“You’ve got a new son-in-law now, Mum! How could you do this to me?” shouted Emily, her voice shaking with anger. “I don’t want to see you at his place again! Think about me for once!”
Emily is forty, and her words were sharp with betrayal. She divorced Paul years ago and remarried three years later. They had spent twelve years together, raising their daughter Sophie, who’s now ten. Recently, Emily caught her mother, Margaret, visiting her ex-husband in the quiet town of Oakwood. She’d brought Sophie over for the weekend and was stunned to find Margaret there, dropping by more often these days. The sight of her mother cozying up to Paul felt like a knife in the back, and Emily’s hurt erupted in fury.
Margaret had always wished for a son but was blessed only with a daughter. When Emily first brought Paul home, her parents weren’t impressed. A simple mechanic with no property of his own, he didn’t seem like a good match. Margaret and her husband treated him coolly at first, but over time—especially after her husband passed—she saw Paul’s kindness. He became her rock, always there when she needed help.
“Sorry, Margaret,” Paul said shortly after the wedding. “My mum’s gone, but I can’t call you ‘Mum’.”
She didn’t push. His respect was enough. She grew to admire his skill and generosity. When Emily was pregnant with Sophie and Margaret was hospitalised for kidney surgery, Paul juggled the hospital visits and household duties. He brought meals, comforted her, kept everything running. After she was discharged, he handled chores without complaint, ensuring neither she nor Emily overexerted. When Sophie was born, Paul was overjoyed, proving himself a devoted father.
But as years passed, Emily changed. Promotions at work, new social circles—she began looking down on Paul. She mocked his plain clothes, his accent, his lack of a degree. “He can’t even hold a conversation about books!” she complained, comparing him to her polished colleagues. Margaret defended him:
“You chose him, love. Your dad didn’t like him, but you insisted. Now what’s the fuss?”
Her heart ached watching the marriage crumble. Paul earned more than many professors, fixed everything around the house, adored his child—yet Emily never appreciated him. One day, Margaret snapped:
“Paul’s got a heart of gold and hands to match! Not every high-flier does half as much for their family!”
Emily just waved her off. She’d met Anton, her new beau, and constantly measured Paul against him, finding only flaws. Soon, she filed for divorce. Paul listened quietly, never raising his voice. He just walked to the kitchen, shoulders trembling with grief. It shattered him, but he’d seen the distance growing for years.
He left Emily the two-bedroom flat they’d bought together and moved into a tiny rented room. He paid child support on time, spoiled Sophie with gifts, attended school meetings, and took her every other weekend. Everything ran smoothly until Margaret started visiting him more often.
A year ago, Paul reached out:
“Sorry I’ve been scarce. If you ever need repairs or errands run, just ask. And pop round mine anytime.”
That’s how their bond deepened. He fixed leaky taps, brought groceries; she dropped by with homemade pies and chats. They strolled through the park with Sophie, and Margaret felt Paul had become the son she’d always wanted. Meanwhile, Emily drifted away after remarrying, barely calling. Her mother cherished the warmth Paul gave.
But when Emily found out, she exploded:
“What, are you adopting him now? How can you cozy up to him when I’ve moved on?”
The words stung, but Margaret stood firm. Paul had been there through her darkest days—he was family. She saw no harm in their friendship, but Emily took it as betrayal. Now they barely speak, and Margaret is torn between love for her daughter and loyalty to Paul.
She won’t yield to the guilt. Paul has earned his place in her life. Emily can rage, but Margaret won’t abandon someone who’s been more family than most. She just hopes one day her daughter sees that a good heart outweighs old grudges. So tell me—is Margaret right to stay close to her ex-son-in-law, or does Emily have the right to be furious?
