*”Well, you were the ones who got upset…”*
Darling, Ive been thinking… Why do you need three whole rooms? One should be enough, really. Little Sophie still sleeps with you anyway.
At first, Emily didnt quite grasp what her mother was saying. She assumed it was another attempt to offload some “priceless” relica scuffed armchair or an old sideboard that had been cluttering up her house for years.
Well… Yes, we dont really use the other rooms right now, Emily replied cautiously.
Exactly! So Ive decided to rent them out. Ill find you some quiet, decent tenants… No point letting good space go to waste, is there? You understand, dont you? I let you stay there, and now Ive no idea how to make ends meet.
Emily froze. At first, she thought shed misheard, then a cold, crackling sensation spread inside her. Visions flashed through her mindstrangers in their kitchen, noise, chaos, unfamiliar faces. All of it, in a house with a three-month-old baby. Maybe it wouldnt be so bad, but it was a gamble. And Emily wasnt willing to risk her daughters safety.
Mum… What do you mean, tenants? I have a child here! I dont want random people traipsing through our home.
Oh, for heavens sake, you grew up in a shared house, and you turned out fine, her mother waved her off. Ive already been generous, not charging you extra while you save up. What am I supposed to do? Live off charity?
Emily clenched her teeth. She hadnt expected this betrayal from her own mother. Back in her own flat, her mother would never dream of renting out rooms. But here? No hesitation.
Still, Emily pushed her hurt aside. Right now, only one thing matteredher daughter.
Fine, if its that important to you… Well pay you for this month, Emily finally said. Then well figure something out.
She half-expected her mother to relentto say she couldnt take money from her own daughter, especially not now. But
Good. Ill charge you the family ratefive hundred pounds, her mother said breezily. Just give me fair warning if youre moving out. At least two weeks, so I can line up the next tenants. Youll need to show them around, of course. No gaps, no losses.
Fine, Emily hissed through clenched teeth before hanging up.
She opened her banking app and transferred the money immediately. As she pressed *Send*, she felt itlike a door slamming shut between them. Their relationship had just turned transactional.
…Margaret had always been like this. Emilys mother had always been a master of twisting situations to her advantage, but never before had it cut so deep.
When Emily was ten, she found out her godmother had sent lavish birthday and Christmas giftsa giant stuffed unicorn, a robotic dog, the latest dolls. Margaret took credit for them all, as if theyd come from her. She never added anything of her own.
At the time, Emily had been hurtbut only a little. She knew it was wrong, but she hadnt *felt* the full weight of it. Her godmother, however, had been furious. After that, she sent gifts through Emilys grandmother instead.
Another incident happened when Auntie Lucy and her daughter Lily came to visit. Strictly speaking, they hadnt planned to staythey were just passing through the city for paperwork and had already booked a hotel. But Margaret insisted.
Why waste money on some dingy place? Stay with me, theres plenty of room. I cant promise restaurant-quality meals, mind you, but Ill do my best.
Auntie Lucy resisted at first but eventually agreed. A conscientious woman, she hated being a burden, so she stocked the fridge to bursting on the first day.
Our treatgroceries for cooking, she said brightly. Well be out all day, queues and errands. And I want Lily to see the sights, take her to museums and landmarks.
They left early and returned late each night, causing no trouble. But on the third day, Margaret announced:
Lucy, Ive overestimated my energy… Maybe ring that hotel? You can stay there the rest of the week.
Auntie Lucy was furious. The hotel, of course, refused to take them back, forcing a frantic search for alternatives. Emily never saw her aunt or cousin again.
Back then, Emily believed her motherthat she was just tired of hosting. Now, she knew the truth: Margaret had wanted a free feast. Once the food ran out, so did her hospitality.
Before, Emily had only suffered indirectly. Teachers side-eyed her because Margaret never contributed to school funds and made scenes when asked. She wasnt allowed to attend birthday partiesofficially because “who knows what those parents are like,” but really because gifts cost money. But all of that paled compared to the flat.
Emily and James had known each other since schoolfriends first, then something more. James had even given up his dream for her. Hed wanted to study medicine in another city but knew Emily wouldnt follow. So he stayed.
They both trained as psychologists instead. Emily worked at a school; James went into HR. They married, saved for a mortgage, planned for childrenlater, once they had their own place.
But life, as always, had other plans. An unplanned pregnancy changed everything.
When Emily saw the two lines, she didnt know whether to laugh or cry. A babywith James. But now, when they were *so close* to their deposit? The timing couldnt have been worse.
Whatever you decide, James said.
He wanted the baby too. But he also understood the realitymoney, a home.
Enter Margaret.
Whats there to think about? shed said when Emily told her. Where God sends a lamb, He sends grass! Youll stay in my second flatGrandmas old one. Save up properly there. And dont you dare think of *ending* this! What if you cant have children later?
Margarets offer tipped the scales. Despite her difficult nature, Emily had thought their relationship was decent. A mother, with resources, helping her struggling daughterit sounded noble. Right. If only it had stayed that way.
Now, Emily didnt know where to turn. What if Margaret decided five hundred wasnt enough? Or moved strangers in? Nothing would surprise her anymore.
That evening, she told James everything. He listened, grim, then pulled her into a tight hug when she broke down.
Dont worry. Ill sort something. Sooner than a month, he promised.
And he did.
Days later, they visited his mother, Eleanor. Nothing unusualthey dropped by often. Eleanor had known Emily over a decade, ever since she took her and James to the park as children.
At one point, Eleanor took Emilys hand.
Emily, James told me everything. Dont fret, Ill help with the deposit. Youre good kidsindependent. At your age, some still live off their parents.
Eleanor spoke softly, without Margarets grandiosity. But the warmth in her eyesEmily burst into tears at the table. The contrast was staggering. Her own mother, squeezing them dry. Her mother-in-law, offering a lifeline.
They decided to stay with Eleanor while arranging the mortgage. James packed their things that same day. Emily went to return the keys but couldnt face Margaret. She dropped them in the letterbox and texted.
Why didnt you come up? Margaret asked later.
Isnt it obvious?
Well… *You* chose to leave, Margaret replied. No one forced you. You were the ones who got upset.
After that, Emily cut contact almost completely. Not that she had time to dwellpaperwork, signatures, renovations. She took on freelance work to ease the mortgage strain. Hard, yes. But for the first time, she felt part of something real.
Now, she focused entirely on her familyJames, Sophie. Eleanor, too, was family now. She hadnt just given them money. Shed given them faith. A future.
As for Margaret… Well, you dont choose your parents. Sometimes, family isnt about blood. Its about who stands by you. Who doesnt betray you.
