Emily felt her fury threatening to spill over, and she struggled to keep it contained. Turning sharply, she looked at her husband.
“Ryan, do you hear what your mother is saying?”
Ryan’s complexion drained of color. His eyes darted helplessly between his wife and his mother, as if searching for an escape that wasn’t there.
“Mom, please… let’s just talk about this calmly,” he began, his voice unsteady.
“Talk about what?” Rita snapped before he could continue. “You’re my son. It’s your responsibility to make sure I’m taken care of in my old age. I devoted my entire life to you—to you and to Alex. Now it’s time you repay that debt. I’ve already made up my mind. I’ll take the larger bedroom—it gets more sunlight. You and Emily can squeeze into the smaller one. Or better yet, you can find somewhere else to live.”
Emily closed her eyes and silently counted to ten. She inhaled slowly, steadying herself, then opened them again.
“Rita,” she said evenly, “this apartment belongs to me. I bought it with money I earned and with what my parents gave me as a gift. Ryan and I live here. No one else will. Please pick up your bags and leave.”
Her mother-in-law let out a sharp, grating laugh.
“Well, isn’t that bold? Ordering me around in my own son’s home? Have you forgotten who I am? I’m his mother! Without me there would be no him, no you, no marriage!”
“Mom, please calm down,” Ryan tried again, though his voice trembled.
“Be quiet!” Rita shouted at him. “Are you even a man, or just spineless? Your wife walks all over you and you can’t even open your mouth!”
Emily stepped forward and positioned herself between them.
“That’s enough. I won’t repeat myself again. Take your things and go. Now.”
“I’m not going anywhere!” Rita stamped her foot, her face flushed with rage. “Everything’s already settled. I’m giving my apartment to Alex, and I’m moving in here. You, Emily, are selfish and ungrateful. Young people are supposed to respect their elders!”
“Respect is earned,” Emily replied, her voice cold as ice. “It isn’t demanded.”
Rita spun around, grabbed one of her suitcases, and headed toward the master bedroom.
“This conversation is over. I’m getting settled.”
Something inside Emily snapped. In two quick strides she caught up to her mother-in-law, yanked the suitcase from her grasp, and hurled it back into the hallway.
“Get out of my apartment,” Emily said quietly, steel ringing beneath her calm tone. “Right now.”
“Ryan!” Rita shrieked. “Do you see how she speaks to me? You’re going to let her treat your mother like this?”
Ryan stood by the wall, pale, his arms hanging uselessly at his sides.
“Mom… maybe this isn’t the best idea,” he murmured. “Let’s discuss it later, when everyone’s calmer.”
“Not the best idea?” Her voice climbed higher. “Whose side are you on?”
“Mine,” Emily answered before Ryan could respond. “Because this is our home, our family. You weren’t invited here. Ryan, help your mother take her bags to the door.”
Rita clutched at her chest dramatically, as though seized by sudden pain.
“Oh… my heart… So this is how you treat me? After everything? I loved you like a daughter…”
“Enough with the theatrics,” Emily said firmly, pulling the front door open. “Please leave. And don’t come back without calling first.”
Rita’s expression shifted; she realized she was losing control. She snatched up two bags and dragged the third behind her toward the entrance.
“Ryan, you’ll regret this! I’m your mother! Are you really choosing that woman over me?”
Ryan stared at the floor in silence.
Rita paused on the threshold, her face twisting with fury as she turned back toward them.