“What on earth do you think youre doing? This is my home! Your son and I divorced three years ago!” shouted the woman, aghast as she saw her former mother-in-law leading a locksmith to break into her flat.
Nearly three years had passed since shed separated from her cruel husband. For years, he and his mother had made her life miserable: her ex-mother-in-law would confiscate her wages, keep a watchful eye on every move, while her husband drank all night in the kitchen with his mates, causing endless arguments and often leaving her in tears. Ten years of such a marriage chipped away at her health, and stress caused her to put on weight.
One day, she looked at her worn, tired face in the mirror and realised that unless she left right there and then, these people would destroy her. The divorce was bitterfull of shouting, threats, and her husbands desperate attempts to claim her flat. He refused to leave, insisting on “his share”, and only the local constable managed to remove him in the end.
That day, she was coming home from work and, as she reached her landing, she was struck with horror at the sight: standing by her door were her ex-mother-in-law and a locksmith in blue overalls, fiddling with her lock. Her former mother-in-law was barking orders, urging the man to “hurry it up”. The woman froze for a second, then found her voice:
What do you think youre doing?
Her ex-mother-in-law didnt even turn around:
My nephew and I have come to collect what rightfully belongs to us.
Are you completely out of your mind? Your son and I divorced three years ago. This is my flat!
Half of this place belongs to my son, her reply was icy.
The woman stood in the corridor, breathing hard, barely able to believe her former mother-in-law was genuinely trying to break into her home. But then came something that truly chilled her to the bone.
Her ex-mother-in-law bent toward the locksmith and hissed, “Do it quicker; she musnt see whats inside.” Those words stabbed her with panic. What wasnt she supposed to see? She rushed forwardand then spotted faint dirty marks on the doormat.
This wasnt their first attempt. Her heart dropped. She shouted: “Have you already been in my home?” Her former mother-in-law went pale but merely sneered, “We have every right.”
The woman shoved her aside, flung the door open, and the sight within made her scream.
There, in the sitting room, were her ex-husband and a young womanhis girlfriendsprawled out as if it were their own home: their belongings scattered about, bags of groceries, shoes dumped by the door. Her ex looked up, smirking:
Whats the problem? Half of this is mine. Mum will change the locks and you can leave. Were living here now.
Her knees nearly gave way but she steadied herself, pulled out her phone, and rang the police. Within minutes, a police car arrived.
She provided her ownership documents, divorce decree, and the court order for her exs eviction. The officers listened to both sides, then one said:
Sir, youve entered these premises unlawfully. Please come with us.
Her ex began to yell; her ex-mother-in-law gestured wildly in protest, but it was no use. He was led out by the police, the locksmith was sternly warned of criminal liability, and her ex-mother-in-law, chalk-white, sat shaking on a chair and mumbled, “We thought he still had rights”
In the end, she realised something important: standing up for yourself, no matter how frightening it may seem, is always worth it. Strength comes not from avoiding conflict, but from protecting your happiness and your own hard-won peace.
