The Husband’s Ultimatum
Alice stared at the flour spilled across the kitchen tiles, biting back tears. In the dim glow of the overhead bulb, the white streaks on the linoleum looked like ghostly winter patterns. But there was no time for poetry—the guests would arrive in an hour, and the pie wasn’t even started.
«Another mess?» Her husband’s voice cut through the air as he stepped into the kitchen. «Mum’s coming over, and you’re—as usual—making a disaster.»
Alice pursed her lips. «It wasn’t on purpose, Edward. The bag tore.»
«With you, something’s always tearing or breaking,» he snapped, yanking open the fridge for a bottle of mineral water. «Thirty-five years old and still clumsy as a child.»
She crouched to sweep the flour, swallowing her resentment. A decade of this had taught her to choke down tears.
«Right, I’m off to fetch Mum,» Edward checked his watch. «Table better be set by seven. And try not to embarrass me today, eh? It’s her birthday, after all.»
When the door slammed behind him, Alice sank onto a stool and exhaled. She remembered meeting Edward at the library where she worked—how attentive he’d seemed, borrowing books on her recommendations, lingering late. Then came the theatre invitations. She’d felt like a romance novel heroine: a single mother swept off her feet by a handsome, successful man. Who knew the fairy tale would end so soon?
Her son, Daniel, appeared like a shadow. «At it again?» He nodded toward the door.
«Don’t,» Alice murmured. «He’s your stepfather.»
«Who treats you like staff.»
She had no retort. At sixteen, Daniel saw things too clearly.
«You should be studying, not eavesdropping,» she muttered, turning back to the mess.
Daniel scoffed but didn’t argue. Instead, he rolled up his sleeves and helped her scoop the flour.
«We need to talk, Mum,» he said quietly. «I want to apply to Edinburgh Uni—computer science.»
«Edinburgh?» Alice froze. «But we agreed on the local college—it’s affordable, and—»
«And Edward gets to keep belittling you every chance he gets,» Daniel interrupted. «I can’t watch it anymore.»
«Love, that’s just life. All families have their struggles.»
«This isn’t a family, Mum. It’s—» He didn’t finish, just shook his head and left.
By the time the guests arrived, Alice had set the table, composed herself, and even baked an apple pie—her signature dish. Her mother-in-law, Margaret, a regal woman in a tailored dress, scrutinised the spread but held her tongue. A small victory.
«Have a seat, Margaret,» Alice fluttered. «Emily and David should be here any moment.»
Margaret adjusted her silver-streaked fringe. «Where’s your boy?» Her tone made him sound like a stray cat.
«Daniel’s in his room. I’ll fetch him.»
«Still buried in those books?» Margaret drawled. «Waste of time. Takes after his father, clearly.»
Alice stiffened but stayed silent. Margaret had always sneered at her late first husband, though they’d never met. Insulting the dead was disgraceful, but contradicting her mother-in-law was unthinkable.
The doorbell saved her. Emily—Edward’s sister—and her husband David, a wealthy entrepreneur who always put Edward in a foul mood.
«Happy birthday, Mummy!» Emily air-kissed Margaret. «You look radiant! Sixty? Never!»
Margaret glowed. Emily knew just what to say.
«Alice.» David took her hand, kissing it lightly. «You look stunning. New haircut?»
«Oh—thank you,» she stammered, catching Edward’s glare.
Edward began pouring champagne, pointedly ignoring Daniel.
«To the birthday girl!» he boomed. «The finest mother a man could dream of!»
«And grandmother!» Emily added. «Though—actually, Mummy, we’ve a surprise.»
«What now?» Margaret eyed her.
«We’re expecting!» Emily beamed.
Margaret gasped, bursting into happy tears. David grinned. Edward’s smile was tight.
«Congratulations,» Alice murmured. «That’s wonderful news.»
«And what about you two?» Margaret turned sharply. «Edward’s nearly forty with no children of his own. Just this one borrowed boy cluttering the place.»
Silence fell. Alice felt her cheeks burn.
«Mum, we’ve talked about this,» Edward ground out.
«Talked? About your wife’s grand career?» Margaret snorted. «What career? A librarian! My friends are knee-deep in grandchildren while I’m stuck with Daniel. And he’s not even—»
«Margaret!» Alice blurted. «Daniel is right here.»
«Am I wrong?» Margaret turned to him. «Moping in corners, barely a word. Edinburgh, is it? With what money?»
Alice gaped at Daniel. How did she—?
«I’ve got savings,» Daniel said evenly. «Freelance web design.»
«Web what?» Edward cut in. «Your job is school, not nonsense!»
«It’s not nonsense. It’s my future,» Daniel shot back. «And it pays well.»
«Who said you could?» Edward’s voice rose. «My house, my rules!»
«Your house, your rules—fine. But I’m not your son. Never will be.»
Edward turned purple. «Exactly! Not my son! Never will be!»
«Edward!» Alice cried. «Stop this!»
«Or what?» He flung his hands up. «Ten years I’ve fed and clothed him, and what thanks do I get? Glued to that screen, and now Edinburgh behind my back!»
«Behind your back?» Daniel smirked. «I don’t need your permission. You’re nothing to me.»
«Daniel!» Alice’s gaze darted between them. «Edward, please—not today.»
«No, today’s perfect,» Edward seethed. «I’ve tolerated your brat too long. And now I’m funding his little adventure?»
Margaret nodded approvingly. Emily and David studied their plates. Daniel stood pale but composed.
«I’ll pay my own way,» he repeated.
«Oh, really?» Edward laughed harshly. «And who pays for the roof? The food? The clothes? Mine! Stay here, study locally—that’s my ultimatum.»
Something inside Alice snapped. Ten years of jabs, of biting her tongue—for stability, for Daniel. And now he was giving her son ultimatums?
«Enough,» she said softly. «It’s Margaret’s birthday, and we’ve made a scene.»
«Your boy made the scene,» Edward spat. «And you coddle him! A thankless pup and his doting mum. Happy to leech off me forever?»
Alice stood slowly. The room held its breath.
«I’ve worked thirty-five years as a librarian,» she said, voice steady. «Two degrees. I never asked you to support Daniel—we managed before you.»
«Did you?» Edward sneered. «Funny, I never noticed!»
«Because you didn’t want to,» Alice said. «You wanted a housemaid, not a wife. And I played along. But no more.»
«What’s that supposed to mean?»
«It means,» she turned to Daniel, «we’re leaving.»
Silence.
«You’re joking,» Edward barked. «And go where?»
«First—to my sister’s,» Alice said calmly. «Then we’ll rent. I’ll find better work. Maybe even in Edinburgh.»
Daniel stared, awed. He’d never seen her like this.
«Rubbish,» Edward scoffed. «You’ll drown without me. A librarian’s wages? How?»
«Not your concern,» Alice clipped. «Oh—I’m not just staff. I’m head librarian. Quite decent pay. But you never asked.»
Edward whirled to Margaret. «Hear that? A career woman all along!»
«She’s right,» David—Emily’s husband—spoke up. «Enough. This is a celebration, and you’re making it ugly.»
«Stay out of it!» Edward snarled.
«Someone should step in,» David said coolly. «Ten years I’ve watched this farce. If Alice is leaving—good.»
Margaret gasped. «How dare you! My son gives them everything, and—»
«Mum,» Emily cut in, quiet. «He’s right. Look what’s happening.»
Alice didn’t wait. She slipped out, Daniel following. In the bedroom, she pulled a suitcase from the closet.
«Seriously?» Daniel whispered.
«Dead serious,» she said, tossing in essentials. «Pack your things.»
«But—money, a place—»
«I’ve savings.» She retrieved a hidden jewellery box—Edward never knew. «Enough to start. And your aunt’s offered her spare room. And you,» she cupped his face, «brilliant boy with dreams. We’ll manage.»
A knock. Emily stood there, hesitant.
«YouAs the taxi drove away into the twilit streets, the heavy scent of lilac drifting through the open window, Alice realized she hadn’t felt this light in years.