She Was Quick to Scold Me in Front of All the Neighbours—My Mother-in-Law’s Garden Drama Left Me Furious and Packing My Bags —“What do you think you’re doing?” hollered my mother-in-law, standing amid the flowerbeds. “This is an absolute disgrace! I raised seven children and never had a single weed!” The neighbours rushed to their fences, eager to listen and gossip. Taking advantage of her audience, my mother-in-law voiced her complaints at full volume while I stood there speechless. At last, exhausted by her own tirade, she took a deep breath and declared, loud enough for everyone on the street to hear: I said nothing. I walked past her, holding my little one tightly. Back inside, I packed all the things she’d need into a box, as well as my son’s and my own. Without a word, I left. Three days later, she called: “What did you do with all the stuff the doctor prescribed? I asked our neighbour to buy some, but she said one jar is awfully expensive. And the rest is in a foreign language, so she won’t touch it. So what do I do now? You just up and left, took offence for no reason, and now I’m left here to die?” I didn’t answer. I turned off my phone and removed the SIM card. That was it. I was done—physically and emotionally drained. A year ago, just before my son was born, my husband died in a car crash on an icy road. Memories of his funeral and the ambulance fade in and out, but I remember waking up the next morning as a new mother, numb and despondent. Life felt pointless without my beloved husband. I fed and rocked my son because that’s what I was told to do, but nothing brought joy. Then the phone rang. “Your mother-in-law isn’t well. They say she won’t survive long without her son.” My decision was instant. I sold my flat in London, invested part of the proceeds in building a new home for my son’s future, and went to care for my mother-in-law. This year, I merely existed. There was no time for sleep, between my grieving mother-in-law and restless baby, both needing my round-the-clock care. Thank goodness I had money. I brought in leading specialists from across the country to treat her, bought every medicine prescribed, and nursed her back to health. At first, I wheeled her round the house, then the garden. Soon, she was strong enough to walk unaided—at which point… I knew I never wanted to see or hear from her again. Let her find everything she needs for her health on her own now. At least I managed to keep some of my savings. My son and I moved into our new flat. This isn’t the life I expected. I thought living with my late husband’s mother would fill the void, as I am an orphan. But now I know—sometimes, the only lesson for my son is this: not everyone deserves your kindness. Some people care more about a weed-free garden than they do about you.

I managed to get my mother-in-law back on her feet. But honestly, Im furious, all because I didnt clear out the flowerbeds.

What on earth are you doing? she shrieked, standing right in the middle of the lilies. Ive never seen such a disgrace in all my life. And dont think you can hide behind your childI raised seven and never had a single weed!

Her shouting brought the neighbours out in droves. They lined up along the fence like nosy crows, whispering and chatting about everything theyd just overheard. My mother-in-law, seeing she had the whole neighbourhood watching, decided to really turn up the drama. Goodness knows what else she blurted, and honestly, I just stood there speechless. Finally, she took a huge, theatrical gasp and practically announced it for the whole street to hear.

I didnt say a word back.

I just walked past her, holding my son a little tighter. Once I got inside, I packed up everything my mother-in-law would need for the next day and evening into her special box, then chucked mine and my son’s things into a bag. Didnt say a word to her. We walked out just like that.

Three days later, she rang me up:

What have you done with all those bits the doctor put together for me? I asked the neighbour to get some, but she said one jar cost a fortune! The ones with labels in a different language, well, no one will even touch them or swap them for something else. So what am I supposed to do? Youve stormed off for no reason, and here I am, ready to meet my maker!

I didnt answer. I switched off my phone and took out the SIM card. That was it. I was done. I honestly didnt have the strengthphysically or emotionallyto deal with it anymore.

It all began a year ago. I was about to have my son when my husband lost control of the car on an icy road. Everythings a blurI remember seeing him off for the very last time, an ambulance taking him away, and then the next morning I became a mum… I didnt want anything at all. Without my wonderful husband, the world felt pointless. I fed my baby, rocked him to sleep because everyone told me thats what I should do, but I hardly felt alive.

Then the phone rang.

Your mother-in-law isnt well at all. They say shes unlikely to last without her son.

My mind was made up in an instant. After sorting out the paperwork, I sold our London flat straight away. I put some of the money into building us a new place so that my son would have a home when he grows up. And I went to care for my mother-in-law.

This past year, I havent really livedIve just existed.

There was no time for sleep; I was looking after both my little one and my mother-in-law. My son was always restless, and my mother-in-law needed constant care around the clock.

Thank goodness I had money. I paid for the countrys top private doctors to come and see her at home. I bought every medicine they prescribed, whatever the cost, and at last, she started to get better. First, Id wheel her around the lounge, then out into the garden. Bit by bit, she got strong enough to walk, until, eventually, she was up and about on her own… and thats when everything turned sour.

I dont want to see or hear from her ever again. She can sort everything out herself from now onits up to her how she looks after her health. At least I was clever enough not to blow all my savings on her. My son and I have moved into our new place. To be honest, I never pictured it ending up like this.

I always dreamed of having a close bond with my late husbands motherIve been on my own most of my life. But now, here I am. I just have to make sure my son understands: you cant give the best of yourself to everyone. Some people care more about a tidy flowerbed than anything else.