He is tearing us apart from within: I fear my husband’s uncle will be the ruin of our family.
My husband, Edward Whitmore, had always listened to his uncle, Charles Bramwell. He respected him, looked up to him, trusted him in all matters. But from the very start, I could never understand what there was to admire in that man. Harsh, quick-tempered, forever at odds with everyone—neighbours, colleagues, even family. At his old job, they only tolerated him because of his years of service, though he’d already managed to fall out with half the staff.
Everything changed when Charles took Edward into his crew. No one stayed with him long—most left within six months. He nitpicked, rushed them, shifted blame. But Edward was gentle, not one for conflict. He endured, silently redoing work, smoothing over his uncle’s outbursts. Sometimes he snapped, yes, but they always made up. Edward even liked the work, though I bristled at the unfairness of their profits—half to Charles, half to him.
After our wedding, I realised Edward couldn’t handle drink. It turned him into a different man—aggressive, unpredictable. I’d hoped Charles might step in, guide him. After all, Edward respected him. But things only got worse. Instead of helping, he poured oil on the fire. They started visiting the pub together, drinking heavily. Edward would come home in a state. When I tried to speak up, he’d say, “A man is the head of the household, and a woman must obey.” I was certain those words came straight from his uncle.
Later, during one of their rows, Edward began parroting absurdities about my mother—claims she was a schemer, turning everyone against him. They’d only met twice, and both times had been perfectly civil. That’s when I knew: Charles wasn’t just influencing him—he was poisoning him against my family. Against me.
Edward and I used to decide everything together. Now, he pulls away. He dismisses my advice, takes every remark as an insult. As if I threaten his uncle’s place rather than stand as his wife. I’ve watched my husband change, knowing full well the source of it all. But how do you fight a man your husband sees as an authority?
Then the unexpected happened: Charles was sacked. Another scandal, one too many for management. Edward, however, was promoted—into his uncle’s old position. It shattered Charles’ pride. He left town, claiming it was “temporary,” but I knew the truth—he couldn’t bear being beneath Edward in rank.
Now, my husband has told me Charles is returning. He’s been offered a role as Edward’s assistant. I was horrified. I begged him to speak to management, find someone else. He wouldn’t hear of it. Insisted he needed help, and they’d worked well together before.
But I know how this ends. Charles won’t accept being subordinate. He’ll find a way to undermine Edward, to sabotage him. He’s done it before. He’s envious. He can’t stand equality—he always claws his way to the top.
I hardly recognise my husband anymore. He’s become a puppet in his uncle’s hands. And if this continues, I fear we won’t survive it. Either he’ll lose his job, or I’ll lose my marriage. Perhaps both. I don’t know how to live with this dread, how to salvage what little we have left.
