Gloria keeps praising your house. Id love to see what youve wasted so much money on, said Margaret Thompson with a smug smile.
Four long years, Olivia and Victor had poured their hearts into building a two-storey country home. Every spare moment went into renovations, and at last, the family had finally moved in.
With their three children, Olivia and Victor settled into their new house, eager for a happy family life. Everything would have been perfectif not for Victors mother, Margaret, who had always dismissed the build as a foolish waste of money.
The moment they moved, relatives lined up to visit. Everyone except Margaret had been inside within two months. Friends and family couldnt stop admiring the place, and of course, word reached her.
«Victor and Olivias house is like something out of a fairy tale!» gushed Margarets own sister. «Have you seen it?»
«Not yet, too busy,» Margaret replied airily.
That same evening, unable to resist, she messaged her son, demanding photos.
«Gloria keeps raving about your house. I want to see what youve blown all that money on,» she said, her tone dripping with superiority.
Without hesitation, Victor sent a few pictures. The moment she saw them, Margarets disapproval was instant.
«How come no ones invited me? The whole familys been overexcept me.»
«Maybe because you called it a waste of time?» Victor reminded her.
«Oh, must you bring that up? Let bygones be bygones,» she snapped with a forced smile.
«And forgetters should be doubly blind,» Victor countered flatly.
Eager to move on, Margaret steered the conversation back to the house.
«Text me the address. Im coming over,» she demanded.
Victor obliged, and the very next day, she arrived unannounced. Olivia, who hadnt been told, was stunned.
«Victor, why didnt you warn me?» she asked sharply.
«Didnt think shed show up so fast,» he admitted, equally surprised.
Margaret had brought gifts for the grandchildrenthree chocolate bars picked up on the way. Olivia noticed but wasnt shocked. Margaret had never been overly fond of the children anyway.
She scrutinised every inch of the house, her expression souring. Victor couldnt pinpoint what bothered heruntil after two glasses of champagne at dinner.
«Why should I live like a pauper in a flat while she plays queen in this mansion?» Margaret demanded.
«Whats wrong with your flat? We sold your old one-bed and upgraded you to a two-bed. Plus, I send you £150 a month. How exactly are you suffering?» Victor shot back.
«You think Im ungrateful? Fine, I am! But I deserve a house too!»
«Mum, we built this for our family. Whats it got to do with you?»
«Nothing to do with me? I raised you! Dont I deserve this luxury? Why wasnt I invited?»
Olivia, overhearing, sighed. «Victor, shes just jealous. She only cares about being in control.»
Victor knew she was right but still felt guilty.
«Mum, this is our home. Youve got a lovely flat»
«Lovely? Let your wife live there then! Ill rule here!» Margaret sneered.
Olivias patience snapped. «See how she repays us? Demands, insults, belittles me»
Margaret snorted, rolling her eyes as she reached for more champagne.
Victor pulled her aside onto the terrace.
«Mum, your constant criticism is exhausting. The kids avoid you. Wed never live together, let alone hand you this house.»
«Bad grandmother, am I? Or just a son who cant stand up to his wife?» she hissed.
«This house is our happiness. I wont let you ruin it.»
«Ruin it? Thats her talking, isnt it? No one cares about my feelings! Everyones blameless except me!» Margaret glared before calling a taxi.
Half an hour later, she stormed out without a word.
Their relationship never recovered. Margaret refused to forgive Victor for prioritising his family.
A month later, she called him in a rage. Shed decided to sell her flat and buy a houseonly to discover Victor owned it.
«You cheated me! Sold the old one and put this in your name!» she shrieked.
«Maybe because I paid most of it? Was that wrong?»
«Youve taken everything!» she spat before hanging up.
She ignored all his calls after that. Years passed, and the house stood unchanged, a sanctuary for Olivia, Victor, and their children. Margaret never set foot in it again, though she moved into a modest bungalow on the edge of town, muttering to neighbours about betrayal. Victor stopped trying to reach her, his grief quiet but deep. On quiet evenings, when the sun dipped below the trees and laughter echoed through the rooms hed built with love, hed pausejust for a momentthen turn back toward the warmth inside.
