Mums already picked out the room shes taking in your house! my husband announced the day after our wedding.
Emily never imagined the morning after her wedding would mark the start of a battle over who got to live in her own flat. The September air was crisp, golden leaves swirling outside the window, while the scent of wedding flowers still lingered inside.
The wedding had been smalljust a registry office ceremony and a quiet meal with close family at a nearby restaurant. Emily had insisted on keeping it intimate, wanting the day to feel warm and personal rather than fussy. His parents had wrinkled their noses at the simplicity, but shed stood her ground. Better to spend the money on something useful.
Theyd returned to Emilys flat around ten that evening. The three-bedroom place in a nice part of London had been a gift from her parents for her twenty-fifth birthday. Theyd scrimped and saved for years to give her a solid start in life.
Tired but happy, Emily carefully arranged the gifts in the living roomwhite roses and chrysanthemums in a vase by the window, boxes of china and linens stacked neatly on the shelves. Each item held well-wishes from friends and family.
Meanwhile, Daniel sat at the kitchen table, scrolling through his phone with an odd, expectant look on his face, as if waiting for important news. Emily asked a few times if everything was alright, but he just waved her off, muttering about being tired.
The evening passed quietly. They drank tea with leftover wedding cake, talked about the day, and made plans for their future. Daniel was unusually quiet, but Emily put it down to exhaustion.
The next morning, she woke up lighthearted, sunlight filtering through the curtains. She wanted their first day as a married couple to be special, so she got up early, made breakfastscrambled eggs, bacon, fresh coffeeand laid the table with the linen her aunt had given them.
Daniel shuffled into the kitchen around nine, yawning. He took a sip of coffee and said, as casually as if discussing the weather, By the way, Mums already chosen her room here. Shes moving in tomorrow.
Emily froze, fork mid-air, staring at him in disbelief. Yesterday morning, shed been a single woman in her own flat. By evening, a wife. And now, suddenly, thered be another person living herewithout so much as a discussion.
What did you just say? she asked slowly, hoping shed misheard.
Mums moving in. Daniel spread butter on his toast like it was the most normal thing in the world. Shes not comfortable where she is now. And weve got plenty of space.
Emily blinked, blood rushing to her cheeks. Daniel, have you lost your mind? Since when does your mum get to claim a room in my flat?
He raised his eyebrows, as if surprised by her reaction. Em, were married now. Whats yours is ours. Family sticks together. Shes been struggling latelyher healths not great.
Emily stood abruptly, chair scraping against the floor. He spoke as if rearranging furniture, not moving a stranger into her home without permission.
Hold on, she cut in, holding up a hand. Were you ever going to ask me? Or did you assume marriage meant Id automatically house your mother?
Dont be so harsh, he frowned. Mums lovelyyou know that. Shell help cook, clean. Itll make things easier for you.
Emily paced the kitchen, gripping the counter. His mother had always seemed sweetif a bit strong-willedbut seeing her at holidays was one thing. Living with her daily? No.
Listen carefully, she said, locking eyes with him. This flat is mine. Mine alone. My parents bought it for me. Nobody decides what happens here but me.
Legally, sure, its yours, Daniel shrugged. But were family now. We dont keep score.
Emily marched to the hallway, pulled out the deed, and slapped it on the table. See that? Emily Charlotte Lawson. Not Daniels, like after marriage. Lawson. Because I owned this before we married. Under English law, that means it stays mine.
He barely glanced at it. Lets not get technical. Mum needs help. Her hearts not great, her blood pressures all over the place
Then she moves in with your dad, Emily said calmly. Or you rent her a place nearby. Plenty of options.
Christ, Em, have you no heart? Daniels voice rose. She worked her fingers to the bone for us, and now you want to shunt her off somewhere?
Classic guilt-tripping. Drop the bombshell, then act wounded when challenged.
Im happy to help, Emily said evenly. Within reason. We can visit, have her over, help with shopping or doctors. But moving in? Thats a joint decision, not a decree.
Does it matter? Daniel slammed his fist on the table, rattling the cups. Shes already packed! The movers are booked for tomorrow!
Emily went still. So it was final. Furniture and all. This wasnt temporaryshe meant to stay.
What furniture? she asked quietly.
Bed, wardrobe, dresser. Standard stuff. He wouldnt meet her eyes. She picked the room across from ours. Said the lights good, and its near the bathroom.
Emilys legs went weak. So his mother had not only planned this but toured the flat, handpicked her roomwhen? Emily hadnt given anyone keys.
Daniel, her voice was dangerously calm, when did your mum come here to choose a room?
Couple weeks ago, when you were out, he mumbled. She wanted to see where wed live. Normal, isnt it?
You let strangers into my home without asking?
Shes not a stranger! Shes my mother! And we were engagedits our flat, really.
Emily stared at him, seeing a different man. Not the kind, easygoing guy shed dated, but someone who thought he could dictate terms.
Being engaged doesnt give you rights to my property, she said coldly. Neither does marriage. I thought you understood that.
Enough with the legal crap! he snapped. Mums coming tomorrow. End of.
Emily inhaled sharply. Then she leaned forward, steel in her voice. Daniel, listen very carefully. Your mother is not moving in tomorrow. Or ever. Not without my say-so.
He laughed nervously. Dont be dramatic. Once shes here, youll seeshell help with cooking, cleaning
Youre not hearing me. She held his gaze. Heres your choice. We live here, just us. Or you pack your things and move in with her. There is no third option.
His mouth fell open. Youre serious? Thats your ultimatum?
Those are your options. Pick.
He scowled, jaw clenched. For the first time, he was seeing her not as the agreeable girlfriend but as a woman who wouldnt be bulldozed.
Didnt think you could be so cruel, he muttered. Mums done nothing wrong. She just needs help.
Cruelty is making decisions for someone else, Emily shot back. Care is offering help and waiting for an answer.
Silence followed. Daniel stared out the window while Emily cleared the table, her movements deliberate. No tears, no hystericsjust quiet resolve.
After a while, Daniel stood abruptly. She braced for a slammed door, but instead, he exhaled heavily.
Youre putting me in an impossible spot, he said hoarsely. How do I tell Mum her daughter-in-laws kicking her out?
Simple, Emily said, rinsing a glass. Say you jumped the gun and didnt consult me. Then well find another way to help her.
Shell be devastated. The movers are paid
Then she unpacks, Emily shrugged. Or stays with your dadsince theres no renovation, is there?
Daniel flushed. The lie about his dads flat crumbling.
Em, be reasonable. What if she stays a month, just until she finds?
Daniel, she cut in, youre still missing the point. Its not about timing. Its about you deciding without me. That wont happen in my home.
He finally nodded, shoulders slumping. Fine. Ill call her tomorrow. Cancel the move.
Relief washed over her. Thank you.
But God knows how Ill explain it, he muttered. She was so set on this
Tell the truth, Emily suggested. Say we want time alone as newlyweds. Then well discuss helping her later.
He gave a half-hearted nod, clearly dreading the call.
And if she gets sick from the stress? he pressed. Her hearts fragile
Daniel, she said firmly, stop manipulating. Shes a grown woman. She
