That’s your motherso its your responsibility! he shouts, but Emily bites back her anger, buttoning her sons coat. Today she faces the dreaded task shes been dreading all week: a visit to her motherinlaw. From the start, their relationship has been a constant battle.
Margaret Clarke has never accepted Emily as her sons wife. No matter what Emily does, Margaret always finds a fault, always a criticism to hurl.
Again, Emily? Mark sighs, watching her hardened expression. You dont want to go, do you?
Emily lets out a bitter laugh.
You really have to ask? Seriously, Mark? You know exactly why I dont want to go!
Her eyes flare with anger.
Shell lecture me again, put me down, say Im not raising our son properly! And she doesnt care that I work, run the house, cook, clean and pay every bill! Im the one keeping this family together!
But youre at home all day, Mark replies, shrugging.
Emilys gaze darkens.
Oh yeah? You think I just sit around doing nothing? Or that money falls from the sky?
I work too, he growls. Its not my fault I dont get paid more.
The truth is that Emilys earnings as a freelance designer are three times Marks salary. She is the familys breadwinner.
Cant you go alone? she asks, hoping for an out.
Its Mothers Day, Emily! You cant ignore my mum! Mark retorts.
She sighs and finishes dressing her son. Two hours later they arrive at Margarets flat.
In the sitting room, Marks niece, Poppy, is already perched on the sofa. Emily has long noticed that Margaret favours Poppy, treating her like royalty while almost ignoring her own grandson. Its no surprisePoppy lost her parents five years ago, and Margaret raised her as her own daughter.
Around them, Margarets sisters laugh loudly, clinking glasses of wine.
Suddenly, Margaret drops a bomb.
Ive made a decision, she announces solemnly. I will bequeath my flat to Poppy. You, Mark, already have a home.
Mark doesnt flinch; he merely nods.
A few days later the paperwork is done. The flat now belongs to Poppy, on the condition she moves in only after Margarets death.
But fate has other plans.
A sudden stroke leaves Margaret paralysed, unable to care for herself.
We have to move in with mum, Mark declares firmly. She cant be left alone.
A cold wave of dread runs through Emily. She knows what that means.
Shell have to feed, dress, bathe her, all while working and looking after their son.
She says nothing.
Weeks pass and Emily reaches her breaking point.
One evening she erupts.
Mark, the flat belongs to Poppy. Shouldnt she look after mum?
Poppy is at university, Emily, and shes got a boyfriend. You want her bringing him here?
Emily laughsa dry, chilling sound.
I cant take this anymore!
Mark crosses his arms.
Oh, I see. Youre already exhausted?
Her hands tremble with fury.
Im suffocating! Everything rests on meYOU, your mother, our child, my jobI CANT GO ON!
But you work from home, he mutters, smug.
Emilys stare becomes sharper than shattered glass.
And then what? You think I dont work at all?
Her heart pounds.
You know what? From now on its YOUR job to care for your mother!
Its my mother, but shes also your motherinlaw! Its your role! You want me to wash her, perhaps?!
A deathly silence falls.
Emily speaks, voice calm and icy:
I owe you nothing.
Mark chuckles.
In that case, hire a care worker!
Oh? Youll pay for her?
Why should I foot the bill?!
No care worker then.
He folds his arms.
You can use mums pension. Or your salary?
Marks face hardens.
And why do I even have a wife?
That sentence is the trigger.
Something inside Emily finally snaps. Everything flashes blindingly clear.
Mark has been using her for years.
And Poppy? She never even visited her grandmother.
That night Emily doesnt sleep.
At dawn she knows what she must do.
The moment Mark leaves the house, she packs her bag, grabs her son, and walks out.
She sends one short text, then blocks his number:
I wont carry this burden alone any longer.
That same evening Mark storms back.
Either you come back, or I file for divorce!
Emily smiles faintly.
Go ahead. I was just about to.
For the first time Mark looks lost.
She isnt waiting for apologies. Her decision is made.
A month later their divorce is final.
Mark never apologises.
And Emily?
She never regrets leaving.
Six months later
Emily hears the news.
Margaret has died.
And Poppy?
She throws Mark out without a hint of remorse.
Only then does he realise what hes lost.
Hes lost everything.
