«You took my son from me, and Ill take everything from you,» hissed the mother-in-law.
«Emily, why are you up so early?» remarked Margaret, peering out from her bedroom. «Its half past six.»
«I have an early meeting today,» Emily replied, hastily shoving papers into her bag. «An unexpected team briefing.»
Margaret shuffled into the kitchen in her slippers, clattering dishes loudly. Emily tried to slip past, but there was no escaping.
«What about breakfast? Are you letting my boy go to work hungry?»
«James is a grown manhe can make his own breakfast,» Emily snapped, pulling on her coat and searching for her keys.
«Oh, is that so?» Margaret turned sharply toward her. «In my day, wives knew their duties. They looked after their husbands properly.»
Emily took a deep breath. This same conversation had repeated every morning since Margaret moved in six months ago after her illness. She still hadnt adjusted to the constant scrutiny.
«Margaret, James and I decide who cooks what. We have an equal partnership.»
«Partnership!» scoffed Margaret. «My boy never went hungry before. Now look at himskin and bones.»
Emily bit back the urge to point out that James was thirty, hardly a boy. Arguing with Margaret was like fighting the wind.
«Im running late. James is still asleepwake him at eight, please.»
«Oh, Ill wake him, dont you worry. I know my responsibilitiesunlike some.»
At work, Emily struggled to focus. Her colleague, Lucy, noticed her distraction by lunch.
«Whats wrong? You look exhausted,» Lucy said, sliding into the chair opposite with her coffee.
«Same old with my mother-in-law. Every day, its something. My cooking, my cleaning, even how I speak to James.»
«And he doesnt defend you?»
Emily gave a bitter laugh.
«Hardly. To him, shes a saint. Says shes been ill, we should be patient.»
«Right. How much longer is she staying?»
«Who knows? The doctors say shes fine now, but James wont hear of her leaving. ‘What if something happens?'»
Lucy shook her head sympathetically.
«God, I cant stand mine, and we dont even live together.»
That evening, Emily returned home tired and starving. The flat smelled of roast beef and potatoes. James sat on the sofa with a plate in hand, watching television.
«Hey, love,» he said without looking up. «How was work?»
«Fine. Whats for dinner?»
«Mum made roast. Theres some left in the kitchen.»
Emily walked in to find Margaret washing dishes.
«Hello, Margaret.»
«Evening,» came the curt reply, back still turned.
Emily lifted the lid on the pot. A single slice of beef and a spoonful of potatoes remained.
«This is all?»
«Not enough?» Margaret finally faced her. «I thought you were dietingalways complaining about your jeans being tight.»
«I wasnt complainingjust mentioning they fit snugly.»
«Exactly. Im looking out for you.»
Emily took the plate into the lounge. James was engrossed in a nature documentary.
«James, can we talk?»
«Sure. What about?»
«Go look at what your mother left me for dinner.»
With a sigh, James trudged to the kitchen and returned.
«So? Its a normal portion.»
«Normal for a sparrow, maybe. Ive been working all day, and this is all I get?»
«Mum!» he called out. «Whys there so little left?»
«Darling, I thought Emily wasnt very hungry. Shes always talking about losing weight.»
«There, see?» James turned back to Emily. «Mum was being considerate.»
Emily felt something boil inside her.
«James, she does this every night. I get scraps.»
«Dont be ridiculous. Mums a kind woman.»
«Kind to you. To me, she treats me like hired help who isnt good enough.»
A loud sob came from the kitchen. James jumped up.
«Now youve upset her! Shes been ill!»
«And what am I, invincible?»
But he was already gone, soothing Margaret. Emily sat alone with her half-eaten meal.
Later, James returned, sheepish.
«Sorry, love. Mums just sensitive. Says she feels like a burden.»
«Good. She should.»
«Emily!»
«What? Were newlywedswe should be living our lives, not under her microscope!»
«Shes not spying, she cares.»
«Cares?» Emily laughed bitterly. «She critiques everythinghow I wash clothes, cook, even how I talk to you!»
James sat beside her.
«Just be patient a bit longer. Shell adjust. Then well find her a nice flat nearby.»
«When?»
«I dont know. But itll happen, I promise.»
The next day, Emily came home early, groceries in hand, determined to cook dinner herself.
But as she opened the door, Margarets voice carried from the kitchen.
«Yes, darling, I understand your wife. Young, inexperienced. But my patience isnt endless.»
Emily froze. James murmured something inaudible.
«Good girl? Please. Look how thin youve gotten. And that tempernever happy, always complaining.»
«Shes just stressed from work.»
«Work, work! What about home? Family? Her priorities are all wrong. Maybe you rushed into this marriage.»
A chill ran down Emilys spine. She forced calmness as she entered.
«Hello.»
«Oh, Emily, we didnt hear you!» Margaret chirped, not an ounce of guilt. «How was work?»
«Fine. I thought Id cook tonight.»
«No need, Ive made beef stewyour favorite,» she said, smiling at James.
«Thanks, Mum. Emily, that alright?»
«Perfect,» Emily lied.
Dinner was strained. James talked about work, Margaret fawned, and Emily ate in silence, the stew tasting like ash.
«Emily, any weekend plans?» Margaret asked sweetly.
«Not really. Why?»
«I need James to take me to the clinic. Tests.»
«Of course, Mum. No problem.»
«Good. I was worried Emily might have other plans for you.»
The barely hidden smirk in Margarets voice made Emily look up. Triumph glittered in her eyes.
After dinner, Emily feigned a headache and retreated to bed, thoughts racing. Margaret had declared war, and James was blind to it.
He joined her later, sitting on the edge of the bed.
«Headache better?»
«A bit.»
«Em Mums been acting odd. Says she feels unwelcome, then insists she wont leave.»
«What exactly is she saying?»
«All sorts. Today she hinted our marriage might be a mistake.»
«And you said?»
«That we love each other and can handle anything.»
«James, your mother hates me. Shes trying to break us up.»
«Dont be daft. Shes just protective.»
«She wants me gone.»
«Emily, youre exaggerating. Mum says things she doesnt mean.»
«Then watch her tomorrow. Really watch.»
The next evening, James worked from home. Emily knew something had happened the moment she saw his face.
«Well?»
He sighed.
«You were right. Mums not herself.»
«What did she do?»
«Spent the whole day talking about you. How messy you are, how disrespectful. Then outright said I shouldnt have married you.»
«And you said?»
«That I love you and wont let anyone interfere.»
«And she?»
A pause.
«She cried. Said I chose my wife over my own mother.»
«Classic guilt-tripping.»
«Emily, shes unwell. The surgery, her nerves»
«How long will you excuse her? Shes trying to sabotage us!»
«Fine, Ill talk to her. Make it clear shes wrong.»
The next morning, raised voices woke Emily. James and Margaret were arguing.
«Son, you dont see what shes really like!»
«Mum, stop! Emilys my wifeyou will respect her.»
«Respect? For stealing my boy?»
Emily stepped into the kitchen. Margarets face was flushed with rage. James looked defeated.
«You took my son from me, and Ill take everything from you,» Margaret spat.
«Jesus, Mum!»
«Take what?» Emily asked coldly.
«Youll see. Think I dont know how to handle girls like you? Ive lived long enough to know every womans weakness.»
«Are you threatening me?»
«Warning you. My son lives as I say. Cross me, and youll regret it.»
«Christ, Mum!» James stood. «How can you talk to Emily like that?»
«How does she talk to me? Think I dont see her sneers? Hear her whining about me?»
Emily stepped forward.
«Margaret, I didnt steal anyone. James chose me. If you dont like it, youre free to leave.»
«Oh-ho! Throwing out a sick woman from her sons home!»
«No ones throwing you out,» James said quietly. «But maybe its time you moved back to your place.»
Margarets face twisted as if struck.
«So thats it. You choose her.»
«I chose my wife when I married her. I love you as my mother.»
«Fine. Lets see how much you love her when she walks out.»
With that, Margaret stormed off, slamming the door.
James sank into a chair, rubbing his temples.
«Emily, Im sorry. I never thought shed go this far.»
«James, she means it. I saw it in her eyesshell destroy us if she can.»
«What can she even do? Its just words.»
Emily hugged herself.
«I dont know. But she wont stop.»
James pulled her close.
«She wont win. I wont let her.»
But Emily knewthis was only the beginning. Margaret had drawn her battle lines, and retreat wasnt an option.
