Mum’s Not Exactly Winning Any Parenting Awards: How Anna’s Cold Mother-in-Law Tried to Turn Her Son Against Her Until the Truth Finally Came Out

Author Walton MerrittReading 9 minViews 2

Mums Not Exactly the Best

Emily, have you left your wet towel hanging in the bathroom again?

My mother-in-laws voice rang out from the hallway, just as Emily stepped through the front door after work. Margaret stood there, arms folded, giving her that piercing look of disapproval.

Its drying, Emily replied as she kicked off her shoes. Thats why the hooks there.
In proper homes, towels go on the towel rail. Not that youd know.

Emily walked on by, refusing to dignify Margarets words with a reply. Twenty-eight, two degrees, a manager at work yet every single day she was made to feel guilty for something as trivial as a towel.

Margaret watched her daughter-in-law with a sour expression. That reticence, the way Emily would ignore her, walking about as if she owned the place. Margaret was fifty-five and thought she knew people; and shed never liked this girl. Cold, proud, distant. Her son, James, needed someone homely and warm, not this marble statue.

So Margaret watched and waited. She made notes. She remembered everything

Oliver, tidy your toys before dinner.
Dont want to.
Im not asking; tidy them up.

Six-year-old Oliver pouted, but began scooping up scattered toy soldiers. Emily didnt spare him a glance, still chopping vegetables.

Margaret watched from the sitting room. There it was that frostiness again. No smile, no kind word. Just orders. Poor lad.

Later, Oliver hopped up onto the sofa beside her when Emily had gone to fold washing.

Gran, whys Mum always so cross?

Margaret patted his head, seizing the perfect moment.

You know, darling, not everyone knows how to show they love people. Its rather sad.
But do you, Gran?
Of course, my treasure. Gran loves you ever so much. Grans not cross.

Oliver cuddled in closer and Margaret smiled, satisfied.

Each time they had a moment alone, she carefully embroidered the portrait shed started.

Mum wouldnt let me watch cartoons tonight Oliver grumbled one week later.
You poor thing. Shes quite strict, isnt she? Gran sometimes thinks shes a bit too strict too, but dont you worry, you can always come to me. Ill always understand.

The boy nodded, absorbing every word. Gran is kind. Gran understands. Mum

You know, Margaret would drop her voice to a conspiratorial whisper, its not your fault, Oliver. Some Mums just dont know how to be gentle. Remember, youre a wonderful boy. Its just your Mum who isnt very good.

Oliver would hug her tight. Something cold and unsettling took root in his chest whenever he thought of his mother.

Emily, after a month, started to notice the shift.

Oliver, love, come here for a cuddle.

He shook his head and kept away.

I dont want to.
Why not?
I just dont want to.

He scampered off, straight to his grandmother. Emily stood in the middle of the playroom, arms outstretched, utterly at a loss. Something had broken in their once-familiar life, and she hadnt even noticed it happening.

Margaret watched from the hallway, a hint of smugness tugging at her lips.

Sweetheart, Emily knelt beside Oliver that night have I upset you?
No.
Then why dont you want to play with me?

Oliver just shrugged. He looked distant, as if she were a stranger.

Want to go to Gran.

Emily let him go. In her chest, a dull ache grew.

James, I dont recognise Oliver anymore, Emily confessed to her husband late one night as everyone slept. He keeps away from me. He was never like this.
Oh, come on, Em. Kids are like that. One day its this, another day its that.
Its not sulking. He looks at me as if… as if Ive done something awful.
Youre making a mountain out of a molehill. Mums with him all day while were out. Hes probably just got attached.

Emily wanted to argue, but James had already buried himself in his phone.

Your Mum loves you, Margaret whispered as she tucked Oliver into bed on the evenings his parents worked late. In her own way. But not everyone can show kindness. Not every Mum knows how to be soft, you see?
But why?
It just happens, darling. Gran would never hurt you. Gran always protects you. Unlike Mum.

Oliver drifted off to sleep with those words echoing around his head. Each morning he eyed his mother with a little more suspicion.

Before long, it was clear where his loyalties lay.

Ollie, shall we go for a walk? Emily offered her hand.
No, I want to go with Gran.
Oliver…
With Gran!

Margaret quickly took Olivers hand.

For goodness sake, he doesnt want to. Come on, Oliver, lets go and get some ice cream.

Off they went, leaving Emily feeling crushed. Her own son was turning away from her. Running to his grandmother. And she didnt know why.

That evening, James found his wife sitting in the kitchen, her tea long cold, staring into space.

Emily, Ill talk to him. I promise.

She only nodded, too drained to say a word.

James sat down next to Oliver in the playroom.

Ollie, tell Dad. Why dont you want to be with Mum?

The boy looked away.

Just dont want to.
Thats not an answer. Has Mum upset you?
No…
Then whats wrong?

But Oliver said nothing. How could a six-year-old explain something even he didnt understand? Gran said Mum was cross, cold. So it must be true. Gran never lies.

James came away with nothing.

Meanwhile, Margaret was plotting her next move. It was obvious that Emily was on the verge of giving up. Just a bit more pressure and shed probably pack her bags and go. James deserved better. A real wife, not an ice maiden.

Ollie, she caught him in the hallway the next day while Emily was in the shower you know your Gran loves you most in the world?
I know.
And your Mum? Well, shes not really up to scratch, is she? Doesnt cuddle, doesnt fuss, always cross. My poor boy.

She didnt hear the footsteps behind her.

Mum.

Margaret turned. James stood in the doorway, his face ashen.

Oliver, go to your room he spoke quietly, but Oliver scampered off at once.

James, I was just…
I heard everything.

Silence, heavy and thunderous, settled over them.

Were you really turning him against Emily? This whole time?
I was looking out for my grandson! Shes like a prison warden with him!
Have you lost your mind?

Margaret shrank back. She had never seen her son look at her with such disgust.

James, listen
No. You listen. He stepped closer. Youve poisoned my son against his own mother. My wife. Do you even realise what youve done?
I meant well!
Well? Olivers terrified of his own Mum! Emilys at her wits end! Is that your idea of well?

Margaret lifted her chin.

Shes still not right for you. Cold, nasty, no feelings
Enough!

The shout seemed to shake the air. James was breathing heavily.

Pack your things. Tonight.
Youre throwing your own mother out?
Im protecting my family. From you.

Margaret opened her mouth then closed it again. In her son’s eyes, there was nothing to discuss. No second chance.

Within an hour shed gone, with not so much as a goodbye.

James found Emily in the bedroom.

I know why Olivers changed.

Emily looked up, eyes red from crying.

My mum. She shes been telling him youre mean, that you dont really love him. Shes been turning him against you all this time.

Emily sat very still, then slowly released a trembling breath.

I thought I was losing my mind. Thought I was a terrible mum.

James sat beside her, hugging her close.

Youre wonderful. Honestly. I dont know what got into Mum, but she wont come near Oliver again.

The following weeks were tough. Oliver missed his granny, couldnt understand why shed vanished. James and Emily spent hours with him, gentle and patient.

Love, Emily stroked Olivers hair what Gran said about me it isnt true. I love you. Very much.

Oliver looked uncertain.

But youre cross.
Not cross, just strict. Because I want you to grow up kind and good. Being strict is love too, you know.

He thought for a long while.

Will you hug me?

Emily hugged him so tight that Oliver laughed out loud.

Gradually day by day he began to return. The real Oliver. The one who raced to his mum with his drawings. The one who fell asleep in her arms to the sound of her lullabies.

James watched Emily and Oliver playing together in the lounge and thought of his mother. She called a few times, but James never picked up.

Margaret was alone in her flat. No grandson, no son. All shed wanted was to protect James from the wrong sort of woman. In the end, shed lost them both.

Emily rested her head on James shoulder.

Thank you for putting things right.
Im sorry I didnt see it sooner.

Oliver bounded over and climbed onto James lap.

Dad, Mum lets go to the zoo tomorrow?

It turned out, life was finally getting back on track.

Lesson learned: If you dont fight for your family and let others plant doubt and bitterness, you could lose what matters most. Thats a mistake Ill never make again.

“We’re Staying Until Summer!”: How I Kicked Out My Husband’s Entitled Family, Changed the Locks, and Reclaimed My Own Home The intercom didn’t just ring—it screeched, desperate for attention. I glanced at the clock: 7 AM on a Saturday, my one chance to sleep in after slogging through the quarterly report—not exactly the best time for uninvited visitors. The screen lit up with my sister-in-law’s face. Svetlana—now just “Sue,” my husband’s sister—looked ready to storm the Tower of London, three wild-haired children crowding behind her. “Ian!” I bellowed, ignoring the receiver. “Your family’s here. You deal with them.” Ian stumbled out of our bedroom, fumbling his shorts on backwards. He knew by my tone there was no loyalty left in reserve for his relatives. While he mumbled into the intercom, I stood, arms folded, making it clear this was my flat—my rules. I’d bought and paid off this three-bed in Central London years before saying “I do,” and the last thing I wanted was a house full of freeloaders. The door flung open and in tumbled the whole circus. Sue, burdened with bags, didn’t even greet me—she just shoved past, as if I were a coat-stand. “Oh praise the Lord, we’ve made it!” she sighed, dumping her luggage on my expensive Italian tiled floor. “Alice, why are you blocking the way? Put the kettle on. The kids are starving after the journey.” “Sue,” I said coolly. Ian hunched his shoulders, knowing he’d meet the gallows later. “What’s going on?” “She didn’t tell you?” Sue went full ‘innocent victim’ mode. “Our place needs major work—pipes, new floors, the lot. Can’t live in all that dust. We’ll just crash here for a week. And you’ve got all this space we wouldn’t want to go unused.” I shot Ian a look. He studied the ceiling. Death row awaited. “Ian?” “It’s only for a week, Alice,” he bleated. “Where else can they go? Just a week.” “One week,” I declared. “Seven days, exactly. You buy your own food. The kids don’t run wild, no sticky fingers on the walls, no one comes near my office. And silence after ten.” Sue rolled her eyes, scoffing, “Oh, aren’t you the prison warden! Fine, deal. Where are we sleeping? Not on the floor, I hope?” That was the start of hell. “One week” turned into two. Then three. My pristine, designer-kissed flat became a wreck. The entryway was a mountain of filthy shoes. The kitchen—a disaster of greasy countertops, crumbs, and mysterious puddles. Sue acted like lady of the manor, treating me like one of her maids. “Alice, why’s the fridge empty?” she asked one evening, peering at the bare shelves. “Kids need yogurts. As for us, Ian would like a proper steak. You’re the high earner here. You could look after family.” “You’ve got a card and a phone. Use them,” I replied without looking up. “There’s 24-hour delivery.” “Stingy,” she muttered, slamming my fridge so hard the bottles clattered. “Can’t take it with you when you’re gone, remember.” But the final straw wasn’t even that. Coming home early one night, I found my nephews in my bedroom. The eldest was jumping on my orthopaedic mattress—pricey as a round-the-world ticket—and his sister was drawing on the wall. With my Tom Ford lipstick. Limited edition. “Out!” I roared, sending them scattering. Sue came running at the noise, took in the graffiti and broken lipstick, and just waved it off. “Oh, come on! They’re just kids! It’ll wash off. And your lipstick’s just a chunk of dyed fat, Alice—you’ll buy another. By the way, our builders are hopeless drunks. Looks like we’ll be staying till summer. It’s not like you two get lonely here—think of the fun!” Ian just stood there. Spineless. I said nothing. I walked to the bathroom, resisting the urge to become a tabloid headline. That night, Sue went for a shower, leaving her phone on the kitchen table. The screen lit up with a message I couldn’t help but read—in big bold letters: a transfer from “Marina Rentals” had landed. “Sue, I’ve sent next month’s rent. Tenants are thrilled—want to extend through August?” Followed by a bank notification: “+£800 received.” Everything clicked. There was no renovation. My husband’s dear sister had let out her own flat for a tidy profit, came to live in comfort and luxury at my expense, and was pocketing passive income on the side. I snapped a photo of her phone with mine. My hands were steady—calm, cold, clear. “Ian, come to the kitchen,” I called. He saw the photo, paled, and looked back at me. “Maybe it’s a mistake?” he said. “No, Ian—the mistake is you not throwing them out,” I said evenly. “You have a choice. By tomorrow lunchtime, either they’re all gone—or you move out with them. You, your mum, your sister, and the whole travelling show.” “But where—?” “I don’t care. Under Tower Bridge for all I mind.” Sue waltzed out bright and early, shopping bags in hand, leaving Ian with the kids. Once she was gone, I said, “Ian, take the kids out. To the park. All day.” “Why?” “Because this flat’s about to get a deep clean—from parasites.” Once they were gone, I called a locksmith and the police station. Hospitality was over. It was time for a purge. The locksmith—a bear of a man with a forearm tattoo—installed a monstrous lock. “Good door,” he said. “But this lock’s a beast. No way in without power tools.” “Exactly what I want,” I replied. I filled black rubbish bags—Sue’s bras, kid’s tights, toys. Tossed her cosmetics in without a thought. After forty minutes, five bulging sacks stood in the hallway, two battered suitcases by their side. When the police officer arrived, pen hovering, I greeted him with my ownership documents. “They’re relatives?” he asked. “Ex-relatives,” I said with a smirk. “Let’s just say the family drama’s reached its climax.” Sue finally arrived. Glowing, new shoes poking out of a designer bag—her face fell when she saw the pile and me beside the officer. “What’s this?” she shrieked. “Alice, have you gone mad? These are my things!” “Correct. Take them. The hotel is closed.” She tried to barge past, but the officer blocked her way. “Do you live here? Any paperwork?” “I’m his sister! We’re just staying—” She spun to me, cheeks blazing. “Where’s Ian? He’ll fix you!” “Go ahead—call him.” But he didn’t answer. For once, he’d grown a spine, or maybe just feared the divorce and asset split. “You’ve no right!” Sue shrieked, a shoebox tumbling from her shopping bag. “We’re having work done! We’ve nowhere to go! I’ve got kids!” “Liar,” I snapped. “Say hi to Marina. Ask her if your tenants will extend the lease, or whether you’ll have to turf them out.” Her mouth dropped. Air leaked from her like a punctured balloon. “How did you…?” “Should lock your phone, businesswoman. You lived for free. Ate my food. Wrecked my home while letting your place out to save for a car? Genius. But listen: Take your stuff and leave. If I see you, or your precious children, within a mile of my home, I’ll call HMRC. Unregistered subletting—tax fraud will interest them. Oh, and I’ll report you for theft—my gold ring’s gone missing. Guess where the police might find it?” The ring was in my safe, of course, but Sue looked set to collapse. “You’re vile, Alice,” she spat. “God will judge you.” “God’s busy,” I said, “but I have all day. And my home’s finally free.” She clutched her bags, dialing Ubers with trembling fingers as the police officer idly watched. When the lift doors hid her, I turned to him. “Thank you for your service.” “Best to stick with good locks,” he grinned. I turned, shut my door, and locked it with a satisfying click. The smell of bleach said the cleaners had been thorough. Ian came back alone, eyes wide, cautious. “Alice…she’s gone.” “I know.” “She said awful things about you—” “I don’t care what rats scream as the ship goes down.” I sat at my kitchen table, sipped espresso from my favourite cup. No more lipstick art on the walls. Fresh food in my fridge—just for me. “Did you know about the rental?” I asked without looking up. “No, honest. If I had—” “If you had, you’d have kept quiet,” I cut in. “Listen closely, Ian. This was your family’s last free ride. One more stunt, and your bags will join theirs. Got it?” He nodded, fast, terrified. He knew I wasn’t bluffing. I took another sip. It was perfect—hot, strong, and finally, blessedly, enjoyed in the total peace of my own home. No crown too heavy here—it fit just right.

Someone Else’s Bride Valery was in high demand. He never needed to advertise in newspapers or on TV – his name and phone number always spread “word of mouth”. Need an MC for a concert? No problem! Hosting an anniversary or wedding? Perfect! He’d even hosted a kindergarten graduation once, winning the hearts of both the children and their mums. It all began simply enough. A close friend was getting married, but their pre-booked host went on a bender and never showed up. With no time to find a replacement, Valery grabbed the mic. Back in school, he’d performed in drama club and joined the university’s comedy society – improv came naturally. He did a stellar job, and right there at the reception, two guests asked him to host their events. After university, Valery got a job at a local scientific institute, earning next to nothing. The money from his hosting gigs was a revelation – before long, he made ten times his day-job salary entertaining at events. Within a year, Valery left his nine-to-five, bought quality equipment, registered as self-employed, and officially made hosting his career. He even started singing lessons and soon became a singing host, moonlighting as a restaurant vocalist three nights a week. Now 30, Valery was good-looking, well-off, and known as a decent singer, DJ, and all-around outstanding host. He wasn’t married – why would he be? Girls threw themselves at him; any flirtation could turn into a fling. But gradually, as his friends married and had children, Valery started yearning for his own bit of domestic bliss. Only problem? Not one of the easy flings interested him long-term, and what he wanted was one love, for life. “You need to find a young girl, train her up, and marry her when she turns 18. Perfect wife!” he’d joke. He even began accepting jobs for school proms, in hopes of scouting a future partner. But modern girls never matched his idea – and so, as he put it, he kept “hunting for a rare specimen”. That was when fate decided to have a laugh with him. At first, nothing seemed unusual. A woman called, name-dropping acquaintances. “We need a wedding host. Are you available June 17th? Perfect! Can we meet?” They met. And for the first time, Valery understood the meaning of “the ground fell away”. The woman, introducing herself as Katherine, was stunning – and clearly clever; she spoke smartly, to the point, handling every detail. At a glance, Valery thought she might be 25, perhaps a little older. But in conversation she mentioned being in the Girl Guides, so she was at least 40. They agreed on the job and wrote up a contract, though Katherine objected, “There’s really no need – I trust you, you come highly recommended!” Valery insisted – he always worked with a contract, for his records as much as theirs. But he secretly admitted he just wanted concrete proof she was real. Her phone chimed – a text. “Ah, my fiancé is here. Need a ride?” Valery declined but walked her out, not out of habit but out of jealousy. He was expecting a mature man, maybe in his 40s. Instead, a lad several years his junior hopped out of the car: “Katherine, all OK?” She smiled serenely. After helping her in, he greeted Valery warmly, “You must be the host for our wedding! Pleased to meet you – I’m Rupert, the groom.” Valery wanted nothing more than to punch “Rupert, the groom” and wipe that happy grin off his face, but instead just shook his hand. “Valery, pleasure.” From that day, Valery was obsessed. Any excuse to call Katherine, to hear her voice, to see her. The wedding day drew close and he felt he was going mad. A friend, the only one he confided in, teased, “What about those girls you wanted to train up as the perfect wife?” Valery would just wave him off. “Sod schoolgirls – Katherine’s perfect, she’s all I want.” “So tell her how you feel,” his friend advised. But Valery snapped, “Don’t be stupid! She’s getting married. She must love him. What would she want with me and my hopeless feelings?” Sometimes Rupert would swing by with an errand from Katherine, and Valery seethed with envy, barely restraining himself. He even considered backing out of the gig. But then he’d never see Katherine again. And he always relented. Two days before the wedding, Katherine came to finalise the script – the office was being renovated, so they met at Valery’s flat. They talked, joked, laughed, nailed down the last details. Valery suggested a glass of champagne, “To a perfect wedding.” Katherine agreed, relaxed and beaming. Somewhere between laughter, Valery kissed her – and, unexpectedly, Katherine kissed back. He woke up the next morning, unsure if it was real… her perfume lingering on the pillow confirmed it wasn’t just a dream. But now what? Wasn’t the wedding going ahead? He called her. “Hi…” She greeted him cheerfully, “Hello! Sorry I left quietly, but there’s so much to do, you know, wedding tomorrow!” “So the wedding’s still on?” he said bleakly. “Of course! Why wouldn’t it be? Everything’s fine!” Were all women this heartless? Could she really look Rupert in the eye tomorrow? Valery was in torment. Sabotage the wedding? But did he even want someone so devious? He admitted to himself: yes, he did. Any version of her. On the big day he arrived early; the decorators eyed him flirtatiously. And then— Katherine appeared. “Hi. I ran out straight after the registry – just wanted to see you before things kicked off.” She grinned radiantly. Valery was confused: “So there was a registry? You ran out after?” “Of course, silly. Who wants to spend a day carousing with the youngsters when I could be here with you? Unless you mind.” Valery was baffled: “Wait, with youngsters? Aren’t you the bride?” Katherine stared at him in stunned silence, then burst out laughing – a pure, infectious laugh that made Valery smile despite himself. “Goodness, no! My daughter – she’s in university up in Edinburgh. She just flew in yesterday. Did you think I was the bride?” “And that, two days before the wedding, I’d sleep with someone else? You have a high opinion of me…” Finally, the penny dropped. Katherine never once implied she was the bride; she always said “the bride and groom”. Rupert never called her “Kathy”, always “Katherine”, always formally. How had he not seen it before? He finally asked the big question: “But you – are you free?” When she nodded, he blurted, “Marry me. Please.” The wedding was a triumph; the MC outdid himself and the guests were rapturous. The newlyweds came to thank him. “Thank you – we don’t know how to repay you for such a wonderful evening.” Katherine joined them. “I’ll thank him myself. Off you go, your limo’s waiting – I’ll watch over things here.” Word raced through Valery’s family: he was marrying a woman nine years older than himself. At first, relatives were wary; but then, after meeting Katherine, everyone agreed: “How could you not fall for her?” Katherine and her daughter gave birth just two weeks apart. Someone Else’s Bride

My Husband Suggested a Trial Separation to Test Our Feelings, So I Changed the Locks “You know, Helen, it feels like we’re strangers now. The daily grind has swallowed us up. I’ve been thinking… maybe we should live apart for a while.” Mark said it as casually as if suggesting we buy brown instead of white bread for dinner. He didn’t even look up from his bowl of soup, dunking a piece of bread absently. I froze mid-stir, feeling boiling broth trickle down my wrist—but barely noticed the burn. My ears rushed, like someone had suddenly turned on a vacuum at full blast. “What do you mean—apart?” I managed, forcing my voice to stay steady as I set the ladle into the pot, afraid it might slip from my suddenly weak fingers. “Are you going away for work?” “No, nothing like that,” Mark finally looked up, eyes tired and slightly annoyed, like a teacher explaining the obvious to a clueless pupil. “I mean a pause. A test of our feelings. You know, the spark is gone. I come home, and… it’s stifling. Always the same: work, dinner, telly, sleep. I want to see if I really miss you, or if this is just habit.” I slowly sat down opposite him. Twenty years of marriage. Two children—both at uni, living in other cities. A mortgage paid off three years ago. DIY home improvements, weekends spent ripping off old wallpaper together. And now—“stifling”? “So, where exactly are you going to stay during this… test?” I asked quietly. “I’ve rented a flat. Just a studio, for a couple of months, close to work—so I don’t get stuck in traffic,” he replied a touch too quickly, as if rehearsed. “I’ve started packing, the bags are in the bedroom.” So he’d planned it for ages. While I’d been thinking about rose bushes for the garden or picking out a jumper for him at the spring sales, he’d been flat-hunting. Signed a lease. Paid a deposit. Not a word. “Don’t I get a say?” I looked at him, searching for any hint of the young man I’d married. But sitting across from me was a stranger: heavier, fidgeting, eyes darting down. “Helen, don’t make a scene,” Mark set his spoon down, apparently finally losing his appetite. “I’m not asking for a divorce—yet. Just a time out. It’s normal, loads of people do it. Psychologists recommend it. Maybe we’ll realise we can’t live without each other and get a second honeymoon. Or, if not… at least we’ll know.” He stood up, tossed his napkin down and headed to the bedroom. I heard wardrobe doors opening, the rustling of shopping bags. I stayed in the kitchen, staring at his favourite soup—made just how he liked it—feeling a cold, vast emptiness swallowing up my insides. The rest of the evening passed in a fog. Mark bustled around, ferrying suitcases to the hall. He took his laptop, the coffee maker I’d gotten from my colleagues (which he nearly monopolised), his warm jumpers. “Well, I’m off,” he said at the door, looking a mix of smug and faintly guilty. “Don’t ring me. Let’s do a month of no contact—for the experiment, you know, keep it pure.” “What if there’s a plumbing disaster?” I blurted. “Get a plumber. You’re a grown woman, you’ll cope. I’ll keep my set of keys just in case I urgently need to grab something. Right, that’s all. Bye. Don’t pine for me.” The door slammed. The lock clicked. I was left in a flat that suddenly seemed cavernous and eerily silent. For three days, I barely moved—just enough to drink water or use the loo. Life, I thought, was over. I replayed the past months, searching for where I’d gone wrong. Too much nagging about the socks? Had I put on weight? Was I boring? On the fourth day, my sister Kate crashed in like a tornado, arms full of groceries and wine. Seeing my puffy, bathrobe-clad, unwashed self, she just shook her head. “Right, enough of this. Shower. Now,” she commanded. An hour later, sipping wine in the kitchen, I told her everything. She listened and narrowed her eyes. “Hm, ‘testing his feelings’? He’s ‘stifled’?” Kate scoffed. “Helen, you’re the cleverest person I know—add numbers in your head all day, but you can’t add this up? He’s got another woman.” “Oh come off it,” I waved her off. “Who’d want him? He’s fifty-two, got a dodgy back and constant indigestion!” “Oh please. Love isn’t put off by a few aches—and at fifty, loads of blokes get second-wind mischief. ‘Studio flat’? ‘No phone calls for a month’? That’s classic. He wants to shack up with her—but keep his options open in case she doesn’t cook or do laundry. You’re his safety net in case new girlfriend doesn’t work out. If it does—he’ll divorce you.” Her words hit me like stones. I tried to argue, to defend Mark, but I knew Kate was right. The new phone password a month ago. The overtime at work. The new shirt he bought himself, when he hated shopping. “So what do I do?” I muttered, feeling anger throb where tears had been. “What do you do? Live! Get your hair done. Go shopping. And stop waiting by the phone. Whose name is on the deeds?” “Mine. Mum’s old flat—I inherited it. He never bothered sorting paperwork, he’s registered at his mum’s.” “Well then! You’ve got the legal high ground. Don’t mope. Surprise him.” When she left, I couldn’t sleep. I drifted through the flat, lights blazing. In the bathroom, I spotted his forgotten shaving foam, picked it up, and chucked it in the bin. The thud sounded like the first shot in a new war. The next fortnight passed strangely. I forced myself back to work—colleagues assumed my weight loss was spring blues. I started noticing things I’d missed before. The flat was tidier—no bread crumbs, no jeans on chairs. The fridge stayed stocked; I didn’t need to cook every night—a salad sufficed. My evenings were my own again. I remembered loving knitting, found my old needles and started making a scarf, TV on in the background. Silence wasn’t scary anymore. It was soothing. No droning about politics, no channel-switching during films. But still, a doubt gnawed—what if Kate was wrong? What if Mark was really missing me? Friday night solved it. On my way to grab more wool, I spotted them. Mark, standing outside a jeweller’s. A young woman—no more than thirty, bold coat—hooked on his arm. Mark was smiling at her—his old smile, the smile I’d fallen for twenty years ago. He pointed out a bracelet; she laughed, tossing her head. They looked utterly happy. I backed out of sight, heart pounding in my ears, as I watched my “sparkless,” “needing space” husband cuddle another woman and lead her away. Something snapped inside. But instead of fire, just cool, calm determination. No scene, no confrontation. I went home. There, I found the title deeds: my name, mum’s gift contract, my and the kids’ names in the passport. Mark wasn’t listed. I googled a locksmith. “I need my locks changed—urgent. Yes, paperwork is in order. How soon? An hour? Perfect.” A burly locksmith arrived—a pro, no questions. “Best quality, please,” I said. “Something he definitely can’t open with the old keys.” He grinned. “We’ll fit a British Standard 5-lever mortice. Not even your husband with a duplicate key will get through that.” The drill’s roar was music. As the old lock clattered to the mat, it felt like the old pain was tumbling out too. When he left, handing me shiny new keys, I locked up—four turns. Click-click-click-click. Four walls to my fortress. I bagged up Mark’s leftover things—coats, shoes, fishing gear, tools—into five black bin sacks. Left them by the shared hallway door. Another week passed. No word. Clearly, the “test” with his new muse was dragging on. I was fine. Applied for divorce online—it was surprisingly simple. The doorbell rang early Saturday. I looked through the peephole—Mark, a little dishevelled, but confident, clutching groceries and carnations. I didn’t open. I leaned my forehead against the door, waiting. He tried the old key. Metal scraped. He huffed, tried again. No luck. “Helen! Are you in there? What’s up with the lock?” I stayed silent. “Helen, open up! Your car’s outside! Don’t mess about—we agreed one month but I came early! I missed you!” I drew a breath and called out steadily, “Your things are in the black bags to the left. Take them and go.” Silence. Then the sound of shuffling—he’d seen the bags. “Are you mad?” his voice rose, shrill. “Open the door! I’m your husband! I have a right!” “This isn’t your home, Mark,” I said, calm. “It’s mine. You wanted to live separately? Be my guest—live separately. For good.” “You…you changed the locks?” It finally sank in. “How dare you? I’ll call the police! They’ll break down this door!” “Go ahead,” I said. “Show them your passport. And tell them how you left for a ‘test’—with your girlfriend. The local bobby will have a good chuckle.” “What girlfriend? You’re imagining things! I lived alone!” “I saw you. At the shopping centre. Jeweller’s, red coat. Stop lying. Experiment’s over. Results: failure.” Swearing erupted outside. He kicked the door. “You’ll regret this! No one will want you in your forties—you’ll be left all alone, daft cow! I came back to you out of pity! But you… I’ll take you to the cleaners! Half the car, half the holiday place!” “We’ll split the house and car in court, as the law says,” I answered. “But this flat? It’s not yours. Go away, Mark. Or I’ll call the police—a strange, aggressive man is trying to force entry.” He ranted for a bit, banged the bags. I heard the bouquet hit the floor. Then he gathered his stuff, obviously wondering how to carry it all at once. “Cow!” he shrieked before stomping off. I slumped to the floor, legs shaking, tears streaming down—but not for grief. Just the tension, sluicing out salty and hot. Ten minutes. Then I washed my face in cold water. In the mirror, a tired, older woman stared back—head held high. Text: From Kate—“So, how’s Casanova? I saw his car outside.” Me: “Gone. With his stuff. Locks work perfectly.” Kate: “Brilliant! So proud of you! Be round with cake later—new beginnings!” I went to the kitchen, put the kettle on. I could see the carnations outside—he never remembered, I loathe carnations, always preferred tulips. A month later, the divorce went through—quick, since our kids are adults. The house was sold, proceeds divided; Mark took the car, paid me my half (which funded a lovely solo holiday). Turned out his “muse” dumped him as soon as he lost the cushy flat and his prospects dimmed. He couldn’t afford the studio, ended up at his mum’s little council flat. I heard it from mutual friends. Didn’t care. I’d just got back from Turkey—first solo trip in years, bronzed, in a bright new dress, possibly even started a holiday romance with a charming German. Nothing serious—just enough to remind me I was still desirable. One evening, outside my block, Mark called out: “Helen?” He looked thinner, beaten down, in a creased old jacket. “Hi,” I said, not stopping, but slowing down. “Look, Helen… can we talk? I was a fool. It was a mistake. I miss our place. Your soup. Can we try again? You can’t just throw away twenty years…” I studied his face, surprised to feel—nothing. No anger, no pain, just emptiness, as if a stranger was begging for loose change. “Twenty years can’t be erased,” I replied. “But the past should stay in the past. I have a new life, Mark. There’s no room for old mistakes—or for you.” “But I’ve changed! I know now!” “So have I,” I smiled. “I know it’s not stifling alone. It’s freeing.” I took out my set of shiny new keys and stepped inside. The intercom buzzed, the door shut behind me—leaving Mark and his regrets at the threshold. As the lift carried me up, I thought—I should redo the hallway, maybe peach wallpaper this time. And buy a new armchair, perfect for knitting. My life was only just beginning, and the keys to it—all mine. Like the story? Subscribe and hit like for more real-life tales. Let me know in the comments—did Helen do the right thing?