Last night was just another family dinner at first, but it ended in a way thats left me totally stunned. My husband, Oliver, had his mum, Patricia, round, and like always, I tried to make it nicelaid the table, whipped up her favourite roast chicken, even dug out the good china. I thought wed just natter about the weekend, maybe plan a trip to the seaside. Instead, I ended up trapped in the weirdest, most horrible chat. Patricia fixed me with this icy stare and said, Emily, if you dont agree to what were asking, Oliver will file for divorce. I just sat there, fork halfway to my mouth, completely gobsmacked.
Oliver and I have been married five years. Its not perfectno marriage isweve had our fair share of rows and misunderstandings, but I always thought we were in it together. Hes sweet, thoughtful, and even when things got rough, we always worked it out. Patricias been a constant presencepopping by unannounced, ringing up with advice that sounds more like demands, but Ive always tried to be polite. Last night, though, she went too far, and the worst part? Oliver didnt shut it downhe backed her up.
It started off normal enough. We were eating, chatting about Patricias mate whod just retired, Oliver cracking jokes about his boss. Then the air went thick. Patricia turned to me and said, Emily, Oliver and I need to have a serious word with you. I braced myself, thinking itd be something minormaybe helping her sort her garden or picking out new curtains. Instead, she dropped the bombshell: she wants us to move into her place.
Turns out, Patricias decided her big detached house in the Cotswolds is too much for her alone, and shes set on us living there with her. Plenty of room, she said. Youd sell your little terraced house in London, put the money into doing the place up. Its practicalId help you, youd help me. I was floored. Oliver and I only just finished doing up our cosy little home in Islington. Its ours, our sanctuary, where weve built our life. Moving in with her would mean giving all that up, not to mention living under her thumbno thanks.
I tried to gently say we were grateful but happy where we were, that wed help her any other way we could. Patricia wasnt having it. She cut me off, saying I didnt care about family, that young people are so selfish, and Oliver deserved a wife whod respect his mother. Then came the divorce bit. Oliver, whod been dead quiet, suddenly piped up: Emily, you know how much Mum means to me. We need to step up. I felt like the rug had been pulled out from under me.
I didnt know what to say. I just stared at Oliver, waiting for him to laugh it off, but he looked away. Patricia kept on, saying it was for the best, that family sticks together, and I should be thankful. I stayed quiet, scared if I spoke, Id either burst into tears or say something I couldnt take back. Dinner ended in total silence, and not long after, Patricia left, with Oliver walking her to the taxi.
When he came back, I asked, Ollie, are you actually serious about this? And what was that divorce rubbish? He just sighed and said he didnt want a row, but his mum really needs us, and I should be more understanding. I was flabbergasted. Was he really ready to throw away our marriage over this? I reminded him how wed chosen our house together, how wed dreamed of our own space. He just shrugged and said, Think about it, Em. Its not the end of the world.
I didnt sleep a wink, replaying it all. I love Oliver, and the idea of him picking his mum over our future together guts me. But I cant just hand over my independence to keep her happy. Patricia isnt evil, but her pressure and threats are too much. I wont live in a house where Im constantly under a microscope. And I wont let our marriage hinge on whether I cave to her demands.
Today, Im going to talk to Oliver again, properly this time. I need to know how far hes willing to take this and if theres a middle ground. Maybe we could visit Patricia more, help her find a live-in carer? But if he digs his heels in, I dont know what Ill do. I dont want to lose us, but I wont lose myself either. Last night showed me cracks I hadnt seen before. Now Ive got to figure out how to save what we have without letting go of who I am.
