Shes your motherso shes your responsibility! he snapped, but shed had enough.
Emily fastened her sons coat, gritting her teeth to keep the simmering frustration at bay. Another forced visit to her mother-in-law loomed aheada woman shed never gotten along with. From the very beginning, their relationship had been strained.
Margaret Harrington had long decided Emily wasnt the right wife for her son. No matter what she did, there was always criticism, always some fault to be found.
Emily, what now? sighed Daniel, watching her tense expression. You dont want to go, do you?
Emily scoffed and shook her head.
Are you seriously asking me that? Honestly, Daniel! You know exactly why I dont want to go!
Her eyes burned with anger.
Shell lecture me again, nitpick, invent problems where there arent any! Shell say Im raising our child all wrong, like she always does! And it doesnt matter to her that I work, that I run the house, cook, clean, and pay all the bills! Im the one keeping this family afloat, Daniel!
But youre at home all day he muttered with a shrug.
Emily narrowed her eyes.
Really? You think I just sit around staring at the walls? Or do you think the money magically appears in the account?
I work too, he grumbled, defensive. Its not my fault I earn less.
The truth was, Emily, a graphic designer, earned three times what he did. She carried the financial weight of the household alone.
Maybe you could go by yourself? she asked, hopeful.
Emily, its Mothers Day! You cant just ignore her!
She pressed her lips together and finished dressing their son. Two hours later, they were at Margarets house.
In the living room, as usual, sat ClaireDaniels niece. Emily had long noticed how Margaret treated her like royalty, while barely acknowledging her own grandson. But it wasnt surprisingClaires parents had died five years ago, and Margaret had taken her in.
Around them, Margarets sisters sipped tea and laughed loudly.
Then came the words that changed everything.
Ive made my decision, Margaret announced. Im leaving the flat to Claire. Daniel, you already have your own home.
Daniel didnt react. Just nodded.
A few days later, the paperwork was done. The flat belonged to Claireon the condition shed only move in after Margarets death.
But fate had other plans.
A stroke left Margaret helpless, unable to care for herself.
We have to move in with her, Daniel declared. She cant manage alone.
Emilys stomach twisted. She knew what that meant.
Shed be the one feeding her, bathing her, changing herall while working and raising their child.
But she said nothing.
Weeks passed, and Emily had no respite.
Until one evening, she finally snapped.
Daniel, your mothers flat belongs to Claire. Maybe she should take care of her?
Claires at university, Emily. And she has a boyfriend. She cant just bring him here!
Emily laugheddry, bitter, disbelieving.
Daniel, I cant do this anymore!
He crossed his arms.
Oh. So youve had enough?
Her hands trembled.
Im drowning in all of this! You, your mother, our child, my jobits too much!
But you work from home he sneered.
Her gaze turned icy.
And what? You think thats not real work?
Her heart pounded wildly.
You know what? Now *you* can look after your mother!
Shes my mother, but your mother-in-law! Its your duty! You want me to bathe her?!
Silence.
Then Emily spoke, calm but cold:
I owe you nothing.
Daniel snorted.
Then hire a carer!
Oh, really? Are *you* going to pay for it?
Why should *I* pay?!
Then there wont be a carer.
She folded her arms.
You can pay from your mothers pension. Or your wages?
Daniels face darkened with anger.
Then whats the point of having a wife?!
And that was it.
Something inside Emily shattered, irreparably.
Everything became clear.
Daniel had been using her all these years.
And Claire? She hadnt visited her grandmother once.
That night, Emily didnt sleep.
By morning, she knew what she had to do.
When Daniel left for work, she packed their suitcases, took their son, and left.
She left one message before blocking his number:
I wont carry this weight alone anymore.
That evening, Daniel stormed in, furious.
Come back, or Ill file for divorce!
Emily smiled faintly.
Go ahead. I was going to do it myself.
For the first time, Daniel was speechless.
But she wasnt waiting for apologies. The decision was made.
A month later, they were divorced.
Daniel never admitted he was wrong.
And Emily?
She didnt regret a single second.
Six months later
Emily heard the news.
Margaret had died.
And Claire?
Without hesitation, she threw Daniel out.
Only then did he understand.
Hed lost everything.
