If you argue, my son will kick you out onto the street, declared the mother-in-law, forgetting whose flat this was.
Emily, bake a shepherds pie for dinner tomorrow, Margaret declared, sweeping into the kitchen and sitting at the table. I havent had a proper home-cooked meal in agesyoure always making foreign dishes.
Emily turned from the stove, where she was frying sausages for supper. Her mother-in-law sat with her usual pinched expression, straightening her familiar navy cardigan.
I cant eat lamb, Margaret, Emily replied evenly, flipping a sausage. I wont be making it.
What do you mean, you wont? Margarets voice sharpened. Ive asked nicely, and youre refusing? Who do you think you are to speak to me like that? In my day, daughters-in-law showed respect!
This isnt about respect, Emily said, moving the pan to another burner. If I cook lamb, Ill have an allergic reaction. Make it yourself if you want it so badly.
Make it myself? Margaret shot up from her chair. Im not your servant! Youre the lady of the housecook what I ask! And this allergy nonsense is just an excuse. Youre too lazy to handle pastry!
Margaret, whats laziness got to do with it? Emily turned to face her. I cook every day, clean, do the laundry. But I wont make a shepherds pie because I physically cant.
Cant or wont? Margaret stepped closer, eyes narrowing. You think just because my son married you, you can dictate terms? Well see whos really in charge here!
Keys jingled in the hallJames was home. Margarets expression instantly melted into wounded dismay.
James, love, she rushed to him. Thank goodness youre here. Your wifes grown downright insolent! I asked for a pie, and shes been horrid!
James hung his coat and gave his wife a weary lookshe stood by the stove, face tight.
Emily, whats this about? he asked, smoothing his tie.
Im allergic to lamb, James, Emily said quietly. Ive explained it to Margaret.
Allergy? What allergy? James waved a hand. Mum, dont fret. Emily will make the pie tomorrow. Right, love?
Emily looked at her husband, then at Margaret, who smirked in triumph. Her chest ached with hurt.
No, I wont, she said firmly, untying her apron. You two can sort your own dinner.
She shut the bedroom door behind her. Muffled voices drifted through the wallJames and his mother, chatting over supper as if nothing had happened. As if she hadnt just walked away heartbroken.
The next morning, Emily rose early. Margaret was still asleepthe house silent. James sat at the kitchen table, scrolling through his phone over tea.
James, we need to talk, Emily said, clasping her hands. A proper talk.
He glanced up, brow furrowed.
About what?
Your mother, Emily inhaled. Im tired of the constant criticism. She nitpicks everythingmy cooking, my cleaning, even my clothes. I wont be ordered about in my own home.
Emily, dont exaggerate, James set his phone down. Mums set in her ways. Thats all.
Her ways? Emilys voice tightened. Is that what you call bossing grown adults? James, maybe its time she found her own place? Were youngwe need space.
James slammed his cup down.
Youd toss my mother out? His voice turned icy. She asked to live with us, and youd throw her onto the street?
Im not saying that, Emily reached out, but he pulled back. Just a separate flat. We could help with rent
No, James stood, grabbing his briefcase. Mum stays. End of discussion.
The door slammed. Emily stared at his half-drunk tea, the bitterness of the argument lingering like the cold dregs. She washed the cup slowly, set it to dry.
The injustice burned. Margaret had given her own flat to her daughter, then insisted on moving in with them. And James saw nothing wrong! Emily was sick of living under his mothers scrutiny.
Half an hour later, Margaret entered the kitchen, hair perfectly coiled, dressing gown buttoned high. Displeasure etched her face.
What a spectacle you made, she sniffed. Ungrateful girl. Thought my son would side with you?
Emily sipped her tea, refusing to rise to the bait.
See? Margaret sat, triumphant. James knows whos in charge. And since thats settled, youll do as I say.
Emily set the kettle down harder than intended.
Today, youll clean this flat spotless, Margaret commanded. Windows, floors, bathroomeverything gleaming. You swan about like a lady, but this place is a pigsty!
Its not a pigsty, Emily muttered.
Not? Margarets voice rose. I saw dust on the mantel yesterday! The hall mirrors smeared! Argue again, and Ill tell James you defy me!
Something in Emily snappedlike a bowstring pulled too taut. She whirled around.
No! Her voice rang clear. I wont do it! Ive obeyed you too longlost myself in it! Cooking your meals, scrubbing on command, biting my tongue when you shout! Enough!
Margaret jolted up, face flushing.
How dare you speak to me like that?
I dare! Emily stood tall. Im a person, not your maid! I wont take your nagging anymore!
James will throw you out for this! Margaret shrieked, shaking a fist.
And thenyears of silence broke loose. Emily straightened, voice steady as steel.
Youve forgotten whose flat this is. Who lets you live here rent-free, bills unpaid, food untouched. Let me remind youthis is my flat. Bought before marriage. Before I ever met your son.
Margaret gaped, stunned.
Emily didnt stop.
From today, you wont order me about. Or its not me wholl be homelessits you.
Margarets mouth worked soundlessly before she recovered, face purpling.
Ill tell James! she screeched. Hell choose me over you!
Then leave together, Emily shot back. Ill keep my homethe one I pay for, clean, cook in. While you do nothing but complain!
Margaret stormed off, slamming her door. Soon, her shrill voice carried through the wallswhining to James about disrespect, threats.
Emily finished her tea, dressed for work. Let her complain. For once, shed spoken her truth.
That evening, James stormed in, face thunderous.
What the hell dyou think youre doing? he roared. Mums in tears! How dare you threaten her?
Threaten? Emily folded her arms. I stated a fact. This is my flat.
Ours! James bellowed. Whats yours is mine!
Not legally, Emily said coolly. And I wont tolerate her crueltyor your blindness.
Mums done nothing wrong!
Then live with her, Emily opened the front door wide. But not here. Pack your things and go.
James stared, disbelieving.
Youre serious?
Deadly, Emily pointed out. Youve used me long enough. Now chooseher or a life of your own. But I choose happiness. Without you.
Margaret scurried out, eyes wide at the open door.
Pack, Emily repeated. Youve got thirty minutes.
As they left, relief washed over Emily like a cleansing tide. The hardest step was taken.
**Lesson:** No one has the right to diminish your worth in your own home. Standing up for yourself isnt selfishnessits survival.
