Your mother thats your burden! he snapped, but Emily clenched the coat of her son, teeth gritted, trying to swallow the fury rising inside her. Yet another dreaded day lay ahead: a visit to her motherinlaw. From the first moment theyd met, their relationship had been a constant battlefield.
Margaret Collins had never accepted Emily as her sons wife. No matter what she did, Margaret always found a flaw, a criticism to hurl.
Again, Emily? David said, watching her grim face. You dont want to go, do you?
Emily let out a bitter laugh.
Are you really asking me that, David? You know exactly why I dont want to go!
Her eyes flared.
Shell nag me, belittle me, tell me Im a bad mother! Shell say Im not raising our boy properly! And she doesnt care that I work, run the house, cook, clean, and pay every bill! Im the one holding this family together!
David shrugged. But youre at home all day, he replied.
Emilys stare darkened. Oh really? You think I just sit around doing nothing? Or that money falls from the sky?
I work too, he growled. Its not my fault Im not paid more.
The truth was that Emily, a freelance designer, earned three times what David did. She was the familys breadwinner.
Cant you go alone? she asked, hoping for a way out.
Emily, its Mothers Day. You cant ignore my mother! he snapped.
She forced a sigh and finished dressing her son. Two hours later they were at Margarets house.
In the sitting room, Davids niece, Lucy, was already there. Emily had long noticed Margaret favoured Lucy, treating her like royalty while barely acknowledging her own grandson. It wasnt a surpriseLucys parents had died five years earlier, and Margaret had raised her as her own.
Around them, Margarets sisters laughed loudly, glasses of red wine clinking.
Then, suddenly, Margaret dropped a bomb.
Ive made a decision, she announced gravely. Ill bequeath my flat to Lucy. You, David, already have a home.
David didnt flinch; he merely nodded.
A few days later the paperwork was done. The flat now belonged to Lucy, on the condition she wouldnt move in until after Margarets death.
But fate had other plans. A sudden stroke left Margaret paralysed, unable to care for herself.
We have to move into Mums place, David declared firmly. She cant be left alone.
A cold wave washed over Emily. She knew exactly what that meant: feeding, dressing, washing her motherinlaw while still working and looking after their son.
She said nothing.
Weeks passed, and Emilys patience cracked.
One night she exploded. David, the flat belongs to Lucy. Shouldnt she be looking after her own mother?
Lucy is at university, Emily. She has a boyfriend. You expect her to bring him here? David retorted.
Emily let out a dry, chilling laugh. I cant take this any longer!
He crossed his arms. Oh, I see. Youre already exhausted?
Her hands trembled with rage. Im suffocating! Everything rests on me! YOU, your mother, our child, my job I CANT KEEP THIS UP!
David murmured, But you work from home
Emilys gaze cut sharper than shattered glass. And what? You think I dont really work?
Her heart pounded. You know what? From now on its YOUR turn to look after your mother!
Its my mother, but shes also your motherinlaw! Thats your role! You want me to wash her, maybe?
A deathly silence fell.
Emilys voice turned cold and steady. I owe you nothing.
David chuckled. Then hire a care worker then!
Oh? Youll pay for her?
Why should I pay? he snapped.
No caregiver then.
He crossed his arms again. Use your mothers pension. Or your salary?
Davids features hardened. Then why do I even have a wife?
That was the trigger. Something inside Emily shattered completely. Everything cleared in a blinding flash. David had been using her for years.
And Lucy? She never even visited her grandmother.
That night Emily lay awake. At dawn she knew what to do. As soon as David left the house, she packed her bags, took her son, and walked out.
She sent a single message, then blocked his number: I will not bear this burden alone any longer.
That evening David stormed in. Either you come back, or Ill file for divorce!
Emily smiled faintly. Do it. I was about to.
For the first time David seemed lost, but she wasnt waiting for apologies. Her decision was set.
A month later the divorce was final. David never apologized.
And Emily? She never regretted leaving.
Six months later, news reached her: Margaret had died.
Lucy? She kicked David out without a hint of remorse.
Only then did he realise he had lost everything.
