**Mother-in-Law, Money, and Divorce: How Emily Stood Her Ground**
Emily trudged home, her arms weighed down by heavy shopping bags. She eased the door open, careful not to wake her husband. After slipping off her shoes and hanging her coat, she headed to the kitchen—only to freeze at the sound of a woman’s voice. She knew it straight away: her mother-in-law, Margaret. Tiptoeing closer, Emily caught the tail end of a hushed conversation between Margaret and her husband, James. What she heard made her blood run cold.
James had always acted like the head of the family. He earned nearly double what Emily did and never let her forget it. She worked freelance as an editor, taking on coursework and articles—quietly, dutifully—until recently, when she’d been promoted. Her salary was now respectable, but she chose not to share the news with James.
She remembered how, right after their wedding, James had lost his job. For six months, she’d carried the household alone while he turned down roles that paid less than hers. All the while, Margaret poured fuel on the fire, scolding Emily for not supporting them properly. When Emily got her raise, Margaret wasted no time spending it for her:
*“The house and groceries come first,”* she’d say. *“James needs a new suit—first impressions matter. He can’t go to interviews looking shabby.”*
*“He has clothes,”* Emily argued. *“I haven’t bought anything for myself since the wedding. I spent a little on workwear—we have a dress code.”*
*“Your whims can wait. A husband’s money is for his needs first. You live in his flat—be grateful and contribute.”*
Emily ignored her. Margaret fumed, and soon, James took her side. His mother knew how to twist his ear.
Two years passed. James landed a good job, earning well again—more than Emily. Yet he still handed part of his wages to his mother. They split household costs, but there was no joint account.
When Emily was promoted again, she kept quiet. She stashed money in secret, opening a separate account. They’d once dreamed of saving for a holiday, but the funds always vanished. James had once mentioned their savings to Margaret—suddenly, the money found a *“better”* use:
*“You must save!”* Margaret urged. *“I’ll manage it for you—we’ll expand the flat. And think about children. Just one, mind you. No sense raising them in poverty.”*
*“Of course, thank you, Mum,”* Emily replied politely, though she trusted none of it.
Margaret flaunted new coats, jewellery, and beach holidays. Yet Emily endured lectures:
*“Your money belongs to the family. You squander it.”*
*“I earned it. I decide how to spend it.”*
*“When you marry, everything’s shared—including wages!”*
*“Emily, is that a new dress?”* Margaret once sniffed. *“Looks expensive. I know brands.”*
*“A New Year’s treat to myself.”*
*“Wasteful. You should save.”*
*“Like your new coat? Paid for with James’s money?”*
*“I work. His money is safe with me.”*
*“So is mine.”*
Rows between Emily and James grew frequent.
*“Your mother called me wasteful!”*
*“Don’t argue. Any extra goes to Mum—she saves wisely.”*
*“No! I decide where *my* money goes. Where does hers end up?”*
*“On necessities. She works.”*
*“Three hours a week to parade in new clothes—and you defend her?”*
*“I trust her. You’re just suspicious.”*
The feud deepened. Emily’s defiance irked Margaret. One day, she staged a scene: a woman with a *“baby bump”* hugged James in the street.
Emily watched silently. Then the bump slipped sideways—fake. Passers-by snickered. James chased after her, pleading:
*“I don’t know her! I swear!”*
*“Your mother’s gone too far!”* Emily shouted.
*“Leave her be! She cares!”*
*“Or divides us?”*
*“You’re selfish. Mum’s always right. I want a divorce.”*
Even then, Margaret schemed:
*“The flat’s James’s. But savings are shared—Emily must return half.”*
*“And what he gave you?”*
*“My money. His account’s empty.”*
*“Well… not quite,”* James mumbled. *“There’s… two hundred grand.”*
Emily smiled. In truth, she had more—stashed safely. She let them take their *“moral compensation.”*
*“It’s gone?!”* Margaret shrieked after court. *“She hid it! That witch!”*
Six months later, Emily bought her own flat. She’d stored her savings in her grandfather’s account from the start. Once she realised Margaret *“saved”* only for herself, her grandparents helped her—even chipped in extra.
James’s life unravelled. He proposed again, but Margaret refused to fund the wedding. They fought:
*“You’ve no money, Mum? Was Emily right?”*
*“I bought you a flat!”*
*“So you’re broke!”*
*“After all I’ve done—ungrateful!”*
The wedding never happened. His fiancée left.
Now Emily lived peacefully—in her own home, free from meddling. And she’d never rely on someone else’s money again.
**Lesson learned: If you let others control your worth, you’ll pay for it twice.**
