Haven’t you? You only sweep the living room and the kitchen. The rest of the house is a mess.
There are crumbs in the bed. And the fridge handle is always sticky.”
“That’s because you eat in bed, Derek! You choose to eat in bed like a madman, instead of just eating in the living room or dining room.
As for the fridge, it’s sticky because of your peanut butter and jelly hands.”
“Don’t blame me for everything, Lisa!” he barked. “I thought Mom could step in while we figure things out.”
“While we figure things out?” I repeated, my voice rising. “Is that what you think this break is about?
You said this separation was to reignite our relationship, Derek. Not to invite your mother in to fix me like I’m some kind of broken appliance.”
Derek rubbed the back of his neck.
“Lisa, don’t twist this. You’ve been stressed lately, and Mom offered to help.
That’s all. I didn’t think you’d react like this.”
I let out a bitter laugh.
“Of course, I’m reacting like this! You didn’t even tell me.
You moved your mother into our home. Into my bedroom! And let her throw away my clothes.
How did you think I’d react?”
He groaned, clearly frustrated.
“Look, I didn’t plan for this to happen. It’s just… you’ve been so overwhelmed lately, and Mom knows what it takes to keep a proper home. She was trying to help you… help us.”
I stared at him in disbelief.
“You think this is helping us?
You think letting your mother invade my space, disrespect my boundaries, and insult my choices is helpful? Derek, this isn’t a partnership. It’s control.
And the fact that you can’t see that is even worse.”
Derek looked stunned like he hadn’t expected me to be so angry. But I didn’t care. I was done.
I grabbed a suitcase and packed whatever clothes Sheila hadn’t deemed inappropriate.
Without a second glance, I walked out the door.
That was three days ago. I’ve already contacted a lawyer.
Some people might think I’m overreacting, but to me, this wasn’t just about the invasion of privacy or the humiliation of having my mother-in-law throw away my belongings.
It was about Derek showing, loud and clear, that he didn’t see me as an equal partner in our marriage.
He didn’t want a wife.
He wanted someone to cook, clean, and keep the house like in the 1950s.
Well, that’s not me.
When Derek asked for a “break,” I didn’t know what he was expecting. But I’ll tell you what he’s getting.
A divorce.
Now, I’ve moved into Penelope’s apartment while the divorce is sorted out.
I can’t wait to have half of everything Derek owns.
He needs to understand what it feels like to have everything one day and then have the rug pulled out from under your feet when you least expect it.
“What was the worst part of it all for you, sis?” Penelope asked.
“That my husband saw me as a failure,” I replied. “Our marriage wasn’t perfect, sure. But we weren’t in such deep water, you know?
And Sheila always hated me. Remember when we were getting ready for the wedding, and she came and criticized my hair and makeup?”
My sister sighed and continued making the homemade pizzas we were having for dinner.
“I always knew Derek was the biggest mistake of your life,” she admitted.
“What?” I gasped, almost knocking over a bowl of olives.
“I’m sorry, Lisa,” she said quietly. “But after you met him, you lost interest in all your hobbies.
Where’s my sister who would paint anything she wanted? All she needed was a canvas and her paints.”
I was quiet for a moment.
“I didn’t realize,” I said.
“Find her, Lisa,” Penelope said. “She deserves to come back.”
So, I did exactly that.
I rented out a space for myself, making sure that there was an extra bedroom for my art studio.
Finally, I was going to shed Derek and Sheila from my life and find myself.
Source: amomama
