When William and I got married fifteen years ago, my mother-in-law made it clear from the very beginning that she and I would never be friends. Wed tied the knot, but for ten long years, William and I struggled to have children. We waited and waitedand at last, by what felt like a miracle, we welcomed a son and a daughter.
During those years together, William did well for himself. He was the managing director of a large firm, which allowed me to take plenty of time off work to care for our children during maternity leave. It suited me perfectly.
My own mother lived miles away and couldnt help out, and my mother-in-law never altered her feelings towards me in all those fifteen years. In her eyes, I was a nobody, a country girl who had snatched away her son. Shed wanted someone “more suitable” for him. But William had chosen me.
My world fell apart in an instant.
One afternoon, coming home from a walk with the children, I spotted a slip of paper on the bedside table. As I walked through the house, I realised Williams belongings were gone. Hed left me, and on that scrap, hed scrawled, Im sorry, but Ive fallen for someone else. Please dont look for me, I know youre strong and youll manage… Trust me, its for the best.
I rang my husband straight away, but only silence answered. He never picked up again. William simply vanished from our lives, leaving me and the children to fend for ourselves. I had no idea where he was or who he was with. In desperation, I phoned my mother-in-law.
Its all your fault, she declared triumphantly. I told you all along it would end in disaster. What did you expect?
I was utterly bewilderedwhat had I done wrong? How was it my fault? Accepting it was impossible, and even harder was imagining how wed get by. William had left without so much as a penny, so I had almost no means to provide for us.
I couldnt work yet eitherthere was no one to look after the children. Then I remembered Id once had a decent part-time job writing reports and essays. It was just enough to keep us afloat for another six months. Throughout this time, I never heard from William again.
***
One chilly autumn evening, a knock came at the door. I assumed it would be a neighbour calling, but when I opened it, it was my mother-in-law on the step. She burst into tears at once, and I invited her inside.
Turns out, Williams new flame was a con-artist whod swindled him, leaving his new family practically penniless. Now theyre struggling to get by. My mother-in-law begged me to let her stay with us. And now Im torn: should I forgive her, or treat her the same way she and William treated meby shutting her out of my life for good?
