So, guess what happened to Emily and James? You know how theyd been working their socks off for four years building this gorgeous two-story countryside house? Every spare moment went into it, and finallyafter all that timethey moved in with their three kids, ready for their happily-ever-after.
Everything was going great until Jamess mum, Margaret, decided to make her feelings known. Shed always thought the whole house thing was a ridiculous waste of money, but once the family settled in, relatives started dropping by to admire the place. Everyone had visited within two monthsexcept Margaret.
Of course, word got back to her.
«James and Emilys house is like something out of a fairy tale!» gushed Margarets own sister. «Have you seen it?»
«Not yet, been busy,» Margaret replied, pretending she couldnt care less.
That evening, curiosity got the better of her. She texted James, demanding photos.
«Sophie wont stop raving about your house,» she said with a smug little smirk. «I want to see what you blew all that money on.»
James, not thinking much of it, sent a few pictures. The second she saw them, Margaret was fuming.
«Why hasnt anyone invited me over? The whole familys been, but not me»
«Maybe because you kept calling it a waste of time?» James shot back.
«Oh, dont drag up the past!» she snapped. «Let bygones be bygones.»
«Yeah? Well, those who forget the past are doomed to repeat it,» James muttered.
Margaret quickly changed the subject. «Just text me the address. Im coming over.»
And just like that, the next day, she turned up unannounced. Emily was stunnedJames hadnt warned her.
«James, why didnt you tell me?» she whispered.
«Didnt think shed actually come this soon,» he admitted, just as surprised.
Margaret brought gifts for the grandkidsthree chocolate bars from the corner shop. Emily noticed, but wasnt shocked. Margaret had never been the doting grandma type.
She inspected the house inside and out, her face pure disapproval. James couldnt figure out what exactly bothered heruntil after a couple glasses of champagne at dinner.
«Why should I be stuck in some tiny flat while your wife lives like a queen in this palace?» she demanded.
«Whats wrong with your flat? We sold your old one-bed, put money in, and got you a two-bed! And I send you £200 every month. How exactly are you stuck?» James fired back.
«You think Im not grateful? I am! But I want a house too!»
«Mum, this was our dream. Whats it got to do with you?»
«‘Whats it got to do with me’? I raised you! Dont I deserve nice things? Why wasnt I invited?»
Emily cut in, tense: «James, shes just jealous. All she cares about is being in control.»
James knew she was right but still felt guilty. «Mum, youve got a lovely flat. This house is for us.»
«‘Lovely flat’? Fine, let your wife live thereIll take this place!»
Margarets tantrum was beyond ridiculous. Emily had had enough.
«See how she repays us? Constant demands, insults, undermining me at every turn»
Margaret just scoffed, rolled her eyes, and reached for more champagne.
James took her outside to talk.
«Mum, I cant deal with this anymore. Youre not exactly Grandmother of the Year, and the kids avoid you. Theres no way youre moving in.»
«So Im the villain now? Or maybe you just cant stand up to your wife?»
«Listen. This house is our happiness. I wont let you wreck it.»
«Me wreck it? Oh, thats your wife talking! No one cares about my feelings!» She glared, lip trembling, then called a taxi.
Half an hour later, she stormed out without a goodbye.
Things stayed frosty between them. A month later, Margaret called James in a rageshed decided to sell her flat and buy a house.
Turned out, the flat was in Jamess name.
«You cheated me! Sold the old place, put this one in your nameleft me with nothing!»
«Maybe because I put in most of the money? Did I have that right or not?»
«Youve taken everything!» she shrieked, then hung up.
After that? Radio silence. James tried reaching out, but she ignored him.
Wild, right? Some people just cant stand seeing others happy.
