Seems like youve forgotten this flat is minebought before we got married, I said coldly as I heard my husband confidently giving orders about my home.
Emily set her tea on the windowsill and stared outside, lost in thought. Shed spent ten years saving for this place, working two jobs, putting every spare pound aside, denying herself everything. And now
Em, love, Ive been thinking we should rearrange things a bit, her mother-in-laws voice carried from the living room. That sofas all wrong where it is.
Emily sighed. Margaret had shown up unannouncedagainletting herself in with her own key, which shed had cut without asking. Just in case, shed said.
Theres no need to move anything, Emily stepped into the living room. I like it as it is.
How can you? Margaret threw her hands up. Its terrible feng shui! I watched a whole programme about it last night.
Margaret, I really dont want it changed.
Tom! Margaret raised her voice as her son walked in. Tell your wife families should listen to their elders.
Tom hesitated, glancing between his mother and wife.
Mum, maybe not now?
Then when? Your dad and I arent getting any younger. Soon well need looking after. And youve got so much room here
Emily clenched her jaw. There it wasthe thing shed dreaded since they got married. Margaret was slowly paving the way to move in.
Youve got a lovely three-bed in Croydon, Emily reminded her.
Lovely?! Margaret scoffed. Third floor with no lift! At our age, its a nightmare. And youre ground floor, shops right there
Mum, well talk about this another time, Tom tried to cut in.
Whats to discuss? I thought we were family. Families stick together. Your sister took her in-laws in straightaway
Sarahs husband bought their house, Emily snapped. *I* bought this flat. Before we married.
Oh, here we go! Margaret threw her hands up. Mine, yours Family shares everything!
Emilys right, Tom said, surprisingly firm. This is her flat.
Tom, what are you saying? Margaret clutched her chest theatrically. I gave everything for you, and now you
Not now, Mum, Tom took her arm. Come on, Ill walk you out.
When the door shut, Emily collapsed into the armchair. Three years of marriage, and these conversations never stopped. First hints, then advice about redecorating, now outright demands
Sorry about Mum, Tom sat beside her. You know she means well.
Does she? Emily gave a hollow laugh. Or does she just want to run our lives?
Dont be like that
Tom, she turns up unannounced, moves my things, criticises everythingcurtains, cooking, even how I stack the dishwasher! And now she wants to *live* here?
They *are* getting older, Tom sighed. Maybe we should think about it? Theyre my parents
Emily shot up like shed been burned.
Think about *what*? Are you seriously suggesting they move in?
Not right now, obviously, but eventually?
Tom, this flats the only thing Ive ever had that was truly *mine*. Ten years of savingdo you get that? Its my space, my
*Our* space, Tom corrected gently. Were married now.
Emily went silent, stunned. A thought flashed: *You too? You think my flats yours now?*
Actually, Tom continued, like it was nothing, since were talking about the flat I spoke to an estate agent.
What estate agent? Emily tensed.
Mum knows someone. Really clued-up. Says if we sell yours
*What?* Sell *my* flat?
*Ours*, Tom corrected. If we sell ours and my parents, we could get a little place in Surrey. Room for everyone, fresh air
Emily stared, speechless. Had he and his mother planned this *behind her back*?
Tom, do you even hear yourself? Her voice shook. What house? What sale?
Love, it makes sense, Tom said, using that placating tone he always did with his mum. Why stay in London when we could
The doorbell rang. A man in a suit stood there.
Evening. From Chesterton Estateshere for Thomas Wright?
Perfect timing, Emily flung the door open.
Tom went pale.
Em, wait
No, *you* wait. She turned to the agent. You do know this flats solely in my name? Bought before marriage?
The agent looked at Tom, confused.
Your husband said
My husband says a lot of things. Emily yanked the deeds from the drawer. Look. Land registry. Marriage certificate. See the dates?
Right well, the sale cant go ahead without your signature.
Exactly. And Im not signing.
We had an agreement! Margaret cut in.
*You* had an agreement. Not me.
The agent left, muttering about refunding the deposit. Emily started packing Toms things into a suitcase.
You cant do this! Margaret wailed. Were *family*!
We *were*, Emily zipped the case shut. Until you decided my life was yours to run.
Tom grabbed her wrist.
Em, lets talk!
About what? You trying to sell my home? Or the *loan* you took out?
I was trying to help
Who? Your mum? Yourself? Definitely *not* me.
Her phone buzzeda bank alert. Her flat had been *used as collateral* for a loan. A signature shed never given. The room spun.
What the hell is this? She shoved the phone in Toms face.
He looked away.
It was for the deposit I thought wed work it out
Work it out? Emily laughed bitterly. Did you *forge* my signature?
Time was tight! Margaret snapped. You always overcomplicate things!
*Im* overcomplicating? You commit *fraud*, and *Im* the problem?
Darling girl
Dont. Emily stepped back. Get out. Both of you.
Emily, please
*Out.* And tomorrow Im going to the bank. And the police.
You wouldnt! Margaret gasped. Hes your *husband*!
Not anymore. Emily slid off her ring and dropped it on the table.
Tom begged, Margaret screeched, but Emily held the door open until they left. The moment it clicked shut, she felt lighter than she had in years.
Her best mate, Kate, hugged her tight. Spill everything.
Emily talked for hoursabout Margarets slow takeover, Tom always siding with her, how shed bent over backwards to keep the peace.
And now *this*, she muttered. How could he?
Calling the cops? Kate asked.
Damn right. And the bankthat signatures fake.
Her phone kept buzzingMargaret texting threats, Tom pleading. Emily deleted them all.
What now? Kate refilled her wine.
Now I live for *me*. Not for people who see me as a tenant in my own home.
For the first time in ages, she felt free. Plans tumbled outredo the bathroom, book a holiday to Spain, finally try that pottery class
Next morning, Margarets text arrived: *Youve torn this family apart!* Tom followed up: *Ill fix this, just come home.*
Emily smirked. There *was* no home to go back to. Not to being ignored, steamrolled, treated like a doormat.
The bank took her fraud claim seriously. The police opened a case. Tom called from different numbers, begging her to drop it. She didnt.
I almost caved, she told Kate. When he said family
And now?
Now I knowfamily doesnt steal from you.
That evening, Emily changed the locks, binned Margarets ghastly vase, and rearranged the furniture exactly how *she* liked it.
Next day, court papers arrivedTom was suing for his share. Emily just laughed. Let him try. Her paperwork was ironclad. *His* forged signature? Thatd be fun to explain in court.
Margarets final text dinged: *Youll regret this!* Emily deleted it without reading. In her new life, there was no room for people who didnt respect boundaries.
