**Diary Entry**
Looking back, I dont regret what I did that day. The choice came suddenly, but it wasnt born from angerjust years of built-up pain, disappointment, and exhaustion. I asked my mother-in-law to leave our home, and even now, I stand by that decision.
My name is Emily. Im thirty-six. My husband, William, and I had built a quiet, happy life together with our three childrenour daughter, Sophie, and the twins, Oliver and James. It wasnt easy, but we made it work. Until the day everything shattered.
William died in a car accident. I remember the callthe detached voice of a hospital worker telling me to come at once. By the time I got there, it was too late. The world collapsed around me. Suddenly, I was alone, raising three children without the rock that had been my husband.
In those early days, I pitied his mother, Margaret. She was older, and losing her son broke her. Margaret had always been difficultharsh, critical, unbearable at times. But I told myself, *Shes Williams mother. For his sake, Ill care for her, no matter how hard it is.* So I invited her to live with us. She had another daughter, Charlotte, who lived in Manchester, but no one offered to take her in.
Living together was a struggle. I worked, juggled the housework, the children, the financeseverything. The little money I managed to save went into a small drawer in the bookcase. I hoped, bit by bit, to build a future for my children.
But something was wrong. Every time I checked, there was less than I remembered. At first, I thought Id miscounted. Then I wondered if Id spent it without realising. But month after month, it kept happening. The more I saved, the more disappeared. It drove me mad. For half a year, I couldnt figure it out.
Until the day I overheard Margaret on the phone. Id been feeling unwell and decided to stay home. Thats when I heard her raised voice. I didnt mean to listen, but I couldnt help it.
She was talking to a man.
*”Yes, Ive sent it already. The money should reach you soon. Pass it to Charlotteshe needs new furniture”*
My heart stopped. Suddenly, I understood. The money Id scraped togethershed been secretly sending it to Charlotte. The money meant for *my* childrens future was being used to make *her* daughters life easier.
I sat down and criednot from sadness, but from sheer determination. Enough was enough. For years, Id been patient, telling myself, *Shes grieving too.* But that day, I realised: I couldnt let her steal from my children.
When she left the room, I confronted her.
*”Margaret, I heard everything. I know where my moneys been going.”*
She looked stunned, then defensive.
*”Emily, you dont understandCharlottes struggling. I just wanted to help.”*
I held her gaze.
*”And what about my children? Did you think of them? Do you think William, watching from heaven, would want his childrens future taken from them so Charlotte can buy a new sofa?”*
She fell silent. Anger and shame flickered in her eyes, but it didnt matter anymore.
*”You need to leave. Pack your things and go.”*
That was the day I asked her to leave. Some might judge me, others might understand. But I know I did the right thing. I couldnt live with the injustice any longer. I had to protect my childrentheir future, their peace.
Now, Im the only one holding this family together. Its hard, yes. But if Margaret ever misses her grandchildren and wants to see them, I wont stop her. The children arent to blame for our feudthey love their grandmother, and I wont take that from them.
Still, my decision stands. Never again will I let someone take what my children and I have fought so hard for.
Writing this now, I wonderwas I right to send her away? Should I have shown mercy, like I did years ago? But deep down, I know the truth: this time, I chose correctly.
