**The Key to Doubt**
When Emily was about to marry, her friends took turns telling horror stories about mothers-in-law. Each had a terrifying example—one with loans, another with schemes, a third with outright hatred. In their tales, husbands’ mothers were real monsters, tearing young families apart.
Emily listened, nodded, and without realising, she had begun to genuinely fear her future mother-in-law. So when things with William got serious, she cautiously started asking about his mother.
“Do you visit her often? Does she influence your decisions? Does she help financially?”
William just laughed. “What’s with the interrogation? Mum’s an ordinary woman. I’m grateful to her—of course she raised me—but she doesn’t meddle in our lives.”
His words eased Emily’s mind slightly, but the seeds of doubt had already taken root. When William finally introduced her to Margaret Holloway, Emily braced herself. But Margaret turned out to be warm, gentle, and sincerely happy for her son, showering Emily with compliments.
“You’re absolutely lovely! You and William will have beautiful children! Oh, how I long for grandchildren…”
Things seemed fine. Margaret didn’t intrude, didn’t call daily, never dropped by unannounced. Occasionally, she asked William for help—her husband had passed years ago, and she struggled alone. Emily remained neutral—neither close nor cold. Until one conversation with her friends.
“Don’t be naive,” scoffed Olivia, rolling her eyes. “They all play sweet at first, then the claws come out. Mine did the same, now she turns up her nose because I’m ‘not their sort.’ Don’t trust her!”
“Exactly,” agreed Sophia, who’d survived a bitter divorce. “Mine swore she adored me. Then she dragged us into a loan, took the money, and now we’re stuck paying it off. A mother-in-law is like a ticking time bomb.”
Emily tried to protest. “But Margaret isn’t like that. She’s kind, well-mannered—”
“‘Seems like’—that’s the problem,” Olivia smirked. “Just wait. She’ll show her true colours.”
Soon, doubt found its way in. One evening, William sat beside Emily.
“Darling, Mum’s asked for a loan. She wants to buy a cottage. Would you mind if we lent her our savings? We’re not ready for a mortgage yet…”
Emily tensed. “That’s a lot. Will she really pay it back?”
“Of course. She says Dad left some shares—she’ll sell them and return every penny.”
“Hmm…” The warnings rang in Emily’s ears. “I don’t like this. Why does she need a cottage now?”
But William insisted. He trusted his mother. In the end, she relented.
When Emily told her friends, they put on a show.
“Here we go! Say goodbye to your savings—and your flat. You’re too trusting!”
Weeks passed. Emily’s unease grew. What if they were right? What if Margaret never intended to repay them? The thought gnawed at her.
One evening, when Margaret visited, Emily decided to confront her. She stepped into the kitchen, where William and his mother sat whispering, and without hiding her nerves, said, “We need to talk.”
Margaret turned with a smile. “Funny, we wanted to speak to you too, dear.”
Emily sat. Her heart pounded. What had they been discussing before she entered? What were they hiding?
Margaret slid a small box across the table. “This is for you. I promised a wedding gift, but I couldn’t then. Now—it’s time.”
William nodded. “Go on, love.”
Emily lifted the lid… and saw a set of keys.
“What…?”
“Keys to your flat,” William said softly.
“You took out a loan?!”
“No,” he grinned. “Mum bought it for us.”
“What…?” Emily stared at Margaret.
“Yes, love,” Margaret said. “When my husband died, I sold his shares and invested the money. The interest grew. I wanted to give you both a home. The cottage story was just a cover so you wouldn’t guess. Your savings helped—we were just short.”
“So… this is real?” Emily was stunned.
“Very. That flat you and William dreamed of—it’s yours now,” Margaret said gently. “It’s all settled. Both your names are on the deed.”
Tears welled in Emily’s eyes. All the doubts, the fear—gone in an instant.
“Thank you! Thank you!” She flung her arms around Margaret. “We’ll never forget this!”
Margaret just smiled. “Live happily. And remember—I love you both.”
When Emily told her friends, they fell silent. Then, of course, came the snide remarks.
“Are you sure it’s in your name? Not hers? What if she changes her mind—?”
“Yes,” Emily said firmly. “I’m sure. In the flat—and in her.”
Her friends clung to their bitterness. But Emily had learned something: not all mothers-in-law are the same. Sometimes, behind suspicion, there’s kindness. The trick is not to judge too soon. And never listen to those who only see the worst in people.
