phone rang in the kitchen.
She overheard his tense conversationMargaret calling to complain.
Half an hour later, when he finally hung up, Emily walked in. His face was stormy.
“Whats going on?” he demanded.
“Whats wrong?” she countered, arms crossed.
“Mum called. She wants money.”
“What? For what?” Emily was stunned.
“For the house. Did you promise her wed all live together?”
“I dont recall,” Emily lied.
“You agreed to her plan, didnt you?”
“So what if I did? Ive changed my mind.” She looked away.
“I refused because it was nonsense! That house sat unfinished for three years until she rushed to complete it after our weddingfor you!” William clenched his jaw.
“Well, its done now. Whats the fuss?”
Before he could answer, Margaret called again. William handed Emily the phone.
“You talk to her.”
The moment Margaret heard Emilys voice, she erupted.
“Pay us back for the house!”
“What money? Are you mad?” Emily shot back.
“Because of you, we built that house for nothing! Then return half its value!”
“Half? Ridiculous!”
“Five hundred thousand! You owe us five hundred thousand pounds! Or else”
“Or what? I signed nothing!” Emily sneered.
“Then well cut ties with you!” Margaret threatened.
“Oh no!” Emily laughed and hung up.
Margaret then demanded monthly payments from Williamfive thousand pounds.
“At this rate, itll take you a decade!” she fumed. “Either move in or pay more!”
Unable to afford larger sums, William agreed.
But Emily refused. Six months later, they divorced.
*Some promises are made in haste, but the cost of breaking them lasts a lifetime.*
