The air in the upscale London restaurant was thick with tension as Eleanor (29F) adjusted her dress, smoothing the fabric nervously. She had married William (31M) four years ago, and while his familys closeness had once seemed endearing, his mothers suffocating presence had long since worn thin.
From the beginning, Margaret had made it painfully clear she resented sharing “her son.” Eleanor had bitten her tongue through countless barbed remarks”Boys always forget their mothers when a pretty face comes along,” or “Remember who held him first, darling.” Shed played the dutiful daughter-in-law, swallowing her pride for the sake of peace.
Last Saturday was Williams birthday, and his family had booked a table at The Savoy. Eleanor had chosen her outfit carefully, wrapped a gift she knew hed love, and arrived determined to make the evening special. But the moment she walked in, Margaret had already claimed the seat beside him. Eleanor forced a smile and took the chair on his other sideuntil Margaret abruptly stood, finger jabbing in her direction.
“Shes like a limpet, isnt she?” Margaret crowed, voice dripping with mockery. “Give the poor man a night off from being smothered!” Then, with a saccharine smile, she added, “Be a dear and shuffle down, love. Let his mum have a proper birthday cuddle.”
The table erupted in laughterWilliam included.
Heat flooded Eleanors cheeks as humiliation coiled tight in her chest. Clenching her fists under the table, she moved silently, while Margaret draped herself over William like a possessive girlfriend.
Minutes ticked by, the clink of cutlery and chatter grating against Eleanors frayed nerves. Suddenly, she couldnt bear it another second. She stood, grabbed her handbag, and said coolly, “I think Ill leave you to it. Happy birthday, William.”
The cold night air outside was a relief. But by morning, her phone buzzed with Williams furious textsaccusing her of causing a scene, humiliating him, and “taking a bit of banter too seriously.” Margarets follow-up was worse: *”Sorry youre a bit delicate, pet. Were just having a laugh.”*
Now, Williams silence was a wall between them, broken only if she apologised. But the knot in Eleanors stomach refused to loosen. Had she really overreacted? Or had they finally crossed a line she couldnt ignore?
