«Gwen can’t stop praising your houseId like to see where youve squandered all that money,» Lavinia remarked with a haughty smirk.
For four long years, Oliver and Victoria toiled over the construction of their two-story countryside home. Every spare moment was spent on renovations, and at last, the familys long-awaited move finally came to pass. Along with their three children, they settled into their new abode, hopeful for the happy family life that lay ahead. All would have been well, had Olivers mother not suddenly taken an interestthe same woman who had once dismissed the entire venture as foolish extravagance.
No sooner had the family moved in than relatives began arriving to admire the house. Within two months, nearly everyone had paid a visitexcept for Olivers mother, Lavinia. Friends and kin alike marveled at the place, and of course, word of its splendor eventually reached her.
«Oliver and Victorias home is like something out of a fairy tale!» gushed Lavinias own sister. «Have you seen it?»
«Not yet,» Lavinia replied with feigned indifference. «Ive been rather busy.»
That same evening, unable to resist any longer, she texted her son, demanding photographs.
«Gwen keeps raving about your house. I want to see what youve spent a fortune on,» she said, that same superior smile twisting her lips. Oblivious to her tone, Oliver sent a few snapshots. The moment she saw them, her displeasure was plain.
«How curious that no one has invited me. The whole familys been roundexcept for me.»
«Perhaps because you insisted it was all a waste of time and money?» Oliver reminded her.
«Oh, must you dredge that up? Let bygones be bygones,» she snapped, forcing a brittle laugh.
«And those who forget the past are doomed to repeat it,» Oliver countered sternly.
Eager to shift focus, Lavinia circled back to the house.
«Send me the address,» she demanded. «Ill stop by.»
Oliver obliged, and the very next day, Lavinia arrived unannounced. Victoria, who had no idea her mother-in-law had invited herself, was stunned.
«Oliver, why didnt you tell me?» she asked, eyes wide with disbelief.
«Didnt think shed come so soon,» he admitted, equally surprised by his mothers haste.
Lavinia had brought gifts for the grandchildrenthree bars of chocolate picked up hastily at a shop along the way. Victoria noticed but wasnt shocked; Lavinia had never shown much interest in the children.
With a critical eye, Lavinia inspected the house inside and out. Her face betrayed her dissatisfaction, though Oliver couldnt pinpoint the causeuntil later, over champagne at the dinner table.
«Why must I live like a pauper in a flat while this fine lady reigns in a grand house like a queen?» she demanded, stunning Oliver into silence.
«Whats wrong with the flat? We sold your old one-bedroom, added funds, and bought you a two-bedroom. Not to mention the five hundred pounds I send you monthly. How exactly are you suffering?»
«Do you think Im ungrateful? Im not! But I want a house too!»
«Mother, we built this home for our family. Whats that got to do with you?»
«How dare you ask that? Did I not bear and raise you? Dont I deserve luxury too? Why wasnt I invited?»
Victoria, overhearing, whispered anxiously, «Oliver, shes envious. She cant stand our happiness.»
Oliver sighed, caught between guilt and reason. «You have a lovely flat, Mother. This house is for us.»
«If its so lovely, let your wife live there. Ill take this place!» Lavinia snapped.
Her behavior was beyond the pale. Victorias irritation flared.
«See how she repays our kindness? Demands, insults, belittles me»
Lavinia snorted, rolled her eyes, and reached for more champagne.
Oliver led her to the terrace for a firm talk.
«Mother, your constant disapproval is exhausting. Youre not a doting grandmother, and your temper makes you unbearable. The children avoid you. Living together is out of the question.»
«So Im a terrible grandmother? Or perhaps you cant control your wife?»
«Listen carefully. This house symbolizes our familys happiness. I wont let you ruin it.»
«Ruin it? Thats her talking, isnt it? My feelings mean nothing! Everyones blameless except me!» With a venomous glare, she called a cab and left without a word.
From then on, their relationship soured. Lavinia refused to forgive Oliver for prioritizing his family.
A month later, she called in a rage. She had decided to sell her flat and buy a houseonly to discover Oliver was the legal owner.
«You cheated me! Sold my old flat and put this one in your name!»
«Perhaps because I paid the difference for the two-bedroom? Was that wrong?»
«Greedy, the lot of you!» she shrieked before slamming the phone down.
She ignored all further attempts at contact, leaving Oliver to wonder if bridges could ever be mended.
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