Sophia snatched the wedding ring.
«Sophia Margaret, you have no right to speak to us like that!» Emily shot up from her seat, cheeks burning with indignation. «William and I are adultswe’ll decide how to live our lives!»
«Adults?» The elderly woman curled her lip. «More like children playing house. Youre renting a flat, you dont even own a car, and between the two of you, you earn barely enough to keep a goldfish fed. And now you’re talking about children?»
William sat with his head down, as if hoping to disappear into the sofa cushions while his wife and mother argued. What had started as a perfectly civil family dinner had, yet again, turned into a battleground.
«Mum, we were just sharing our plans,» he finally interjected. «Were not asking for money or help.»
«As if you could!» Sophia threw her hands up. «You can barely scrape together pennies, and now you want a baby? Whos going to feed it? Clothe it? Pay for its schooling?»
Emily felt a lump rise in her throat. Three years of marriage, and every visit to her mother-in-law felt like walking into an interrogation. Every decision criticised, every move judged. But today, Sophia had outdone herself.
«Well manage,» Emily said quietly, fighting the tremor in her voice. «Were hardly the first couple to raise a child in a rented flat.»
«Oh, of course youll manage!» Sophias tone turned venomous. «Especially since you always have your favourite solution for problemsselling something valuable. Maybe youll flog your parents house next? Its just sitting empty, as I recall.»
That was a low blow. Emilys parents had died in a car crash three years ago, leaving her a modest two-bedroom house in the suburbsone she refused to sell, no matter how tight money got. It was the last thread tying her to them.
«Mum!» William stood abruptly. «Thats too far.»
«Too far?» Sophia blinked innocently. «Im just saying your Emilys no stranger to parting with precious things. Or have you forgotten how she sold her grandmothers gold earrings to pay for your honeymoon? Such extravagance!»
Emily bit her lip. Yes, shed sold those earringsher choice, her sacrifice. But that holiday had been worth every penny: a week by the sea, just the two of them, away from prying eyes and unsolicited advice.
«I think well go,» Emily said, standing and grabbing her bag. «Thank you for dinner, Sophia.»
«Running off already?» Sophia sighed dramatically. «But I made bread-and-butter puddingWilliams favourite.»
«Another time,» Emily said firmly, blinking back tears.
In the hallway, as William helped her into her coat, Sophia suddenly called out, «Emily, dear, let me see your wedding ring. I havent had a proper look in ages.»
Emily frowned. A strange request, especially after that argument. But she wasnt in the mood to protest, so she held out her left hand, the slim gold band glinting on her finger.
«No, take it off,» Sophia tutted. «I want to check the hallmark.»
Reluctantly, Emily slipped off the ring and handed it over. Sophia inspected it under the lightthen clenched it in her fist.
«This was my mothers,» she said coldly. «A family heirloom. I gave it to William for the proposal, but clearly, I acted too soon.»
«What?» Emilys stomach dropped. «William, tell her»
But William stood frozen, staring between his mother and wife.
«Mum, give it back,» he finally croaked. «It belongs to Emily now.»
«No, darling,» Sophia pocketed the ring with a calm smile. «Heirlooms stay in the family. Ill give it to the bride who truly becomes part of this familynot one who only thinks of herself.»
Tears spilled down Emilys cheeks. Three years. Three years of trying to win this womans approval, enduring her jabs and meddling. And now thisthe final straw.
«William,» she turned to him, voice shaking. «Say something.»
He stood pale and lost, clearly unprepared for this.
«Mum, give it back,» he repeated weakly. «This… this isnt right.»
«Not right?» Sophia scoffed. «You know whats not right? A wife turning her husband against his mother. Dragging him into poverty instead of living in the family home. Planting ideas about a baby you cant afford!»
«Enough!» Emilys fear melted into white-hot rage. «William, Im leaving. Now. You choosecome with me or stay here.»
She flung the door open without looking back. Her heart hammered in her throat. Was this it? Would their marriage shatter against Sophias ironclad belief in her own righteousness?
William caught up on the stairwell, grabbing her wrist.
«Emily, wait! Lets not overreact.»
«Overreact?» She whirled on him. «Your mother just stole my wedding ring! The symbol of our marriage! And all you could muster was ‘this isnt right’?»
«I panicked,» he ran a hand through his hair. «You know how she is. Shell calm down and return it tomorrow.»
«Its not about the ring, William,» Emily shook her head. «Its about her disrespectfor me, for our marriage, for you. And you let her.»
They stepped into the drizzly October evening. The bus ride to their rented flat took half an houra cramped one-bedder on the top floor of a pebbledash tower block, overlooking the railway tracks. But to Emily, it was home. Theirs. No criticism, no interference.
The ride passed in silence. Emily stared at raindrops racing down the window. Her finger felt strangely light. Three years without removing that ringnot even while washing up.
At home, William flicked the kettle on while Emily curled up on the sofa, hugging her knees.
«Emily,» he sat beside her, touching her shoulder. «Ill fix this. Ill get the ring back tomorrow.»
«And if she refuses?» Emily whispered.
«She wont,» he said firmly. «And if she does… well buy a new one. A better one.»
«Its not about the ring,» Emily repeated. «Its about everything else. Every time we see your mother, I feel like an outsider. Like Im not your wifejust some… temporary nuisance. This ring drama is just the last straw.»
William sighed heavily.
«I know. Mum can be… difficult. But she loves me. She wants whats best.»
«Best for you?» Emily gave a bitter laugh. «She wants control. She still hasnt accepted that youve grown up and started your own family.»
«She just worries»
«No, William,» Emily cut in. «Worry is asking if you need help. Not criticising every choice and stealing wedding rings.»
The room fell silent. The kettle clicked off, unnoticed.
«Ill talk to her,» William said finally. «Properly this time. Ill make it clear this cant go on.»
«Youve said that after every argument,» Emily sighed. «Nothing changes.»
«This time it will,» he took her hands. «I promise.»
She wanted to believe him. But something had broken todaythe last barrier shielding their little family from outside interference.
That night, Emily lay awake while William slept. She twisted the empty space on her finger, replaying every cruel word, every moment William couldve defended her but stayed silent.
The next evening, she found him slumped at the kitchen table.
«She wont give it back,» he said hollowly. «Says its her final decision.»
«And what did you say?»
«I told her it wasnt fair, that the ring is yours,» he rubbed his face. «We argued. Properly argued.»
«And?»
«Nothing. She wont budge. Says shell only return it when shes sure our marriage is solid and…» he trailed off.
«And what?» Emilys stomach clenched.
«And that you wont pull me away from the family,» he mumbled.
Emily stared. Three years of marriage, three years of tryingand this was the result? To Sophia, she was nothing but a gold-digger whod stolen her precious son.
«William,» she said quietly. «I think we need to talk.»
He nodded, still avoiding her eyes.
«I cant do this anymore,» she continued. «This ring isnt just about a ring. Its about respect. About your mother refusing to accept meor our marriage.»
«Shes just old-fashioned,» William argued weakly. «Give her time»
«Time?» Emily laughed bitterly. «Three years isnt enough? How many more do I need to prove Im worthy of you?»
«You dont have to prove anything,» he finally met her gaze. «I love you. Thats all that matters.»
«If that were true,» she said, voice breaking, «you wouldnt let your mother treat me like this. Youd defend our familyusinstead of waffling between me and her.»
Silence hung heavy. Rain pattered against the window.
«What are you saying?» William asked finally.
Emily took a deep breath. The decision that had been forming all day crystallised into words.
«I think we need some space. Time apart to think. To decide what we really want from this marriagefrom life.»
«You… you want to split up?» His voice cracked.
«I want clarity,» she said firmly. «To know if we have a future, or if your mother will always stand between us.»
«Shes not between us!» he protested. «This is just… a rough patch.»
«A three-year rough patch?» Emily shook her head. «No, William. This is our life. And I wont spend it begging your mother to deem me worthy of you.»
She stood, pulling a small holdall from the cupboard. Her hands shook, but her resolve didnt.
«Where are you going?» William followed, eyes wide.
«To Hannahs. Just for a few days. We both need space to think.»
«Emily, please,» he grabbed her hands. «Give me a chance to fix this. One chance.»
Emily hesitated. Maybe she was rushing. Maybe the ring was the wake-up call they needed?
«Alright,» she said finally. «One chance. But Im still going. I need time.»
He nodded, swiping at tears.
«Ill prove our family comes first. I promise.»
Emily slung the bag over her shoulder. At the door, she turned back.
«Heres what hurts most. Its not that she took the ring. Its that she thinks Im unworthy of your family heirloom. Like Im just some… temporary fling.»
«Thats not true,» William said firmly. «And Ill prove it. To both of you.»
Emily gave a faint smile and stepped out into the rain.
The bus came almost immediately. As she watched streetlights blur through the wet glass, her phone buzzeda text from William:
*Ill make this right. Promise. Love you.*
She didnt reply. Words meant little now. Only actions could change anything. And shed give him this one last chanceto prove their love was stronger than any interference. Even his mothers.
Her bare finger felt strange. But maybe, just maybe, it marked the start of something new.
