Shes your motherso shes your responsibility! he snapped, but shed had enough.
Emily fastened her sons coat, clenching her teeth to keep her rising frustration in check. Ahead of her was yet another obligatory visit to her mother-in-lawa woman shed never gotten along with. From the very beginning, their relationship had been strained.
Margaret Wilkes had decided long ago that Emily wasnt the right wife for her son. No matter what Emily did, there was always criticism, always some complaint or another.
Emily, what now? sighed Peter, watching her irritated expression. You dont want to go, do you?
Emily scoffed and shook her head.
Are you seriously asking me that? Really, Peter?! You know exactly why I dont want to go!
Her eyes burned with anger.
Shell lecture me again, pick at everything, invent problems where there arent any! Shell say Im raising our child wrong! And she couldnt care less that I work, that I run the entire household, cook, clean, and pay all the bills! *Im* the one supporting this family, Peter!
But youre at home all day Peter muttered, shrugging.
Emily narrowed her eyes.
Oh, really? You think I just sit and stare at the walls? Do the pounds magically appear in our account?!
I work too, he grumbled, sounding offended. Its not my fault I earn less.
The truth was, Emily, as a graphic designer, earned three times more than he did. She carried the entire financial burden.
Maybe you could go alone? she asked hopefully.
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, was CharlottePeters niece. Emily had long noticed how Margaret treated her like royalty, while barely acknowledging her own grandson. But it wasnt surprisingCharlottes parents had died five years ago, and Margaret had taken her in.
Around them sat Margarets sisters, sipping tea and laughing loudly.
Then, suddenly, the words that changed everything were spoken.
Ive made a decision, Margaret announced. Im leaving the flat to Charlotte. Peter, you already have your house.
Peter didnt react. He just nodded.
A few days later, all the paperwork was done. The flat officially belonged to Charlotteon the condition she wouldnt move in until after her grandmothers death.
But fate had other plans.
A stroke left Margaret completely helpless.
We have to move in with her, Peter declared. She cant manage alone.
Emilys stomach twisted. She knew exactly what that meant.
*She* would be the one feeding her, changing her, bathing her all while still working and raising their child.
But she said nothing.
Weeks passed, and Emily had no respite.
Then, one evening, she finally snapped.
Peter, your mothers flat belongs to Charlotte. Maybe *she* should take care of her?
Charlottes at university, Emily. And she has a boyfriend. She cant exactly move him in here!
Emily laugheddry, bitter, disbelieving.
Peter, 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 job ITS TOO MUCH!
But you work from home he replied with a mocking smile.
Her gaze turned icy.
And what does that mean? You think thats not a real job?!
Her heart pounded wildly.
You know what? *You* can take care of your mother now!
Shes my mother, but your mother-in-law! Its your duty! Do you expect *me* to wash her?!
Silence.
Then Emily spoke, calm but freezing.
I owe you nothing.
Peter scoffed.
Then hire a carer!
Oh, really? *You* pay for it!
Why should *I* pay?!
Then there wont be a carer.
She folded her arms.
You can pay for it with your mothers pension. Or your wages?
Peters face darkened with anger.
Then whats the point of having a wife?!
And that was the moment.
Something in Emily shattered for good.
Everything became clear.
Peter had been using her all these years.
And Charlotte? She hadnt visited her grandmother once.
That night, Emily didnt sleep a wink.
By morning, she knew what she had to do.
When Peter left for work, she packed their bags, took their son, and walked out.
She left one message, then blocked his number:
*I wont carry this weight alone anymore.*
That evening, Peter turned up at her place, furious.
Come back or Ill file for divorce!
Emily smiled faintly.
File the papers. I was going to do it anyway.
For the first time, Peter was speechless.
But she wasnt waiting for an apology. The decision was already made.
A month later, they were divorced.
Peter never admitted he was wrong.
And Emily?
She didnt regret a single second.
Six months later
Emily heard the news.
Margaret had died.
And Charlotte?
Without a second thought, she threw Peter out.
Only then did he understand.
Hed lost everything.
