“Stop talking to your mothershe’s a bad influence on you,” demanded Daniel, barely glancing up from his phone.
Emily froze in the middle of the kitchen, her tea cup trembling in her hands. Had she heard him right?
“What?” was all she managed.
“Im serious,” Daniel finally looked up, his voice sharp. “Your mother is always meddling in our affairs. Every time she visits, we end up arguing.”
“Dan, how can you say that?” Emily set the cup down, her fingers unsteady. “Shes my mumthe only family I have left.”
“Thats exactly why you dont see how toxic she is,” Daniel stood and paced the kitchen. “Every visit ends the samesuddenly, the house isnt clean enough, I dont treat you right, or I dont earn enough. Nothings ever good enough for her.”
Emily sank into a chair. Her mothers words from yesterday echoed in her mind: *”Emily, love, why did Dan shout at you over dinner? I dont like how he speaks to you.”*
“She just worries about me,” Emily said quietly. “She wants me to be happy.”
“She wants control!” Daniel snapped. “Cant you see? She resents that youre married. You belonged to her first, and now she has to share you.”
“Dan, thats ridiculous” Emilys eyes welled up. “She was over the moon at our wedding!”
“Was she?” He scoffed. “Remember what she said when we got engaged? *Dont rush, Emilymaybe you should think it over.*”
“She just wanted me to be sure”
“She wanted you to call it off!” he cut in. “And now shes chipping away at our marriage. Every time she visits, we fight. Dont you notice?”
Emily wiped her tears with her sleeve. It was trueher mums visits often left tension between them. But was it really her fault?
“Its just coincidence,” she mumbled.
“No, its not.” Daniel sat across from her, his gaze intense. “She plants doubts in your head. Tells you Im no good, that you deserve better. Then you come at me with complaints.”
“I dont complain”
“Really?” His voice turned sharp. “Last week, who had a go at me for watching football instead of fixing the shelf? Whered that come from, eh?”
Emily fell silent. Her *had* mentioned men should help more around the house.
“See?” Daniel tapped the table. “Then suddenly, youre upset we dont spend enough time together. Another of her little suggestions?”
“Mum just thinks couples should talk more…”
“Exactly!” He slammed his palm down. “She twists your thoughts, and then you bring it to me. We were fine before she started dropping by all the time.”
Emily tried to remember. After the wedding, her mother had kept her distance, saying newlyweds needed space. But after Dad passed, shed begun visiting more often.
“Shes lonely without Dad,” Emily said.
“I get that,” Daniel sighed, his voice softening. “But she cant take her grief out on our marriage. Em, thinkwhen shes not here, were fine. The moment she steps in, you change.”
“Change how?”
“You turn critical. Like her voice is in your head, not yours.”
Emily bit her lip. Maybe he was right. After her mums visits, she *did* start nitpickingthings shed never noticed before.
“But what do I tell her?” she asked helplessly.
“You say no. Meet her in town, not here.”
“Dan, I cant justshes my mum. After Dad died, its just us.”
“And you have *me*,” he reminded her. “I wont let her sabotage us.”
Emilys chest ached. Choosing between her husband and her motherhow was that fair?
“Listen,” Daniel took her hands. “Im not asking you to cut her off. Just set boundaries. Dont share our private life. Dont bring her opinions home. Keep some distance.”
“What if shes hurt?”
“And what if *Im* hurt that my wife values her mothers word over mine?” he countered.
Emily exhaled. There was logic in his words, but it didnt ease the guilt.
That evening, her mum called.
“Emily, love, how are you?” Her familiar voice chirped through the phone. “Dans not still cross about yesterday, is he?”
“Mum, why would he be?”
“Well, I *did* say the flat was drafty. Maybe he thought I was criticising him.”
Emily remembered Dans muttered comment after shed left: *”Nothings ever right. Too cold, too hot, soups too salty”*
“Its fine, Mum,” she said carefully.
“You know, Ive been thinking,” her mother pressed on. “Maybe you should get a job? Sitting at home all day cant be good. Extra money never hurts.”
“Dan and I agreed Id stay home for now”
“Agreed? Or did *he* decide?” Her tone turned pointed. “Emily, youve got a degreewhy waste it cooped up?”
“I *like* being at home,” Emily said, but even she heard the doubt in her voice.
“Do you? Or have you just convinced yourself you do?” A pause. “Love, I worry youre losing yourself in this marriage.”
“Mum, stop”
“No, Emily. Who else will tell you the truth? You used to be so independent. Now youre just… fading.”
After hanging up, Emily sat at the kitchen table, conflicted. *Had* she changed?
When Dan returned from work, she met him with a question:
“Dan, why dont you want me to work?”
He froze mid-step, his expression hardening.
“Let me guessyour mums idea?”
“Its *my* question!”
“Emily, we talked about this. Why stress over a job? My salary covers everything.”
“But I could contribute”
“And whod run the house? Cook dinner?” He hung his coat, frustration edging his voice. “I come home exhaustedI just want my wife here, our home peaceful.”
“Plenty of women manage both”
“Plenty of marriages fail, too,” he cut in. “Em, why stir trouble? Are you unhappy at home?”
“No, but”
“Then stop letting her get in your head.” He pulled her close. “Im thinking of *us*. Our peace.”
Emily leaned into him, but her mothers words lingered: *”Youre losing yourself.”*
The next day, her mum arrived unannounced, groceries in hand.
“Thought Id make a roast,” she declared, bustling in. “You never eat properly anymore.”
“Mum, I *do*”
“Do you?” Her mother unpacked vegetables with a frown. “Ready meals and pasta. Wheres the fresh meat? The greens?”
“I *have* vegetables”
“Potatoes and carrots dont count,” she waved off. “Honestly, Ill cook you a proper meal.”
As her mother worked, she chatted about neighbours, asked about Emilys daysthen, effortlessly, steered the conversation to Dan.
“Why was Dan so moody last week?” she asked, stirring gravy.
“Just work stress”
“He doesnt take it out on you, does he?” Her gaze sharpened. “If somethings wrong, youd tell me?”
“Mum, everythings *fine*.”
“Fine?” She set the spoon down. “Youve lost weight. Those dark circlesare you sleeping?”
Emily touched her face. Lately, she *had* been restless, tense after small spats with Dan.
“Im just tired”
“From *what*? No kids, just sitting home” Her mum gripped her shoulder. “Emily, be honest. Is he unkind to you?”
“No! Why would you”
“Then why do you seem so… small?” Her voice softened. “You used to laugh so easily. Now you tiptoe around him.”
Emily stiffened. It was trueonce, shed joked about minor marital gripes. Now, every word felt like a threat to their peace.
“Mum… maybe I *should* work?”
“Absolutely!” Her face lit up. “Youre qualifiedwhy rot at home?”
“Dan doesnt like the idea”
“Since when does *he* dictate your life?” Her tone turned dismissive. “Its *your* choice.”
Emilys stomach knotted. There it wasthe undermining Dan hated. Her mother brushed off his opinion like it was nothing.
“Mum, Im his *wife*. Big decisions involve him”
“Discuss, yes,” her mum conceded. “But *you* decide. Emily, youre not his property.”
“Im not, but we
