**Diary Entry**
For four long years, Emily and James poured their hearts into building a two-storey countryside home. Every spare moment, every penny went into it, and finally, the day came when we moved in with our three children. The promise of a happy family life seemed within reachuntil Jamess mother, Margaret, decided to make her presence known. She had always dismissed the idea of building a home as foolish and wasteful, but now that we were settled, she couldnt resist prying.
Relatives and friends had all visited within two monthseveryone except Margaret. They gushed over the house, and of course, word got back to her.
*»Clara was raving about your placeI want to see what you spent all that money on,»* she said with a smug smile over the phone. James, oblivious to her tone, sent her a few photos. The moment she saw them, her dissatisfaction was obvious.
*»Interesting how everyones been invited except me. The whole familys seen it, and Im the last to know.»*
*»Maybe because you called it a waste of time and money?»* James reminded her.
*»Oh, must you bring that up? Let bygones be bygones,»* she scoffed.
*»And let history repeat itself?»* he countered sharply.
To deflect, Margaret changed the subject, demanding the address. James obliged, and the very next day, she arrived unannounced. I was stunnedJames hadnt mentioned a word.
*»Why didnt you tell me?»* I asked, bewildered.
*»Didnt think shed come so soon,»* he admitted, equally surprised.
Margaret brought chocolates for the childrenthree bars from the shophardly a thoughtful gesture, given shed never shown much interest in them. She inspected the house with a critical eye, her expression souring by the minute.
It wasnt until shed had two glasses of champagne that her true feelings spilled out.
*»Why should I be stuck in a flat like a pauper while your wife lives like a queen in this house?»*
*»A pauper? We sold your old one-bed, added our money, and bought you a two-bed flat. Not to mention the £200 I send you every month. Whats so wretched about that?»*
*»Oh, Im supposed to be grateful, am I? Well, I want a house too!»*
*»Mum, this was our dream. Whats it got to do with you?»*
*»What do you mean? Did I not raise you? Dont I deserve better?»*
I couldnt stay silent. *»James, shes just jealous. She wants control, not a home.»*
Margaret huffed, pouring herself another drink. James led her outside, trying to reason with her.
*»Mum, youre not exactly the warmest grandmother. The kids avoid you, and honestly, so do we. This house is for our familynot yours.»*
*»Oh, so Im the villain now? Or is this your wifes doing?»*
*»Listenthis house stands for our happiness. I wont let you ruin it.»*
*»Ruin it? My feelings mean nothing to you, do they? Everyones blameless except me!»* With that, she stormed off without a goodbye.
A month later, she called in a rage. Shed decided to sell her flat and buy a houseonly to discover James was the legal owner.
*»You cheated me! You left me with nothing!»*
*»I put my own money into that flat. Did I not have the right?»*
*»Youve taken everything!»* She hung up, cutting all contact.
James tried reaching out, but she ignored him. Some wounds never healespecially when prides involved.
