My mother-in-law and her precious son jetted off to Dubai using my money, leaving me stuck at home with the kids. So, I grabbed the folder with the deed to the apartment she’s been crashing in and started dialing that number..

Guess they’ll have to do without.” She turned and headed to the bedroom, leaving David stunned in the kitchen. His last words followed her down the hall.

“You’ll regret this. You’ll come crawling back.” Jennifer didn’t look back.

The divorce was filed the next day. Despite his threats, David tried to talk her out of it, suggesting more discussions, but Jennifer was resolute. The decision wasn’t made overnight.

It had built over months, with every instance of David choosing his mother over his family. When Margaret heard about the divorce, all hell broke loose. She showed up unannounced, screaming, accusing Jennifer of every sin, calling her a family-wrecker and a heartless monster.

“After everything I’ve done for you!” she wailed, while David tried futilely to calm her. “I gave you my all! And you, ungrateful, paint me as a villain and ruin my son’s life!”

Jennifer watched the performance silently, feeling only exhaustion and certainty in her choice. When the tirade ended, she asked calmly, “You done? Now hear me.

First, the divorce is my decision, not your son’s. Second, the reason isn’t you, but David’s failure to be a husband and father, not just a son. Third, if you don’t pay rent by week’s end, I’ll start eviction proceedings. Divorce is divorce, business is business.”

The room fell silent, save for the ticking wall clock. Margaret looked as if she’d been slapped. David stood, head bowed, avoiding both women’s eyes.

“You! You monster!” Margaret finally spat. “Cold, calculating monster!” “No,” Jennifer shook her head. “Just a mother protecting her kids.

If that makes me a monster to you, we have different values.” After that, Margaret stopped speaking to Jennifer directly. All communication went through David, who bounced between the two women, pleasing neither and frustrating both.

Margaret paid the rent on time, which didn’t stop her from telling everyone about the cruel daughter-in-law who charged her elderly mother-in-law and destroyed her family for profit. Jennifer ignored the gossip. She had no time or desire for a PR war.

The divorce process moved forward. With no major joint assets besides the mortgaged apartment, disputes centered on the kids and alimony. David pushed for joint custody; Jennifer agreed, provided the kids lived with her, and he had set visitation days.

Court filings, lawyer meetings, work, and parenting consumed her energy, blurring days into a stream of tasks. No room for regrets or sadness. Maybe that was for the best.

One evening, returning from daycare with the kids, Jennifer found Lisa at her door with a bouquet of flowers. “What are you doing here?” she asked, unlocking the door. “Came to congratulate you,” Lisa handed her the flowers. “Happy birthday, forgot?”

Jennifer blinked, confused. It was May 17, her birthday. In the chaos of recent weeks, it had slipped her mind. “Oh, really?” she smiled sheepishly. “Thanks.

Come in.” After setting the kids up with cartoons for 15 minutes, Jennifer led Lisa to the kitchen. Lisa pulled out a bottle of wine and a cake box.

“I know you’re in saving mode, but birthdays are sacred,” she declared, opening the box. “Every woman deserves a little celebration, especially a brave one like you.” “Brave?” Jennifer laughed, grabbing glasses.

“Not sure that’s the word.” “It’s the word,” Lisa poured the wine. “You know how many women put up with this for years? Living with mama’s boys, letting mothers-in-law run the show, giving up their own needs.

You had the guts to change it. That takes courage.” Jennifer twirled her glass thoughtfully.

“I don’t feel brave. More desperate, when it’s your kid’s health versus your husband and mother-in-law’s comfort.” “You chose right,” Lisa finished for her.

“By the way, how’s the apartment? Margaret paying?” “So far,” Jennifer sipped her wine. “David’s covering his share, so she’s holding on.

But once the divorce is final, I bet trouble starts.” “Then evict her and rent to normal people,” Lisa shrugged. “I’ve got plenty of interested tenants.” Jennifer nodded.

The thought no longer scared or worried her. If needed, she’d evict Margaret without hesitation. She’d learned to put her kids’ well-being first, and it felt liberating.

“How’s Tommy’s treatment going?” Lisa asked, cutting the cake. “Almost there,” Jennifer smiled. “Two more months of rent, and we can cover the surgery.

The doctor says recent tests are promising, so we’ve got time.” They sat in the kitchen late, laughing over old stories, discussing future plans, just chatting. Jennifer couldn’t recall the last time she felt so light and free.

As if the massive weight she’d carried for years had lifted slightly. A week after her birthday, the call she’d both dreaded and expected came. An unfamiliar number, but she recognized the voice.

“Jennifer?” Margaret. “We need to talk.” “Hello,” Jennifer kept her tone neutral…