**An Unexpected Encounter at the Market with My Ex-Mother-in-Law: Shes Unrecognisable!**
One Saturday at the market, I spotted my ex-mother-in-law. Shed changed so muchher face worn, her shoulders slumped. Without hesitation, I rushed over, greeting her warmly, and we fell into conversation about life. Though she never complained about her son, I could see the strain in her eyes. Before we parted, she insisted I call her the next day. My heart ached for her; Id lived in her home for ten good years. Then her son brought home a new wife, claiming shed be better than me.
My husband and I had shared her house for a decade. James had said there was no need to buy our own placehis mother had no one but him, and the house would be ours eventually. His words left a bitter taste; no son should speak that way. From the start, I realised my mother-in-law was a kind, gentle soul, radiating warmth in every gesture.
After the wedding, James changed completely. Not even the birth of our son softened his coldness. I never felt truly lovedonly with his mother could I speak openly. Out of respect, I never criticised him in front of her, but she understood. She stood by me, helping raise our boy through the years. She took him to nursery, then school, always cooking meals with care.
Then, after ten years, James shocked us all by demanding a divorce. He refused to leave the houseit was *his*, he declaredso *I* had to go. For the first time, my mother-in-law stepped in, pleading with him to reconsider, to think of our child. But it was useless. His mind was made up. I packed my things and left. He moved his new wife in straight away, while I rented a tiny room from an elderly widow.
Lifes hard now. My wages barely cover rent and food, and my son and I tiptoe around our landladya stern woman, perpetually dissatisfied, finding fault in everything. Weve taken to eating meals in our room just to avoid her sharp tongue.
Then, at the local greengrocers, I saw my ex-mother-in-law again. Her eyes were hollow with sorrow. She never said a word against James, but I knewshe wasnt welcome in her own home anymore. We spoke honestly, and she begged me to call her. Id take her in without questionshes a good soul, and wed help each other. But Ive no space to offer. What on earth should I do?
