Either your mum moves out, or we split, I said, giving Emma the final warning after her latest drama.
How long are we waiting? Well be late! Emma glanced at her watch, shifting from foot to foot in the hallway.
Im ready, just need a sec to fix my tie, called Andrew from the bedroom. Wed be out the door already if you hadnt changed your outfit three times.
Dont even start! Emma snapped, annoyed. I want to look decent at your work party, not like a drab mouse.
Andrew popped his head into the doorway, tugging at the knot of his tie. At fortyfive he still kept a fit frame, though a streak of silver was showing at his temples.
You always look sharp, he said more softly. Especially when youre not stressing.
Before Emma could reply, Susan Clarke, Emmas mother, wandered in from the kitchen, a steaming mug of tea in her hand.
Where are you two all dressed up for? she asked, eyeing them with a curious stare.
Andrews got a corporate gala, Mum. I mentioned it this morning, Emma replied, adjusting her earrings.
Oh right, Id forgotten, Susan sipped her tea. And why so late? Its already nine.
That’s why were in a rush, Andrew tried to stay calm, even though he felt his blood boiling. Emma, shall we grab a cab? Or am I driving?
A cab, please. I want you to be able to relax too, Emma said, pulling out her phone.
Smart move, Susan chimed in. Men always want a drink, but when it comes to responsibility they hide in the bushes.
Andrew clenched his teeth, counting to ten. Every comment from the motherinlaw felt like a accusation, even when she was just talking about the weather.
Mum, please, Emma whispered, casting an apologetic glance at Andrew.
Alright, Im done, Susan said, retreating back to the kitchen but leaving the door ajar to eavesdrop.
The cab should be here in five minutes, Emma murmured, slipping her phone into her evening bag.
Got it, Andrew took his jacket. Did you grab the keys?
Yes, Ive got everything.
Susan reappeared from the kitchen.
When will you be back? Should I lock the door for the night?
No need, Mum. We have a spare set.
What if you lose them? Or have one too many drinks? she asked skeptically.
We wont lose them, Andrew snapped. I know my limits.
Everyone says that, then
The doorbell rang just as the argument was heating up. The cab pulled up, and Andrew exhaled in relief. Another night without Susans running commentary.
Dont stay out too late! Susan shouted after them.
In the cab, Emma squeezed Andrews hand.
Sorry about my mum. She just worries.
Yeah, I get that, Andrew replied, watching the dark street lights flicker past. Sometimes he imagined just blending in with the rush, free from the feeling that every step was being judged.
Three months earlier Susan had moved in after Emmas dad passed away. It was supposed to be temporary, just until she got used to life without him. But what started as a stopgap turned into a permanent arrangement, and their threebedroom flat felt more like a cramped cage to Andrew.
The corporate event was held at a swanky restaurant in central London, with elegant décor, live jazz, and colleagues in their finest. Andrew gradually loosened up, chatting with coworkers and their partners. Emma dazzled in a dark navy dress, turning heads everywhere.
Your wife is brilliant, said Victor Sinclair, the company director, as they lingered at the bar. A true lady.
Thanks, Andrew replied proudly, watching Emma animatedly converse with Victors wife. Im lucky.
How long have you two been married? Victor asked.
Come April well hit fifteen years.
Impressive, Victor nodded. Any kids?
Nope, Andrew shook his head. Things never clicked.
That was a sore spot. Theyd tried for years, endured countless tests and treatments, only to be told everything was fine and they just needed to wait. Eventually Emma decided they were happy just the two of them.
The evening went on. Andrew had a couple of glasses of wineno more, he always knew his limit, despite Susans protests. By eleven he was ready to head home.
Want to stay a bit longer? Emma suggested, eyes sparkling. We just started dancing.
Give me half an hour, then well go, Andrew agreed. Tomorrows a workday.
Emma grinned and pulled him onto the dance floor. They swayed to a slow tune, feeling like they were back in their twenties. Andrew held Emma close, inhaling the scent of her perfume, thinking perhaps things werent that bad after all.
They got back around midnight. The flat was still lit, though they hoped Susan was already asleep.
They finally showed up, Susans voice announced as they crossed the threshold. I was about to call the police.
Come on, Mum, it was just a typical work party, Emma sighed.
In my day decent folk didnt come home that late, Susan muttered, pursing her lips. And youve been smelling the alcohol, Andrew.
I only had two glasses, he replied, staying calm.
Everyone says that, Emma intervened. Lets talk tomorrow.
Of course, of course, Susan said dramatically. My opinion means nothing here.
Andrew slipped off to the bathroom, letting the hot water wash away the frustration that had built up over fifteen years of marriage. When he returned, Emma was already in bed.
Dont mind Mum, she whispered. Its been hard for her since Dad passed.
I get it, Andrew lay down beside her. But this has been going on for three months. Shes always there, always commenting.
Give her time, Emma stroked his arm. Shell adjust.
Andrew wanted to admit he was scaredscared of constant nitpicking, of having to account for every move, of losing any personal space. He kept quiet. Emma drifted off, and he faced a long workday ahead.
Morning began with the smell of fried fish, a scent Andrew has hated since childhood, and Susan knew exactly why. He trudged into the kitchen, wrinkling his nose.
Morning, Susan grumbled. Breakfast is almost ready.
Thanks, but Ill grab something at work, Andrew poured coffee, hurrying.
As always, Susan sighed theatrically. My cooking never quite measures up for a gentleman like you.
Its not that, he said, sipping. Im just in a rush.
Poppy will have breakfast at home, like a proper wife, Susan added, placing a hefty piece of fish on a plate. Unlike some who are always racing around like lunatics.
Andrew finished his coffee in silence and left the kitchen. In the hallway he found Emma halfasleep.
Leaving already? she asked, surprised.
Yeah, got a lot to do, he kissed her cheek. Your mum made fish again.
Oh, great, Emma rolled her eyes. Ill talk to her later.
Its fine, Andrew said wearily. It wont change anything.
The workday dragged on, his mind constantly pulled back to the flat. At lunch Emma called.
Hey, hows it going? her voice sounded tense.
Fine, working. Whats up?
Mum was going through my stuff in the wardrobe, saying she was tidying up. I told her you dont like people touching your things and she got upset.
Andrew, Im fed up, he snapped. Why does she think she can run our house?
Shes just trying to help, Emma defended. Shes always busy, needs something to do.
Let her mind her own business! Andrew raised his voice, then realized coworkers might hear. Ill call you back later.
He hung up and stared out the window, wondering if maybe Susan should move back to her own flat. Shed sold the place shed bought after her husband died, saying it held too many memories. Now there was no way back.
That evening Andrew stayed late at the office, avoiding the flat. When he finally got home, Emma met him with a guilty look.
Did something happen? he asked, slipping off his shoes.
Mum accidentally broke your model plane, Emma said quietly. The one you brought back from Germany.
Andrew froze. The rare Messerschmitt hed spent months restoring lay in pieces on the tablewings snapped, fuselage split.
Accidentally? he asked, feeling anger rise. She was vacuuming in my study and knocked it over. We agreed that room was offlimits!
She was trying to be nice, Emma whispered, eyes down. She knew youd be home late and wanted to tidy up.
Where is she? he demanded.
She went to the neighbours, said shed be back once youre calmer.
He stared at the shattered remains, the final straw.
This is it, he said softly. Either your mum moves out, or we get a divorce. Im serious, Emma.
She recoiled as if struck.
You cant be serious! Kick my own mother out?
Im not kicking her out. She can rent a flat nearby. Well help financially, visit, everything. But living under the same roof is unbearable.
What if I choose my mum? she asked, voice trembling.
Then well have to part ways, he replied, equally quiet. Fifteen years Ive been your number one, but the last three months I feel like a guest in my own home.
Tears rolled down Emmas cheeks.
Its unfair! Mums lonely, she needs support!
And I need my wife, my own space where I can unwind without another comment every minute, Andrew said, moving closer.
Just then the front door slammed openSusan strode in, having heard the raised voices from the study.
Oh, look who’s back, she started. Probably already said a hundred nasty things about me, huh? I was only trying to do whats best. Your precious toy was already gathering dust, no use for it.
Mum! Emma shouted. Not now, please.
When? Susan retorted. When will your husband finally listen to the truth? He
Enough, Andrew cut in, surprisingly calm. Susan, lets sit down and talk like adults.
Susan fell silent, surprised. They moved to the living room, taking seatsAndrew in an armchair, Emma and her mother on the sofa.
I understand how hard it must be for you, losing your husband after so many years together, Andrew began. But weve built our life over fifteen years. Now its under threat.
Because of me? Susan huffed.
Yes, Andrew answered directly. Your constant checking, the remarks, the intrusions. I feel like a stranger in my own house.
This is my house now too, Susan claimed stubbornly.
Thats exactly what I wanted to discuss, Andrew said, keeping his tone even. I think it would be better if you lived separately.
Youre evicting my daughters mother? Susan shouted, waving her arms. Thats absurd!
No one is being evicted, Andrew replied patiently. We can help you find a nearby flat, visit, support you financially.
And if I refuse? she asked, crossing her arms.
Then, Im afraid Emma and I cant keep living together, Andrew said, looking at his wife. Ive already told her.
Youre blackmailing us! Susan exclaimed. Emma, youre letting this happen?
Emma raised her tearstreaked face.
I dont know what to do, Mum. I love you both, but Andrews rightthese months have been rough for everyone.
So you want me to leave? Susan asked, hurt in her voice.
I want us all to be happy, Emma said softly. Right now, no one is.
Silence fell. Susan glanced between her daughter and soninlaw, as if seeing them for the first time.
I never thought itd get this bad, she finally said. I thought I was helping.
We appreciate your care, Andrew replied gently. But sometimes care becomes overbearing.
Susan lowered her head.
After my husband died, I was terrified of being alone, of the silence. I started meddling, trying to feel needed.
Emma wrapped an arm around her mother.
We love you, Mum, and youll always be part of our lives. But maybe Andrews rightmaybe its better if you have your own place, close but separate?
Susan stayed quiet for a long moment, then sighed.
You may be right. I didnt want to admit it, but Ive been taking too much space. Its hard to accept that Im no longer the centre of your world, dear.
Youll always be important to us, Andrew said. We just need to respect each others boundaries.
They talked for agesabout plans, futures, how to rebuild their relationship. For the first time in three months, Andrew felt heard. He began to see Susan not as an enemy, but as a lonely woman scared of being irrelevant.
The next day Emma found an ad for a onebedroom flat in the nextdoor block. They viewed it together, paid the deposit, and helped Susan move in a week later.
Are you still mad at me? Emma asked when they returned to their own flat after the move.
For what? Andrew chuckled. For the ultimatum?
Yeah, it was harsh.
Sometimes you have to be firm to protect what truly matters, he said, pulling her close. I didnt want to lose you, but I couldnt keep going like that.
You know, Emma mused, it might actually be for the best. Mum sounds almost happy now. She told me she signed up for a senior hobby club.
See? She just needed her own life, not to be glued to us.
They settled on the couch in the quiet of their flat, enjoying the calm. Emmas phone buzzeda picture from her mums new living room, bright with flowers and framed photos.
Looks like we finally got it right, she smiled.
Andrew nodded, feeling the tension of the past months lift. Sometimes you have to reach the edge to find a new path. Sometimes a bold ultimatum can end up bringing peace for everyone.
