The alarm blared, and Emma turned over the bedside table to see her motherinlaw rummaging through the dresser.
Enough, Mum! Davids voice roared through the flat. Were adults, well sort it out ourselves!
Emma froze by the stove, a ladle clenched in her fists. David had been arguing with his mother for the last twenty minutes, and there seemed to be no end in sight.
Im your mother! Evelyn Harper stood in the middle of the kitchen, arms crossed over her chest. And I have the right to know where you spend your money!
Mother, Im thirtyfive. I have a wife and a child. Whats it to you how much I earn or where I put it?
Because I can see somethings wrong! Yesterday you came home and the fridge was empty! Emma, you must have forgotten to shop again!
Emmas stomach lurched at the sound of her own name. She turned to face Evelyn.
The fridge isnt empty, Mother. I just havent had time to go to the market yet. I was planning to this evening.
Evening, Evelyn snapped, her tone dripping with contempt. You sit at home all day and cant even manage a simple grocery run!
Im not at home, Im on maternity leave! Lucy is only eight months old!
In my day we stayed at home, but the house was spotless! And we made borscht for my son every night!
David ran a hand over his face.
Please, Mum, stop this.
Im not starting, Im stating facts! Look at hershes a mess, in a dressing gown all morning!
Emma felt her cheeks flush. She was indeed in a faded dressing gown, her hair pulled into a careless knot. But wasnt that expected? Shed fed the baby, done the laundry, hung up the sheets, cooked breakfastall before shed had a moment for herself.
Evelyn, perhaps you should go home? she said as calmly as she could. You must have things to do.
My business is to look after my son! I didnt raise him any other way!
Enough, Mum, leave! David grabbed Evelyns elbow. Please, dont make this worse.
Evelyn jerked free, snatched her handbag from the table, and shouted, Fine, Im going! But know this, DavidI see whats happening in this house, and sooner or later youll have to face it yourself!
She slammed the door shut. David stood in the kitchen, breathing heavily.
Sorry, Em, he said, exhausted. She kept ringing all morning and then turned up unannounced.
Its fine, Emma replied, returning to the stove. Im used to it.
She wasnt used to it. Evelyn had been meddling from the day they were married. She criticised everythinghow Emma cooked, how she cleaned, what she wore, how she raised Lucy. She arrived without warning, inspected the fridge, rifled through the cupboards.
David tried to defend his wife, but his mothers presence was a wall he couldnt tear down. Emma swallowed her anger. What else could she do?
Theyd been married four years. Theyd met at the accounting department of a Manchester factoryDavid as the department manager, Emma as a junior accountant. Hed courted her with flowers and dinner dates. Shed fallen in love for the first time in her life.
Evelyn had disliked Emma from the start. At their first meeting shed sized her up and said, Well, Denis chose a plain one. I expected something different. Emma never learned what that different was.
After the wedding, the nitpicking began. Evelyn would pop in with checks, find dust in corners, a soup underseasoned, dishes not washed. Shed lecture on how a wife should love her husband, how a home should be run.
David initially objected, then gave up. Hed wave his hand and mutter, Its just Mum, you cant help it, trying to ignore the constant calls asking what he was cooking, why he looked tired, insinuating that Emma was a bad wife.
When Emma became pregnant, the intrusion grew. Evelyn dictated every meal, every vitamin, every doctors visit. After Lucy was born, she practically moved inshowing up daily to teach how to swaddle, how to bottlefeed, how to rock the baby.
Emma endured it all for David, for the family. But she was running out of strength.
One night, after Lucy finally slept, Emma curled up on the sofa next to David.
Dave, Im exhausted, she confessed. Your mother has no sense of boundaries.
I know, he said, wrapping an arm around her. But she lives alone, shes lonely.
Thats no excuse for her to barge in.
Were not strangers to her. Shes my mother.
And I am?
David sighed.
Emma, lets not fight. Im tired.
Emma fell silent. He was tired, but wasnt she? A whole day of baby, cooking, cleaning, laundry, then another round of Evelyns complaints. David, of course, had his work and his stress.
She rose, went to the kitchen, finished her cold dinner, washed the dishes, checked Lucyshe was sleeping soundly, a tiny sigh escaping her. She returned to the bedroom.
David was already asleep. Emma lay beside him, pulled the blanket up, closed her eyes, but sleep would not come. Her mind replayed Evelyns sharp words, the looming certainty that the mother would return tomorrow.
A rustle jolted her awake. She opened her eyesstill dark outside. The clock read 5:30am. What was that noise?
She listened. From the bedroom came a faint shuffling, as if someone were riffling through papers. Lucy? No, she was still in the cot. David? He lay still, unmoving.
Emma propped herself on her elbow. The sound came from the old wooden dresser in the corner, the one where she kept her undergarments, documents, little trinkets.
In the dim light she saw a silhouette. A woman bent over an open drawer, her hand moving among Emmas belongings.
Emmas breath caught. Who was this? How had they gotten in?
The figure turned, and under the glow of the streetlamp filtering through the curtains, Emma recognised the faceEvelyn Harper.
She was digging through Emmas dresser at six in the morning, in their bedroom.
Emma sat up, eyes never leaving Evelyn. Her heart hammered. What are you doing? she demanded.
Evelyn snapped the drawer shut, a flicker of panic crossing her eyes before settling into a practiced calm.
Oh, youre awake, she said brightly. Didnt mean to wake you.
What are you doing in my dresser? Emma rose, voice shaking.
I was looking for napkins. My nose was stuffed, I needed to blow my nose.
Napkins are in the kitchen, not here.
I didnt know. I thought maybe they were tucked away, Evelyn muttered, closing the drawer with a soft thud.
Emma stepped closer, staring directly at her.
How did you get into our flat?
I have a spare key. David gave it to me when Lucy was born, just in case.
And you decided to show up at six in the morning?
Im an early riser. I wanted to help with the baby so you could get some rest.
Help by rummaging through my things?
Evelyn straightened, a defensive edge to her voice.
I wasnt digging! I was looking for napkins!
What napkins? You were pulling through my underwear!
Youhow dare you speak to me like that?
David stirred, eyes blinking open.
Whats happening? he mumbled.
Ask your mother! Emma snapped, her anger bubbling over. Shes snooping through my drawers at six in the morning!
David sat up, rubbing his eyes.
My mum? What are you doing here?
Im trying to help, Evelyn said, feigning hurt. And now Im being accused of theft!
I never called you a thief! I asked what you were doing in my dresser!
Looking for napkins! she repeated, as if that explained everything.
What napkins?! Emma shouted. Do you think Im an idiot? You came in here on purpose to snoop through my things!
Lucy wailed from the next room, startled by the shouting. Emma scooped her up, soothing, Shh, love, its alright. She rocked the infant as the argument raged on.
David tried to intervene, Mum, why are you digging through the dresser?
Evelyn replied, Im not digging, Im just looking for something Im sure is in there.
Emma, still holding Lucy, said, I saw you. I saw you rifling through my underwear. Its not napkins.
The bedroom door slammed shut as Evelyn sat on the edge of the bed, clutching the open drawer.
My underwear! In my drawer! How could you think thats where napkins belong?
I didnt see it, I was so dark! Evelyn protested.
Youre lying! You came here to spy on me!
Davids voice rose, Enough! Both of you, shut up!
Lucys cries grew louder. Emma clutched her tighter, fled the bedroom, and headed for the kitchen, hands trembling as she finished the babys formula.
What had just happened? Had Evelyn really been rifling through her personal belongings? What could she possibly have been looking for?
David entered the kitchen while Emma fed Lucy.
Moms gone, he said.
Alright.
She really meant to help.
Emma lifted her eyes to him. Do you really believe this napkin story?
I dont know. Maybe she was looking for them.
David, my underwear was in that drawer! Not napkins!
He shrugged, Well, maybe she didnt see clearly in the dark.
The light was already up!
He took a sip of water, Emma, lets not make a mountain out of a molehill. Mum just
Just what? Breaking into our flat at dawn and digging through my things? Thats not normal.
She has a key, thats all.
Then take the key away!
Why? In case something happens, we might need it.
Im not spying!
Enough! David shouted, his voice echoing through the flat. Both of you, stop!
Lucys wail grew deafening. Emma pressed the baby to her chest, left the kitchen, and sank onto the sofa, head in her hands. What was happening to her life? Why did David believe his mother over his own wife?
David returned late, around eleven. Emma lay in bed, eyes wide, unable to sleep.
So, you talked to her? she asked as he entered.
Yes.
And?
She said she was looking for napkins, didnt find any, went into the bedroom, opened the top drawer, and you woke up.
David, shes lying.
Why would my mother lie?
Because she doesnt want to admit she was spying on me!
Why would she spy?
I dont know. Maybe she thinks Im hiding something from you.
David sat on the edge of the bed, his voice low. Hiding?
Emma froze. The accusation hung heavy between them.
What? Seriously?
You said it yourself
I said she might think that! Emma snapped. I didnt say she actually is doing it!
Then why are you so on edge?
Because my privacy was invaded! Because someone I barely know went through my personal things!
My mother isnt a stranger.
To me she is! Shes not my mother.
David stood, So my mother is a stranger to you.
Dont twist it, David!
You said it yourself.
He walked to the bathroom, slamming the door. Emma lay on the bed, staring at the ceiling. Everything was falling apart.
The next morning David left for work without a goodbye. Emma stayed with Lucy, the day dragging on in a fog. She waited for Evelyn to appear, but nothing came.
That evening Davids phone rang. He talked for ages. Emma caught fragmentsapologies, promises not to show up unannounced, a plea for forgiveness.
When he finally hung up, he looked at Emma. Mum apologises. She says she wont turn up without warning.
Good, Emma nodded.
And shell give the key back, if that makes you feel safer.
Relief softened Emmas shoulders. Thank you.
Just one thing, David added. Youll need to apologise to her for accusing her of theft.
I didnt accuse her of theft!
You did. She told me you called her a thief.
Emma clenched her fists. Evelyn had already turned the victim, and now they wanted her to apologise.
Fine, she muttered. Ill apologise.
She called Evelyn the next day. Im sorry, I was out of line. I shouldnt have reacted that way.
There was a pause on the other end. I accept your apology, Evelyn finally said. I was wrong too. I shouldnt have come at that hour.
Will you return the key? Emma asked.
Another pause. I will. If it means youre comfortable.
Evelyn sent the spare key back through David. She promised not to turn up unannounced, to call first, to ask before visiting. Emma allowed her in, but met her with a cool distance.
A wall rose between them. Evelyn kept her distance; Emma returned the courtesy. David was caught between his mother and his wife, unable to mend the fracture completely.
When Lucy turned one, Emma found a plain white envelope in the postbox, no return address. Inside was a cramped note in shaky handwriting:
Emma, Im sorry. I did go through your dresser looking for proof you were cheating on David. A neighbour said she saw you with a man near the block. I believed it because I didnt trust you. Youre not the wife I wanted for my son. But I was wrong. Youre a good mother, a good wife. David is happy with you. Forgive this foolish old woman. Evelyn.
Emma read the letter several times. It confirmed what shed seenEvelyn had been spying.
She showed it to David that night. He read it in silence, his face paling.
Mum she really thought I was cheating?
It seems so.
Who did she claim she saw?
Probably the electrician. He was checking the meter; we talked on the pavement.
David lowered his head. Im sorry. I should have believed you from the start.
I should have trusted you too, Emma whispered.
David sighed, My mother sometimes overprotects me. Shes scared Ill be hurt, that Ill be deceived.
David, Im your wife. Four years together, a daughter. And your mother thinks I could be unfaithful?
She was just worried.
Her worry turned into trespass. She invaded my personal space, and you defended her.
What do I do now?
Its your choice. But I need you to pick a side.
Im on your side, Emma. I always have been.
You werent. You kept choosing Mum.
No more. I promise.
Emma wanted to believe him, but promises from David often rang hollow.
Evelyn turned up for Lucys birthday, kept a low profile, gave a modest gift, left early. Emma walked her to the door.
Thanks for the letter, Emma said. For the honesty.
Forgive me, Evelyn took Emmas hand. I was foolish, listened to gossip instead of talking to you.
You never trusted me from the start.
I was scared to lose my son. Hes my only child. When he married, I felt him slip away.
He didnt slip away. He built a family.
I know now. I didnt understand then.
Silence fell between them.
Evelyn, lets start over, Emma suggested. Try to build a normal relationship.
Evelyn nodded, wiping a tear. Lets try. Ill try.
Emma softened, Ill try too.
From then on, Evelyn stopped the constant criticism and interference. She visited only when invited, helped with Lucy, but never imposed herself. Emma, in turn, began inviting her more, sharing small updates, offering advice. Trust was still fragile, but respect grew.
David watched, relieved, as the two most important women in his life finally found a way to coexist.
Emma learned that she had to defend her boundaries, even when it hurt. Otherwise she would be trampled and lose herself. Once those lines were drawn, healthy, equal relationships could blossom.
The dresser incident taught her never to stay silent when something was wrong, never to swallow her anger. She had to speak up, demand respect, and insist on her spaceonly then could she protect herself, her child, and her marriage.
