That’s your mother so its your responsibility! he says, but Emily has had enough. She buttons her sons coat, clenching her teeth to hold back anger. Today she still faces the ordeal she dreads most: a visit to her motherinlaw. From the start, their relationship has been a constant battle.
Margaret Clarke has never accepted Emily as her sons wife. Whatever Emily does, Margaret spots a fault, a criticism to hurl her way.
Again, Emily? James sighs, watching her stern face. You dont want to go, do you?
Emily lets out a bitter laugh.
Are you really asking me that, James? You know exactly why I dont want to go!
Her eyes flare with fury.
Shell nag, belittle me, tell me Im not raising our son right! Shell ignore the fact that I work, run the house, cook, clean and pay every bill! Im the one keeping this family together!
James shrugs. But youre at home all day
Emilys gaze darkens.
Oh really? You think I just sit around doing nothing? Or that money falls from the sky?
I work too, he growls. Its not my fault I dont get paid more.
The truth is that Emilys earnings as a freelance designer are three times Jamess. She is the familys breadwinner.
Cant you go alone? she asks, hoping for a way out.
Its Mothers Day, Emily. You cant just ignore my mother! James snaps.
She sighs, continues dressing her son, and two hours later they arrive at Margarets house.
In the sitting room, Jamess niece, Poppy, is already perched on the sofa. Emily has long noticed that Margaret treats Poppy like royalty, almost ignoring her own grandson. It isnt a surprise Poppy lost her parents five years ago, and Margaret raised her as her own.
Around them, Margarets sisters laugh loudly, clinking glasses of wine.
Then, out of nowhere, Margaret drops a bomb.
Ive made a decision, she announces solemnly. I will leave my flat to Poppy. You, James, already have a home.
James doesnt even flinch; he merely nods.
A few days later the paperwork is done. The flat now belongs to Poppy, on the condition she only moves in after Margaret passes away.
But fate has other plans.
A sudden stroke leaves Margaret paralysed, unable to care for herself.
We have to move in with Mom, James declares firmly. She cant be left alone.
A cold wave runs through Emily. She knows what that means.
She will have to feed, dress, bathe her, all while working and looking after their son.
She says nothing.
Weeks slip by, and Emily reaches her limit.
One evening she finally snaps.
James, the flat belongs to Poppy. Shouldnt she be looking after Mom?
Poppy is at university, James. She has a boyfriend. You expect her to bring him here?
Emily laughs, a dry, icy chuckle.
James, I cant take this anymore!
He crosses his arms.
Oh, I see. Youre already exhausted?
Her hands shake with rage.
Im suffocating! Everything rests on me! YOU, your mother, our child, my job I CANT KEEP THIS UP!
But you work from home, he mutters, smug.
Emilys stare cuts sharper than shattered glass.
And then what? You think I dont work at all?
Her heart pounds wildly.
You know what? From now on its YOUR job to look after your mother!
Its my mother, but shes also your motherinlaw! Thats your role! You want me to wash her, perhaps?!
A deathly silence hangs.
Then Emily says calmly, voice icy:
I owe you nothing.
James snorts.
Then hire a carer then!
Oh? Youll pay for her?
Why should I foot the bill?!
Then there wont be a carer.
He crosses his arms.
You can use Moms pension. Or your salary?
Jamess features harden.
So why do I even have a wife?
That is the trigger.
Something inside Emily finally shatters.
Everything becomes blindingly clear.
James has been using her for years.
And Poppy? She never even visited her grandmother.
That night Emily doesnt sleep.
In the morning she knows what to do.
As soon as James leaves the house, she packs her bags, grabs her son, and walks out.
She sends a single message and blocks his number:
I wont carry this burden alone any longer.
That same evening James storms in.
Either you come back, or Ill file for divorce!
Emily smiles softly.
Go ahead. I was about to.
For the first time James looks lost.
But she isnt waiting for apologies. Her decision is made.
A month later their divorce is final. James never apologises.
And Emily?
She never regrets leaving.
Six months later Emily hears the news.
Margaret has died.
And Poppy?
She throws James out without a flicker of remorse.
Only then does he realise.
He has lost everything.
