I wanted a divorce, she whispered, and turned her face away.
It was a chilly night in London when Poppy quietly said, I want a divorce, averting her eyes from my husband, Jamess, gaze.
Jamess complexion went ashen in an instant. A mute question hung in the air.
Ill leave you to the woman you truly love, Poppy said, realizing that the most important woman in his life had always been his mother. Im tired of being the second choice.
A knot formed in my throat, and tears welled up in her eyes. Years of hurt and disappointment burst forth, squeezing the breath out of her chest.
What are you talking about? Which other woman? James asked, stunned, staring at his wife in disbelief.
Weve talked about this a hundred times. Since we married, your mother has been draining us financially, emotionally and timewise, and you accept it because her tea is stronger and her scones are fluffier. I cant take it any longer, Poppy burst out.
Her cheeks flushed as tears streamed down her reddened face. She mourned the dreams shed once held so clearlya promising fiancé, a respectable career, life in central London that had always felt like a battle for her own happiness.
Five years earlier, Poppy had nervously stepped into the spacious living room of their flat. The furniture, the crockery, the décoreverything seemed expensive and fragile to a girl who had spent most of her life in shared houses and a student hall.
How did I ever get so lucky to find a man with his own flat? she had joked, slipping her hands onto Jamess shoulders.
Just wait until I leave my socks everywhere and youll see how impressed you are, he had replied.
Their romance had blossomed quickly, demanding a sequel of its own.
Back then, Poppy was finishing her final year in journalism at King’s College, while James, five years her senior, worked as a sales manager with a solid salary.
A year after moving in together they married.
Soon we can turn the spare room into a nursery, Poppy had said once, hugging James and hinting that she was ready for children.
A month later, an unexpected addition arrived: Jamess mother, Mrs. Parker, standing on the doorstep with two suitcases. She believed she had a perfect relationship with her sonat least from her point of view.
Her upbringing, steeped in constant guilt and the demands of a selfmade man, had produced a son who felt indebted to her. She was proud that he had come far in life and convinced herself that it was all thanks to her.
Each payday James used to clear debts for the flat, the car and his childhood. Poppy watched from the sidelines, careful not to upset her husband, and only gently raised the subject now and then.
Where did you invest the money from selling the house? Poppy asked while pouring tea, trying to steer the conversation. Mrs. Parker hailed from a small village near Norwich, where she had inherited a modest cottage with a garden.
Every year James offered to help her find a place in the city, but she refused to move. Suddenly she sold the cottagequickly, but for a low price.
Partly for my future holidays, partly to fund my new business, she explained.
Despite the hardships of her youth, Mrs. Parker remained ambitious, active, and very domineering. Dealing with people like her required caution, because she was known to bite the hand that offered a finger.
Recently shed discovered an online cosmetics company. A condition for continued cooperation was a substantial monthly purchase of products. Mrs. Parker ploughed the proceeds from the house sale into that very income.
Ive decided it wont be a problem staying here, she declared confidently, stirring honey into her tea.
Of course, we love having guests! Poppy replied, trying to ensure it was only a temporary measure. I hope we can find you a better place soon. Ill ask my friend, shes an estate agent and can locate a flat in a nice neighbourhood.
No need. Two flats are too many. Well save here; its no trouble, Mrs. Parker retorted, casting herself as a victim of circumstance.
Poppy stared at James, hopeful. She had nothing against his mother, but sharing the home permanently was a difficult proposition with no justification. James merely shrugged and said, Whatever works for you.
He always backed his mothers ideas, no matter how questionable, believing he had no right to object to anything Mrs. Parker said or did.
She dabbled in macramé, candlemaking, soapmaking, and compiling diaries and photo albums. She tried to strike gold, and found it in James, who funded all the equipment, materials and a decent lifestyle for her projects.
Since becoming a senior manager, Mrs. Parker hadnt worked a single day herself.
Jamess childlike conviction to repay his mother for his upbringing literally suppressed his own will. He offered disproportionate financial support and gave his unconditional approval to everything she suggested.
It was astonishing how a grown, independent man could be reduced to a childs level of compliance under such influence.
The spare room never became a nursery, and three years later little had changed. Poppy was now working for a publishing house, her articles appearing in the Family & Relationships section. She illuminated happy and sad stories, analysing situations from a psychological angle, yet she could not bring clarity to her own family.
Her opinions meant nothing; she lingered in the background while Mrs. Parker wielded the reins.
Poppy understood the dynamicsa only child of a single mother marrying a man whose mother would consume all his time and moneyonly by focusing on herself could she hope to survive.
Mrs. Parkers sense of superiority, mixed with the belief that her son owed her something, only deepened the problem. The only person who could have seen the solution was James, but he remained blind.
The whole flat had become saturated with the cosmetics companys products; Poppy could no longer stand the bottles and jars. The business never yielded the promised earnings, and Poppy saw it for what it was: a hollow pastime for James and a timewaster for his mother.
Shed raised the issue repeatedly, only to hear, Mum knows what shes doing, from James and, You must be patient. A tree doesnt grow overnight, from Mrs. Parker. Yet three years later the tree still hadnt sprouted, while expenses kept climbing.
When Mrs. Parker suggested that Poppy should also invest in the family business, Poppy finally realised drastic measures were needed.
The final straw came on New Years Eve 2023, when the couple finally managed a night out alone. After iceskating, they sat in a tiny café, cheeks flushed, love radiating from Poppy so strongly that anyone nearby could feel it.
James, are you happy? she asked.
Of course, he replied, taking her hand. With you by my side, how could I be anything but?
I want a child, Poppy whispered, leaning in.
Right now? James smiled, kissing her hand.
That night they agreed it was time to bring a miracle into the world. Twentyfour hours later, however, Mrs. Parker stormed into their bedroom as Poppy returned from work.
You cant have a child now! she blurted.
Shocked by his mothers boldness, Poppy didnt react immediately.
James still hasnt cleared the mortgage, and the car loan is still there, she argued, finally confronting her motherinlaw. Youre just afraid hell stop feeding you your endless whims.
Ive always wanted the best for my son, even if Ive asked for a little help, Mrs. Parker retorted. Hes the only one I can count on because I raised him, clothed him and made him a good, independent man.
You owe him nothing for that, Poppy snapped. You chose to have a child of your own, not for his sake. If you need his help, it should be out of love, not duty.
Mrs. Parker seemed to understand but clung to her comfortable life, finally saying, James will see Im right.
Poppy feared this might be true, as her husband relied heavily on his mothers opinion.
No obstacle could stop her from wanting a baby, but for James the barrier was his mothera fact that left Poppy disappointed yet hopeful for his eventual reason.
A latenight conversation made it clear James was hopelessly lost, even to himself. The day before, hed been enthusiastic about a child; now he argued, Maybe its not time yet. Why rush? Were not ready, we cant provide everything a child needs. Poppy knew it could not go on.
I want a divorce, she declared, a decision made because their family life had reached a dead end.
Jamess face turned ghostly white.
Ill leave you to the woman you truly love. Im done being the second string.
She could no longer shut her eyes to the searing injustice she felt. How many times had she tried to talk since his mother moved in, only to have James deny reality? Pure conversation never broke through; tears streamed down her face.
What are you talking about? Which other woman? James asked, bewildered, staring at his wife.
Since we married you keep saying Mum, Mum Her soup is sourer and her scones are fluffier. She runs all our finances. I cant bear this any longer, Poppy said, her voice shaking.
James tried to comprehend how theyd arrived here, wondering when hed lost controlor perhaps never had it. When Poppy fell silent, he sat beside her on the bed, looking at her tearstained face.
Is it really just about Mum living with us? he asked.
How can you not see? Shes taken you over. You dont belong to yourself. Without my salary wed be scraping by. She forbade me from getting pregnant because she fears losing her generous income stream. Your mother is a good woman, but she must recognise boundaries she cant cross, and you keep erasing them with your total compliance. You both suffer, as will any child we might have. Your debts are paid off, Jameslive for yourself, not for your mother.
The conversation was uncomfortable for both, but James asked for a chance, promising to sort out his relationship with his mother and put their future together first.
The first steps were hard: refusing the large monthly sums his mother demanded for her empty venture, then telling her she could no longer reside with them.
A month later Poppy chose wallpaper for the nursery. She got along with Mrs. Parker better now that they werent sharing a roof; sometimes the older woman stopped by. James struggled to adjust to the change, but eventually relented, realising he could no longer bear the full weight of his mothers expectations.
Deprived of Jamess financial support, Mrs. Parker couldnt keep buying from the cosmetics firm and was effectively pushed out. She eventually found a regular job and learned to rely on herself.
A year later they welcomed a child, and Mrs. Parker, now content, helped James and Poppy with joy. The whole family spent time together often, and everyone was happy.
