So, I was driving over to my husbands mums place with dinner because she was poorly, when my solicitor called and shouted, Get back here now!
My husband had asked me to drop off dinner for his sick mum. Halfway there, my solicitor rang, and everything changed. Come home RIGHT NOW, she snapped. I was in the middle of the M25 with a freshly baked lasagne in the boot when her call turned my evening upside down. What I walked into that night revealed the darkest sides of the two people closest to me.
I used to think my life was stable. As a finance director at a well-paid job, I had the independence Id always dreamed of. My bills were paid, the fridge was stocked, and I could treat myself now and then. Everything seemed under controluntil I learned the truth about my husband, William.
The day I found out shattered the life Id carefully built in ways I never expected.
William and I met eight years ago on a hiking trip organised by mutual friends. He was the kind of bloke who lit up a room without even trying. I remember his easy laugh making everyone grin, even when we were trudging up a steep hill. By the end of the weekend, I was sure Id met one of the most interesting people in my life.
But we didnt start dating straight away.
For two years, we stayed matestexting, meeting for coffee, sharing bits of our lives. William was always cheerful and witty, though I did notice his stubborn streak. Hed insist things go his way, whether it was picking a restaurant or weekend plans. I put it down to confidence and brushed it off. No ones perfect, right?
Three years after that hike, William and I got married. I thought we were ready for the next step, though our shift from friendship to romance hadnt been smooth.
Yeah, he could be pushy, especially about money. Hed often borrow small sums, promising to pay me back next payday. Honestly, it didnt bother me. I told myself it was part of building a future together.
But marriage showed a different side of Williamone I wasnt prepared for.
Slowly, I realised his mum, Linda, played too big a role in his life. She was overly protective, and I often felt like I was competing with her for his attention. And William? He always took her side if we argued. It drove me mad how hed dismiss my concerns as overreacting.
Once, when I asked why her opinion mattered more than mine, he said, Shes my mum, Emily. Shes been there my whole life. I cant just ignore her.
Truthfully, his words stung. I didnt expect him to justify it, but somehow, I convinced myself it wasnt a big deal. Familys complicated, isnt it?
I kept ignoring it, hoping things would improve. I thought William would grow out of putting his mum first and learn to balance his priorities. But the cracks in our marriage only widened, and I started doubting if Id been naive about love and partnership.
I wasnt ready for what was coming. Fate had a much harsher reveal in store.
Looking back, the warning signs were there. William loved luxury but never seemed to spend his own money on it. Early on, hed borrow from me, spinning tales about investments or lavish gifts for Linda. Were building something together, hed say with that charming smile.
Spoiler: I never saw a penny of those investments again.
Meanwhile, Linda was another story. She had a knack for making me feel like Id never be good enough for her precious son. The worst part? Shed always find fault with our gifts.
A few months ago, we bought her a new microwave, thinking shed be chuffed. Its fine, but why isnt it a smart one? she said, rolling her eyes.
A pricey spa day we treated her to? She called the masseuse dreadful.
No matter how hard I tried, Linda always found a way to criticise. Still, I bit my tongue. I wanted a good relationship with herfor Williams sake, and yes, for mine. I thought kindness might win her over eventually. But kindness doesnt always win, does it?
Then there was Williams money habit.
His borrowing didnt stop after we married. If anything, it got worse. It wasnt just investments anymoreit was always about Linda. Mum needs a new chair, hed say. Or, Mums birthdays coming up. I want to get her something special.
And every time, I gave in.
I told myself it was just money, that compromise was part of marriage. I wanted to believe we were building something, even if it felt like I was the only one putting in the effort.
The night everything changed started like any other. Linda was feeling poorlyor so William said. She hasnt eaten all day, he muttered, rubbing his temples.
That evening, we were supposed to meet our estate agent to finalise buying the house wed rented for five years. This was supposed to be our big momenta dream wed worked toward for ages. I couldnt wait to sign the papers and finally call the place ours.
But William seemed distracted. As we sat down to review the documents, he sighed dramatically.
We need to reschedule, he said. Mums really poorly.
Reschedule? I asked. William, weve waited a year for this. Cant we see her after?
She hasnt eaten all day, Emily, he repeated, his tone sharpening. Ill take care of her. Could you drop off some of your lasagne? You know how much she loves it.
What about the house? I pressed. This has to be done today.
Relax, he said, waving me off. Well sort it tomorrow.
Something in his voice felt off, but I pushed the thought aside. He was just worried about his mum, wasnt he?
Despite our issues, Linda loved my lasagne. This cheesy masterpiece always earned her rare praise. I figured making it for her in a tough moment might ease the tension between us. So, I rolled up my sleeves and got to work.
As the lasagne baked, I couldnt stop thinking about the sacrifices wed made to save for the house. Skipped holidays, cheap meals, overtimeall for this dream.
This house was supposed to be our fresh start.
Legally, it was in Williams name due to some inheritance quirks, but I wasnt worried. In England, marital assets are split 50-50 in a divorce. I trusted William, though that little detail did nag at me.
Around 6 PM, I got in the car with the still-warm lasagne. William said he had a meeting and couldnt come.
Twenty minutes into the drive, my phone rang. It was Sarah, my solicitor. She never called after hours unless it was urgent.
Hi, I said. Whats up?
Get home NOW, she barked.
What? Sarah, whats happening?
Its William, she said. Theyre at your house with the estate agent. You need to get back.
Whos they? I asked, already turning the car around.
William and Linda, she said, her voice tight. Theyre signing papers to transfer the house into Lindas name.
What the
Just get home! she cut in, hanging up.
When I pulled into the driveway, my hands were shaking so badly I could barely unbuckle my seatbelt.
Inside, the scene was worse than Id imagined.
William stood in the living room with papers hed clearly hidden from me. Linda was beside him, looking perfectly healthy.
The estate agent, hovering awkwardly, looked like she regretted everything.
Whats going on? I demanded.
William stepped forward. Love, just listen
No, Sarah interrupted, striding in right behind me. She mustve followed me home. Let me explain, since you clearly cant be honest.
Then she turned to me.
Theyre transferring the house into Lindas name, she said. Your house, Emily. The one you saved for.
I stared at William, unable to process what I was seeing.
Why? My voice was barely a whisper. How could you do this?
Linda crossed her arms, lips twisting into a smug smile.
Its simple, she said. Williams always been my son first, and I have to protect his assets. You cant trust just anyone these days, can you?
I was speechless.
But thats not all, Sarah cut in. I did some digging after the agent flagged this. Lindas been planning for William to marry someone elseher friends daughter. They were going to file for divorce, leave you with nothing, and move on like you never existed.
My chest tightened, and the room spun.
You planned this with her? I choked out. I trusted you
