«Daughter, Ive been thinking… Why do you need three rooms? One seems enough for you. Little Sophie sleeps with you anyway.»
At first, Emily didnt quite grasp what her mother meant. She thought perhaps Mum wanted to bring over another «treasured» antiquea scuffed armchair or an old sideboard that had been in her way for years.
«Well… yes, we dont really use the other rooms,» Emily replied cautiously.
«Exactly! So Ive decided to rent them out. Ill find quiet, sensible tenants. No point letting good space go to waste, is there? You understandI let you stay there, and now Im struggling to make ends meet.»
Emily froze. At first, she couldnt believe her ears. Then a cold, cracking sensation spread inside her. Visions flashed in her mindstrangers in their kitchen, noise, crowds of guestsall while her three-month-old baby slept nearby. Maybe it wouldnt be so bad, but it was a gamble. And Emily wasnt willing to risk her daughters safety.
«Mum… what do you mean, tenants? I have a baby! I dont want strangers in the house.»
«Oh, dont be dramatic. You grew up in a shared flat, and you turned out fine,» her mother dismissed. «Ive already done you a favour, not charging you extra while you save up. What am I supposed to dolive on the streets?»
Emily clenched her teeth. She hadnt expected such betrayal from her own mother. Back in her own flat, Mum would never dream of renting out rooms. But here? No hesitation.
Still, Emily pushed her hurt aside. The most important thing now was her daughter.
«If its that important to you… Fine, well pay you for this month,» Emily finally said. «Well figure something out after that.»
She half-expected her mother to refuseto say she couldnt take money from her own daughter, especially now. But instead
«Good. Ill charge you the family ratetwo hundred pounds,» her mother said breezily. «Just give me two weeks notice if you move out. And youll need to show the flat to the next tenants. No point leaving it empty.»
«Fine,» Emily hissed, hanging up.
She immediately opened her banking app and transferred the money. The moment she tapped «Send,» she felt ittheir relationship had shifted from personal to transactional.
…Margaret had always been like this. Emilys mother had a knack for twisting things to her advantageit had just never hurt this much before.
When Emily was ten, she learned her godmother had sent lavish gifts every Christmas and birthdaya plush pony, a robotic dog, the latest dolls. Margaret pretended they were from her. She never added anything of her own.
At the time, Emily had been only slightly upset. She knew it was wrong, but the full weight of it didnt sink in. Her godmother, however, was furious and started sending gifts through Emilys grandmother instead.
Then there was the time Aunt Lydia and her daughter Lucy came to visit. They hadnt planned to staytheyd booked a hotel while sorting paperwork in town. But Margaret intervened.
«Why stay in some dingy place with a child? Come to minetheres plenty of room. I cant promise restaurant meals, but Ill do my best.»
Aunt Lydia hesitated but eventually agreed. She was consideratenot wanting to burden her sisterso on the first day, she stocked the fridge full.
«Our treat for the food, yours for the cooking,» she said warmly. «Well be out all day, queues and paperwork. And Lucy wants to see the sights.»
They left early and returned late, causing no trouble. Yet on the third day, Margaret announced:
«Lydia, Ive overestimated myself. Maybe ring that hotel? You can stay there the rest of the week.»
Aunt Lydia was deeply hurt. The hotel refused to take them back, so they scrambled to find somewhere else. Emily never saw them again.
Back then, she believed her motherthought she was just tired of guests. Now she understood: Margaret had wanted a free ride. Free food fit the bill, so once she got it, she kicked them out.
Before, Emily had only suffered indirectly. Teachers side-eyed her because Margaret never contributed to school funds and made scenes about it. She wasnt invited to birthday partiesofficially because «who knows what those parents are like,» but really because gifts cost money. Yet none of that compared to what happened with the flat…
Emily and James had known each other since school. First friends, then something more. James even gave up his dream for herhed wanted to study medicine in another city but knew Emily wouldnt follow. So he stayed.
They both studied psychology instead. Emily became a school counsellor, James an HR specialist. They married, saved for a mortgage, planned for childrenlater, once they had their own place.
But life had other plans. An unplanned pregnancy changed everything.
When Emily saw the two lines, she didnt know whether to laugh or cry. A baby with the man she lovedbut now, when they were so close to their deposit? The timing couldnt be worse.
«Whatever you decide, Im with you,» James said.
He wanted the baby too but understood the financial strain.
Then Margaret stepped in.
«Whats there to think about?» she said upon hearing the news. «Where God sends a child, He sends the means! Stay in my second flatGrandmas old place. Youll save up in no time. And dont you dare get rid of that baby! What if you cant have another?»
Her offer tipped the scales. Despite her flaws, Emily believed they had a decent relationship. A mother with resources helping her struggling daughterit sounded noble. If only that kindness had lasted…
Now, Emily didnt know where to turn. What if tomorrow Margaret decided two hundred wasnt enough? Or moved in strangers? Nothing would surprise her.
That evening, she told James everything. He held her tightly as she cried.
«Dont worry. Ill think of something. Faster than a month,» he promised.
And he did.
Days later, they visited his mother, Patricia. Nothing unusualthey often dropped by. Patricia had known Emily over a decade, taking her and James to the park as children.
At one point, Patricia took Emilys hand.
«Love, James told me everything. Dont be afraidIll help with the deposit. You two are so responsible at your age. Some still rely on their parents, but youve done so well.»
Her voice was soft, nothing like Margarets grand declarations. But the warmth in her eyesEmily broke down, sobbing into her hands. The contrast was staggering: her own mother driving them out, while her mother-in-law offered a lifeline.
They decided to stay with Patricia while sorting the mortgage and house hunt. James packed their things while Emily returned the keys to Margaretbut she didnt go up. She couldnt face her. Just dropped them in the mailbox and texted.
«Why didnt you come in?» Margaret asked later.
«Isnt it obvious?»
«Well… you chose to leave. No one forced you,» Margaret replied. «Youre the one who got offended.»
From that day, Emily cut ties almost completely. Truthfully, she had no energy for it. Paperwork, signatures, repairsshe took freelance work to ease the mortgage burden. It was hard, but she felt part of something greater.
Now, she focused entirely on her familyJames, little Sophie, and Patricia, whod given them not just money but faith and support. As for her mother… Well, you dont choose family. Sometimes, those closest to you arent bound by blood, but by who stands by you when it matters.
