Clear out a room, my parents will be living there now, my husband announced, as if the decision had already been signed.
Emily was hunched over her laptop when someone knocked on the office door. James slipped a glance inside, his eyes scanning the familiar space with a strangely fresh perspective.
May I come in? he asked, already stepping across the threshold.
She nodded without breaking eye contact with the screen. The house, a tidy threebedroom semi inherited from Aunt Margaret five years earlier, was bright and airy. Emily had turned one of the rooms into the perfect home officeorder and silence reigned there.
Listen, James began, perching on the edge of the sofa, my parents are griping again about the citys roar.
Emily finally turned to him. After a decade of marriage she could read his tone like a wellworn novel. This time his voice carried a hint of uncertainty.
My mum says she cant sleep because of the noise, James continued. And Dad keeps complaining hes fed up with all the running around. On top of that, the rent is climbing again.
I see, Emily replied shortly, drifting back to her work.
But the parents complaints didnt stop. Every evening James found a fresh excuse to bring them upsometimes the smog, sometimes noisy neighbours upstairs, sometimes the buildings steep stairs.
They dream of peace, you know? he said one night over dinner. A proper home, not just a flat in the city.
Emily chewed slowly, puzzled. James was never this chatty; his sudden focus on his parents felt odd.
So what are you suggesting? she asked cautiously.
Nothing particular, he shrugged. Just thinking about them.
A week later Emily noticed James popping into her office more often. At first he claimed to be looking for documents; soon he was there simply because he was there. Hed linger by the wall, as if measuring the room with his eyes.
Nice room, he remarked one evening. Bright, spacious.
Emily looked up. There was something evaluative in his tone now.
Yes, I like working here, she said.
You know, James said, moving to the window, maybe you could shift your office to the bedroom? You could set up a desk there too.
A knot tightened in Emilys stomach. She set her pen down and stared at him.
Why should I move? Its comfortable here.
I dont know, he muttered. Just thought about it.
But the idea kept circling. Emily began to notice James mentally rearranging the furniture, pausing at the doorframe as if he already saw the house differently.
Listen, he said a few days later, isnt it time to free up your office? Just in case.
The suggestion sounded like a decision already made. Emilys brow rose.
Why should I free up the room? she asked, sharper than intended.
Just thinking, James hesitated. I thought we might need a spare room for guests.
That was it. All the casual remarks about his parents, all the offhand comments about the officethey were pieces of one plan, a plan that didnt seem to involve her opinion.
James, she said slowly, be straight with me. Whats happening?
He turned away toward the window, avoiding her gaze. The silence stretched. Emily realised something had been decided without her.
James, she repeated firmly, whats going on?
He finally faced her, his cheeks flushing with embarrassment, then a flash of resolve sparked in his eyes.
My parents are really tired of the citys bustle, he began cautiously. They need peace, you know?
Emilys heart thudded. She rose from the desk, anxiety bubbling after weeks of quiet.
And what do you propose? she asked, already guessing.
Were one family, James said, as if that settled everything. We have an extra room.
Extra. Her office, her sanctuary, now an extra room. Emilys fists clenched.
This isnt an extra room, she said slowly. Its my office.
Yes, but you could work in the bedroom, James shrugged. My parents dont have anywhere else to go.
The line sounded rehearsed. Emily recognised this conversationjust not with her.
James, this is my house, she said sharply. I never agreed to your parents moving in.
But you dont mind, do you? he countered, irritation seeping in. Were family, right?
Family again. As if belonging to a family automatically stripped her of a voice. Emily stepped toward the window, trying to stay calm.
And what if I do mind? she asked without turning.
Dont be selfish, James snapped. Its about the elderly.
Selfish. For not surrendering her workspace. For insisting her say mattered. Emily faced him.
Selfish? she repeated. For wanting my opinion considered?
Come on, James waved a hand. Its a family duty. We cant abandon them.
Family duty. Another polished excuse to shut her down. But Emily was done staying quiet.
What about my duty to myself? she asked.
Stop dramatising, he brushed off. Its not a big deal, just move the computer elsewhere.
Not a big deal. Years of building the perfect office dismissed as trivial. Emily finally saw James as if for the first time.
When did you decide everything? she whispered.
I didnt decide anything, James began to defend himself. Just mulling over options.
Youre lying, she said. Youve already spoken to your parents, havent you?
The silence spoke louder than words. Emily sank back into her chair, trying to process the betrayal.
So you consulted everyone except me, she stated.
Stop it, James exploded. What difference does it make who talked to whom?
What difference. Her consent, her homewhat difference? Emily realised James was acting like the sole owner, ignoring her rights.
The next morning James entered the kitchen looking like a man who had made a final call. Emily sat at the table with a mug of tea, waiting for yesterdays unresolved drama to continue.
Listen, he began without preamble, my parents have finally decided to move in.
Emily looked up. There was no room for discussion in his tone.
Clear out a room, now my parents will live there, he added, as if issuing an order.
For Emily, that was the moment of revelation. They hadnt even asked her. James didnt just fail to askhe excluded her entirely.
Her mug trembled. Everything swirled as she grasped the scale of the betrayal. James waited for a reaction as if commanding a servant.
Are you serious? she said slowly. You just decided for me? I told you yesterday Im against it!
Calm down, he waved off. Its logical. Where else can they live?
Emily set the mug down and stood, her hands shaking with a mix of anger and relief.
James, youve betrayed me, she said bluntly. Youve put your parents needs above our marriage.
Dont dramatise, he muttered. Its family.
And what am I, a stranger? Emilys voice sharpened. Youve crossed my boundaries and ignored my voice in my own home!
James turned away, clearly unprepared for such a reaction. All these years shed gone along with his decisions. Now something had cracked.
You treat me like staff, she continued. You expect me to endure in silence.
Stop the hysteria, he snapped, irritated. Nothing serious is happening.
Nothing serious. Her opinion dismissed, her space seizednothing serious? Emily stepped closer.
I refuse to give up my room, she declared firmly. And I wont let your parents move in without an invitation.
How dare you? James exploded. Theyre my parents!
And this is my house! Emily shouted. I wont live with a man who sees me as nothing!
James backed away, finally seeing the fire in her eyes.
You dont understand, he said, bewildered. My parents are counting on us.
And you dont understand me, Emily cut in. Ten years and you still treat me like a toy.
She crossed the kitchen, gathering the words shed held back for years.
You know what, James? she said, turning to him. Get out of my house.
What? he was taken aback. What are you talking about?
Im no longer willing to live with a man who ignores me, Emily said clearly.
James opened his mouth but found no words. He hadnt expected this turn.
This is our house, he mumbled.
Legally, the house is mine, Emily reminded him coolly. And I have every right to ask you to leave.
James stood, stunned, as the reality of his actions finally sank in.
Ira, lets talk calmly, he tried. We can reach an agreement.
Too late, she interrupted. The agreement should have been made before you decided.
James tried to protest, but the stubborn set in Emilys eyes left him speechless. She was no longer the compliant wife who made sacrifices for years.
Pack your things, she said calmly.
A week later Emily sat in her office, the silence she loved now truly hers. The house felt larger without the unwanted guests. The order she prized was finally restored.
She felt no regretjust a quiet satisfaction that she had defended her boundaries.
The phone rang. It was Jamess number. Emily declined the call and turned back to her work. Love and family cant survive without respect, and no family obligation gives anyone the right to trample over the person standing right next to them.
She finally understood that.
