She woke to the clatter of a door and saw her motherinlaw rummaging through her dresser.
Enough, Mum! Daniels voice echoed through the flat. Were adults, we can sort this out ourselves!
Emma froze by the cooker, a ladle in her hand. Her husband had been arguing with his mother for about twenty minutes, and it showed no sign of ending.
Im your mother! Victoria Hughes declared from the centre of the kitchen, arms crossed over her chest. And I have a right to know where you spend your money!
Ma, Im thirtyfive, I have a wife and a child! What business is it of yours how much I earn or where I put it?
Because somethings not right! Yesterday I came over and the fridge was empty. Emma, you must have forgotten the shop again!
Emmas cheeks flushed at the mention of her name. She turned to Victoria.
The fridge isnt empty, I just havent had time to go to the market yet. I was planning to this evening.
Evening, huh? Victoria sneered. You sit at home all day and cant even buy basic groceries!
Im not sitting at home, Im on maternity leave! Lily is only eight months old!
In my day we also stayed home, but we kept the house tidy and made stew for our husband every night!
Daniel ran a hand over his face.
Mum, please, stop this.
Im not starting anything, Im telling the truth. Look at herdishevelled, in a robe all morning!
Emma felt her face grow hot. She was indeed in a bathrobe, hair tied in a careless ponytail. Yet it was no surprise; she had fed Lily, washed the babys clothes, hung the laundry, and made breakfast before she could even think of herself.
Victoria, perhaps you should go home? she said as calmly as she could. You must have things to do.
My business is looking after my son! I didnt raise him any other way!
Ma, thats enough! Daniel grabbed his mothers elbow. Please, dont make this harder.
Victoria snapped free, seized her handbag from the table and shouted, Fine, Im leaving! But remember, Daniel, I see whats happening in this house, and sooner or later youll have to face it yourself!
She slammed the door shut. Daniel stood in the kitchen, breathing heavily.
Sorry, Emma, he said wearily. Shes been ringing me since dawn and then turned up unannounced.
Its okay, Emma replied, returning to the stove. Im used to it.
But getting used to it was impossible. Victoria had been meddling since the day they were married. She criticised everythinghow Emma cooked, how she cleaned, what she wore, how she raised Lily. She arrived without warning, inspected the fridge, peeked into the cupboards.
Daniel defended his wife, but only weakly. He couldnt be harsh with his own mother. And Emma endured. What else could she do?
They had been married four years. They met at work in the accounts department of a manufacturing plant in Birmingham. Daniel was a department manager, Emma a junior accountant. He courted her with flowers and dinner out, and she fell in love for the first time in her life.
From the first meeting Victoria had never liked her. Shed examined Emma from head to toe and said, Well, Daniel has chosen a modest one. I expected someone different. What that different was, Emma never learned.
After the wedding the nagging began. Victoria turned up for surprise inspections, found dust in corners, soup that was underseasoned, dishes left unwashed. She lectured on how a proper wife should love her husband, how a home ought to be run.
At first Daniel intervened, then got used to the routine, waving his hand and muttering, Cant help it, Mums like that, just ignore it.
But how could he ignore it when Victoria called every day? She asked what was for dinner, how Daniel was being fed, why he looked tired, hinting that Emma was a bad wife for not taking better care of him.
When Emma became pregnant, things worsened. Victoria monitored every stepwhat Emma ate, which vitamins she took, how often she visited the doctor. After Lily was born, Victoria practically moved in, arriving daily, teaching how to swaddle, bottlefeed, rock the baby.
Emma endured it all for Daniel, for the family, but her strength was fading.
One night, after Lily finally fell asleep, Emma lay beside Daniel on the sofa.
Dan, this is getting too much, she confessed. Your mother has no sense of boundaries.
I know, he said, wrapping his arms around her. But what can I do? She lives alone, shes lonely.
You can be lonely without intruding on other people’s lives.
Were not strangers. Im her son.
And Im?
Daniel sighed.
Emma, lets not argue. Im exhausted.
Emma stayed silent. He was tiredshe was too, after a full day of caring for Lily, cooking, cleaning, laundry, and then dealing with Victorias complaints. Yet Daniel, with his job and stress, seemed oblivious.
She got up, went to the kitchen, finished her cold dinner, washed the dishes, checked Lilystill sleeping peacefully, snoring softly. She returned to the bedroom.
Daniel was already asleep. Emma lay down, pulled the blanket over herself, closed her eyes, but sleep would not come. Thoughts of Victorias sharp words swirled in her mind, and of the inevitable visit tomorrow.
A rustle woke her. She opened her eyesoutside it was still dark. The clock read 5:30a.m. What was that noise?
She listened. A faint shuffling came from the bedroom. Lily was still in her cot, too small to be moving. Daniel lay still beside her.
Emma propped herself up on her elbow. The sound was coming from the dresser in the corner, where she kept her underwear, documents, and miscellaneous items.
In the dim light she saw a figurea womans silhouette bent over an opened drawer, rifling through possessions.
Emmas heart raced. Victoria? she managed. What are you doing?
The woman turned. In the streetlight that filtered through the curtains, Emma recognized Victorias face.
Ah, youre awake, Victoria said, as if nothing were amiss. Didnt want to wake you.
What are you doing in my dresser? Emma demanded, standing.
I was looking for tissues. My nose is clogged, I needed to blow my nose.
There are tissues in the kitchen, not in the bedroom.
I didnt know, Victoria snapped the drawer shut. I thought Id look.
Emma stepped closer, eyes locked on her. How did you get in the flat?
I have a spare key. Daniel gave it to me when Lily was born, just in case.
And you thought sixa.m. was the right time to use it?
Im an early riser. I wanted to help with the baby so you could get some sleep.
Help by rummaging through my things?
Victoria straightened, a defensive posture taking over. I wasnt rummaging! I was only looking for tissues!
What tissues? You were digging through my underwear!
Youre out of line! How dare you speak to me like that?
Daniel stirred, opened his eyes.
Whats happening? he murmured.
Ask your mother! Emma snapped, feeling a surge of anger. Shes in my dresser at six in the morning, poking around my stuff!
Daniel sat up, rubbing his face.
Mum? What are you doing here?
I came to help, Victoria said, putting on a hurt expression. And now Im being accused of theft!
I never called you a thief! I asked what you were doing in my dresser!
I was looking for tissues!
Which tissues?! Emma shouted. Do you think Im an idiot? You came here specifically to go through my things!
Lily began to cry from the next room, woken by the shouting. Emma scooped her up, soothing her. Shh, love, its okay.
The argument continued in the bedroom. Daniel tried to mediate, Victoria defended herself, Emma insisted on the invasion of privacy.
Daniel, Im not making this up, Emma said, voice shaking. I woke up and saw you digging through my underwear.
Victoria, sitting on the edge of the bed, tried to downplay it. I really was just looking for tissues. I thought they might be on the nightstand.
And you opened the top drawer of the dresser where I keep my undergarments! Emma snapped. What did you expect to find there?
Honestly, I didnt see in the dark, Victoria replied.
Lying! Emma shouted. You deliberately came to snoop!
Daniel stood, his patience wearing thin. Enough! he raised his voice. Both of you, stop!
Lilys cries grew louder. Emma held her tighter, retreating from the bedroom. She walked to the kitchen, finished making a bottle for Lily, hands trembling.
What did she really want? Daniel asked later, when the house had quieted down.
I dont know. But I need you to understand that I have a right to my own space, Emma said.
Daniel sighed. Ill talk to my mother.
He left for his office, promising to return. Emma lay awake, staring at the ceiling, wondering how long she could keep absorbing such intrusions.
The next day she called her own mother. Its not normal, her mother said. You need to put a stop to it.
Daniel defends her, Emma replied. He says Im overreacting.
Then have a serious talk with him. Explain that boundaries must be respected.
What if he wont agree?
Maybe change the lock. She shouldnt have a key unless youre comfortable with it.
Emma considered it, knowing Daniel would find it excessive.
That evening, after Daniel came home, Emma set the table and said, We need to talk.
What about? he asked, scrolling on his phone.
About your mother and what happened this morning.
Daniel put the phone down, exhaled.
Weve already discussed this.
No, we havent. You just brushed it off.
What problem? She came to help
She didnt help. She rummaged through my things!
Youre not sure what exactly happened.
I saw her, Daniel. She was in my dresser, touching my underwear.
Daniel rubbed his eyes, looking weary.
Okay, suppose she really opened the drawer. Maybe she was looking for tissues.
In a drawer with my underwear? Emma laughed bitterly.
Its possible.
Youre defending her while Im defending myself.
Im not defending her, I just dont see why youre making a mountain out of a molehill.
Because its an invasion of my privacy. She entered our home at dawn and went through my personal items. Thats not okay.
Daniel stood, tension in his shoulders. Enough, Emma. Im tired of this fighting. She meant well, youre making a scene.
What about taking the key away? Emma asked.
What? he replied, surprised.
Take the spare key from her. Let her come only when we invite her.
Youre joking?
Im serious.
Daniel laughed, halfheartedly. Shes my mother. She should have access to her grandchild.
Only when were home and we say its okay.
I wont give her the key back.
Then Ill change the lock.
A heavy silence fell. Daniel stared at his wife, unable to process the request.
Youd change the lock? To keep her out?
Yes. To keep her from entering without permission.
Emma, this is extreme.
Im protecting my boundaries. I deserve a space where my things arent touched.
Daniel shook his head. Im going to my mother. Ill sort this out.
He left, slamming the door. Emma sat on the sofa, head in her hands, wondering how long she could keep holding back tears.
Daniel returned late, around eleven. Emma was already in bed, eyes wide open.
How did it go? she asked.
He said you misunderstood. She really was looking for tissues, didnt find any in the kitchen, went to the bedroom, opened the top drawer, and you woke her up.
Daniel, shes lying.
Why would she lie? he asked, voice soft.
Because she doesnt want to admit she was spying on me.
What would she have to gain?
I have no idea. Maybe she suspects Im hiding something.
Daniel sat on the edge of the bed. Are you hiding anything from me?
Emma froze. The question hung in the air.
No, she whispered. Im just tired of being watched.
He pulled her close. Im sorry I didnt believe you sooner.
She rested her head on his chest, feeling a mix of relief and lingering doubt.
The next day, Daniel spoke with Victoria. She apologized, admitting shed let gossip colour her thoughts and that shed overstepped. She promised to return the spare key and to ask before coming over.
Emma called Victoria the following morning. Im sorry for the harsh words, she said. I was frightened.
Victorias voice was quiet. I accept your apology. Ill give the key back. I wont turn up unannounced again.
The key was returned through Daniel. Victoria began to visit only when invited, helping with Lily but never imposing. The tension between them eased, though a cautious distance remained.
Emma learned that setting firm boundaries, even when painful, was essential. Only by defending her personal space could she keep herself and her family intact.
From the whole ordeal she took away a simple truth: respecting one anothers limits builds healthier relationships, and without those limits, even love can become suffocating.
