Shes your motherso shes your responsibility! His voice was sharp, but shed had enough.
Emily fastened her sons coat, clenching her jaw to keep the simmering frustration at bay. Another obligatory 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 good enough for her son. No matter what she did, there was always criticism, always some fault to be found.
Emily, what now? Daniel sighed, watching the irritation flicker across her face. You dont want to go, do you?
She scoffed, shaking her head.
Are you seriously asking me that? Really, Daniel? You know exactly why I dont want to go!
Her eyes burned with anger.
Shell lecture me again, pick me apart, invent problems where there arent any! Shell tell me Im raising our child wronglike she has any idea what its like to work, run the house, cook, clean, and pay every bill! *Im* the one keeping this family afloat, Daniel!
But youre home all day he muttered, shrugging.
Emily narrowed her eyes.
Is that what you think? That I just sit around staring at the walls? Or do you think the money magically appears in our account?
I work too, he shot back, stung. Its not my fault I earn less.
But the truth was, Emily, as a graphic designer, earned three times what he did. She carried the financial weight of their lives on her shoulders.
Maybe you could go alone? she asked, hope brittle in her voice.
What, on 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 always, sat CharlotteDaniels cousin. Emily had long noticed how Margaret treated her like a princess while barely acknowledging her own grandson. But it wasnt surprisingCharlottes parents had died years ago, and Margaret had taken her in.
Around them, Margarets sisters sipped tea, laughing too loudly.
Then came the words that changed everything.
Ive made a decision, Margaret announced. Im leaving the flat to Charlotte. Daniel, you already have your home.
Daniel didnt even react. Just nodded.
A few days later, the papers were signed. The flat belonged to Charlotteon the condition she wouldnt move in until after Margarets death.
But fate had other plans.
A stroke left Margaret helpless.
We have to move in with her, Daniel declared. She cant manage alone.
Emilys stomach twisted. She knew what this meant.
*She* would feed her, bathe her, change herall while working and raising their son.
But she said nothing.
Weeks passed without respite.
Then, one evening, she snapped.
Daniel, your mothers flat belongs to Charlotte. Maybe *she* should take care of her?
Charlottes at uni, Emily. And shes got a boyfriend. She cant just move him in here!
Emily laugheddry, bitter, disbelieving.
Daniel, I cant do this anymore.
He crossed his arms. Oh, so youre done?
Her hands trembled.
Im *drowning* in all of this! You, your mother, our child, my jobits *too much!*
But you work from home he said, smirking.
Her gaze turned to ice.
And? You think that isnt *real* work?
Her heart pounded wildly.
You know what? *You* can take care of your mother now.
Shes my mother, but shes *your* family too! Thats your duty! Or should I bathe her myself?
Silence.
Then Emily spoke, calm but freezing.
I dont owe you anything.
Daniel snorted. Then hire a carer!
Oh? And whos paying for that?
Why should *I* pay?
Then there wont be a carer.
She folded her arms.
You can use your mothers pension. Or your salary?
Daniels face darkened with anger.
Then whats the point of having a wife?
That was the moment.
Something inside Emily shattered for good.
Everything became clear.
Daniel had been using her all these years.
And Charlotte? 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 bags, took their son, and walked out.
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.
File the papers. I was going to anyway.
For the first time, Daniel had nothing to say.
But she didnt wait for apologies. The decision was made.
A month later, the divorce was final.
Daniel never admitted he was wrong.
And Emily?
Didnt regret a single second.
Six months later
The news came.
Margaret had passed away.
And Charlotte?
Without hesitation, she threw Daniel out.
Only then did he understand.
Hed lost everything.
