Thats your motherso thats your responsibility! he snapped, but shed had enough.
Emily buttoned up her sons coat, clenching her teeth to keep her rising irritation 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 Wilson had long decided Emily wasnt the right wife for her son. No matter what she did, there was always criticism, always some complaint, always some grievance.
Emily, what now? sighed James, watching her stormy expression. You dont want to go, do you?
She scoffed and shook her head.
Are you seriously asking me that? Honestly, James! 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, like she always does! And it doesnt even matter to her that I work, that I run the entire household, cook, clean, and pay all the bills! Im the one supporting this family, James!
But you just sit at home all day he muttered, shrugging.
Emily narrowed her eyes.
Really? You think I just stare at the walls? Or do you think the money magically appears in our account?
I work too, he grumbled, sounding wounded. Its not my fault I earn less.
The truth was, Emily, as a designer, earned three times what he did. She carried the full 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 SophieJamess niece. Emily had long noticed how Margaret treated her like a princess, while barely acknowledging her own grandson. But it wasnt surprisingSophies parents had died five years earlier, and Margaret had taken her in.
Margarets sisters sat around, sipping tea and laughing loudly.
Then came the words that changed everything.
Ive made my decision, Margaret announced. Im leaving my flat to Sophie. James, you already have your own home.
James didnt even react. He just nodded.
A few days later, the papers were signed. The flat officially belonged to Sophieon the condition she wouldnt move in until after Margarets death.
But fate had other plans.
A stroke left Margaret completely helpless.
We have to move in with her, James declared. She cant manage alone.
Emilys stomach tightened. She knew what this meant.
She would be the one feeding, bathing, and caring for herall while working and raising their child.
But she said nothing.
Weeks passed, and Emily had no respite.
Then, one evening, she snapped.
James, your mothers flat belongs to Sophie. Maybe she should take care of her?
Sophies at university, Emily. And she has a boyfriend. She cant just move him in!
Emily laughed bitterly, shaking her head in disbelief.
James, I cant keep doing this!
He crossed his arms.
Oh? So youve had enough?
Her hands trembled.
Im suffocating! You, your mother, our child, my job ITS TOO MUCH!
But you work from home he said with a mocking smile.
Her gaze turned icy.
And? Do you think thats not real work?!
Her heart pounded wildly.
You know what? Now its YOUR turn to take care of your mother!
Shes my mother, but your mother-in-law! Thats your duty! Do you expect me to wash her?!
Silence.
Then Emily spoke, calm but cold:
I owe you nothing.
James scoffed.
Then hire a carer!
Oh, really? Will you pay for it?
Why should I pay?!
Then there wont be a carer.
She crossed her arms.
You can pay for it from your mothers pension. Or from your wages?
Jamess face twisted in anger.
Then whats the point of having a wife?!
And that was the moment.
Something inside Emily shattered.
Everything became clear.
James had been using her all these years.
And Sophie? She hadnt visited her grandmother once.
That night, Emily didnt sleep.
By morning, she knew what she had to do.
When James left for work, she packed her bags, took her son, and walked out.
She left a single message before blocking his number:
I wont carry this burden alone anymore.
That evening, James stormed over, furious.
Come back, or Ill file for divorce!
Emily smiled faintly.
Go ahead. I was planning to do the same.
For the first time, James was speechless.
But she wasnt waiting for an apology. The decision was already made.
A month later, they were divorced.
James never admitted he was wrong.
And Emily?
She didnt regret a single second.
Six months later
Emily heard the news.
Margaret had died.
And Sophie?
Without hesitation, she threw James out on the street.
And only then did he understand.
Hed lost everything.
