“What are you worrying about over nothing again, Emma?” Everything will be just as I tell you. Mom will support any decision I make. That’s how it’s always been and always will be.

“I’m her only son,” Michael convinced his beloved. They were walking along the Hudson River waterfront in New York City. The guy put his arm around the girl’s slender waist and looked at the passing men with a victorious air.

He was pleased that such a beauty would soon become his new wife.

“I remember meeting your mom; she looked at me suspiciously. It even felt like she might tell you to fire me. I think she figured everything out. She didn’t like me, my heart tells me,” Emma expressed her uncertainty.

“I don’t understand your doubts; you can’t help but be liked,” Michael replied. He adored his chosen one’s appearance. Tall, slender, long-legged Emma was the ornament of any society. His wife Katie couldn’t compare to her. She was ordinary even before childbirth, and now she’s completely different.

A few days ago, Mike decided to introduce Emma to his mother. Of course, he didn’t tell her about his plans to marry her. But this introduction was the first step toward divorcing Katie.

“Emma helps me with paperwork. I appointed her as my secretary. She’s doing well. If it continues like this, I’ll make her my assistant at business meetings.”

“Okay, son. I hope her head works well. It’s rare to find beauty and intelligence combined in one person,” Victoria thoughtfully replied, glancing at Emma.

“I won’t tell Mom anything yet. Let her get used to Emma being around me all the time. It’ll be easier for her to switch from Katie to the new daughter-in-law,” the son calculated.

One of the following days, Emma showed Michael her impatience:

“Maybe it’s time for us to move in together? You promised to kick your wife out of the apartment, but she’s still sleeping with you. I don’t like playing the third wheel at all… Maybe you’re deceiving me and not planning to break up with her? I know many cases where married men string girls along for years but never divorce.”

“I’m just planning to discuss this with her tonight. She’s not aware yet that she won’t be able to stay in our apartment after the divorce. She trusted me when I bought the apartment. She didn’t even read the documents. Mom advised me back then to definitely register the property in her name. Well, so that she, my mother, would be listed as the owner. You never know what might happen over the years of married life. And she was right. Now Katie and the kids won’t get anything,” Mike kissed Emma.

But everything didn’t go according to the man’s plan…

“I can’t understand what happened. Why are you leaving me? We have kids. And we live separately from parents. No one is getting on your nerves. You have a good salary. There’s enough money for everything. Soon Tony and Vera will go to preschool. What’s wrong? What are you missing in family life?” Katie was shaking from the news her husband told her.

“It’s clear you have no idea what a man needs. For you, it’s important that there’s enough money for food and clothes, that we have our own apartment, and the kids are healthy. But for me, that’s just a facade of a happy life. Understand, with my job, my wife needs to match. I’m tired of not being able to take you to corporate events or other important gatherings where colleagues and partners come with their wives.”

“Why can’t you?” Katie wondered.

“Why not? Because they’re all fit and groomed, and you’re different now.”

“But I’m with the twins all the time. Feed them, put them to sleep, play with them. Soon we’ll send them to preschool, and I’ll take care of myself right away. I’ll go to the gym,” Katie tried to persuade her husband.

“Do you believe that yourself?”

“I’ll do anything for our family: lose weight, tone up. Believing in you, I’ll have the strength and patience for it,” Katie hurried to convince her husband, as if the purity of her words determined his further decision. “Just give me time, we’ll send the kids to preschool, you’ll see.”

“Give time? What about next week? I’ve been invited to an important meeting. It’ll be informal. There’s a buffet and something else on the list, I don’t remember. Everyone needs to come with wives or fiancées. Who should I bring? You? You’ll ruin all the negotiations with your figure.”

The wife was silent, and large tears rolled down her cheeks from hurt and realization of her own powerlessness.

“Or should I tell them not to pay attention to my wife’s appearance? She’s huge now, but she swore she’ll get in shape soon. Maybe you can suggest a way out? Silent? Well, I don’t see another way either.”

Katie continued to cry. She was ready for anything to save the family.

“Are you saying I don’t attract you at all? I still love you… What should I do with my feelings?” Katie decided to pressure her husband.

“Why not? I love you too. But these relationships are hindering my work, my development. I’ve already explained everything. You weren’t listening at all. You say you love me, but you’re trying to tie me down. When you love, you do everything to make the person happy. We need to sacrifice our family, dear,” Mike pretended to be displeased with his wife’s stubbornness.

“And what about the twins? What will we live on? I need to feed and clothe them. Soon there’ll be various activities, preschool costs money. I can’t even pay for the apartment, since I don’t work.”

“Good that you brought up the apartment yourself,” the husband rejoiced and then pondered how best to tell his wife she no longer lives here. Suddenly, a brilliant idea struck him. “Yes, the apartment. So, you won’t have to pay for it. You just pack your things and move with the kids to your parents. Several problems solved at once. You’ll have a free place and babysitters who’ll always watch the kids. You can even get a job if you want. I’ll send money for the twins, don’t worry about that…”

“Wait, why are you insisting on us moving out of this apartment? It’s joint property. Aren’t you planning to bring another woman here?” Katherine was starting to get angry because of her past stupidity and readiness to do anything for Michael….

“Exactly, why didn’t it occur to me right away,” now Katie understood that persuading her husband was useless. Since another woman was involved, she clearly looked better than the wife. And now that was Mike’s key argument.

“What are you going on about: another, mistress. I don’t have anyone. This is for my male dignity and my status with partners,” Mike began to get angry. “Besides, the apartment isn’t in my name, but Mom’s. I insured myself, you never know how life turns. You’re not the owner here and can’t sue for a share. Don’t even try. Why are you crying again? So what, you’ll have to go back to your mother and father. For you, happiness is the kids. They’ll go with you. And you’re not the only one living without a husband. Half the country lives without men. Somehow they manage.”

Katie couldn’t calm down, as her nerves had completely given out.

“You yourself say you’ll take care of yourself. Good. Get your appearance in order and find a new husband. Live with him. No need to give birth again. You already have kids. You’ll be a desirable bride,” the husband spoke seriously.

Mike stopped comforting his wife. He was disgusted looking at his spouse’s bloated body, her disheveled hair, and swollen face. Now she was especially ugly. “How did I live with her before, I don’t understand how I tolerated her in bed for three years? She didn’t become like this today. Okay, soon I’ll bring Emma here, and she’ll brighten my life. I deserve better, not this wonder on the couch. I even feel a bit sorry for her. Why did I tell her about a new guy? She won’t find anyone. Well, maybe she’ll lose twenty pounds. But will she be better? I doubt it. Though why am I worrying about her? I didn’t make her spread out like that. She’s to blame. And now I need a normal woman. I’m doing everything right,” Mike convinced himself.

“Don’t cry, I’m not asking you to leave right now. You have three days. You’ll have time to pack everything?”

Katie nodded.

“Well, excellent.”

The husband turned and left the room. “It’s a pity only that I’ll have to support the twins. Katie won’t manage them alone. She’s right. I can’t just close the door on the old life behind the wife and open a new one for Emma. I’ll have to give money to this pair of dependents. Ah, whatever. As long as I live under one roof with Emma and don’t hide in corners anymore,” the man thought.

“Son, I need to talk to you urgently,” Victoria’s voice on the phone sounded strict.

“Mommy, I don’t have time now. An important matter is coming up. Let me call you back in the evening,” the son tried to avoid the conversation.

Michael was more interested now in Emma’s finger wandering over his chest.

“What important matter is brewing for you, son? Is your boss calling? Nothing can be more important.”

“Mom, I’m not just twiddling my thumbs at work. I might have negotiations with partners, meetings with subordinates. Did you hire me to fool around? Unlikely,” Mike cheerfully replied to his mother.

Emma had recently moved her suitcase with things into Mike’s apartment. And now they were both lounging in the marital bed.

“Your important matters, son, can wait. They won’t spoil. Better slip a bill for a taxi and let them go home. I need to discuss things with you that can’t be postponed,” the mother strictly showed her son that she expected him at her place.

“What’s this, she didn’t let us celebrate your move. Okay, I’ll have to go to her, but I’ll be back soon. Meanwhile, look around, get used to it,” the man kissed Emma and began getting ready to go to his mother…

“You have to obey the boss,” the girl nodded and doubted. “Do you think she suspects about us?”

“She definitely suspects something. I just don’t understand who could have told her. Anyway, it’s not important anymore. I’ve decided everything; we live together now. You’ll be my new wife. And my mother’s opinion doesn’t interest me.”

Victoria met her son without much warmth. Under his mother’s gaze, Michael immediately felt like a naughty boy. But the man tried to pull himself together. He still had to explain his action to his mother.

“Mike, you know how morally hard it was for me to replace your father. I tried to raise you as a responsible person who understands the consequences of his actions. I thought I achieved that. Until today, I sincerely believed you were a reliable life partner for your wife and a good father to my grandchildren. Katie called me recently, told everything. Don’t you want to explain anything to me?” the woman said strictly.

“Mom, I don’t understand why you’re so alarmed? So what, Katie is left alone with the twins. How many mothers raise kids without fathers! You went through it yourself. What did Katie tell you about me? Maybe you should trust your son’s opinion, not a stranger, even if she was my wife for a while. Probably, she made up stuff out of resentment. It’ll pass with time. She’ll calm down and accept the situation. Everything’s for the best…”

“Son, are you saying it’s easier for a woman with two children to raise them without a husband’s support? Better to cram with elderly parents in a two-bedroom apartment? Better to worry if the ex-husband will send money for food or she’ll have to figure it out herself? Or better to get a job, torn between motherly duties and boss demands? What’s better here? Or did I miss something, and you have a normal explanation? What advantages can outweigh everything I listed? I still don’t understand your action, no matter how I try.”

“I don’t understand, Mom, why you’re starting this conversation now. When I brought Katie to meet you, you immediately said you didn’t like her, and now you’re defending her. What changed? I broke up with her, as you initially wanted. After all, Emma is much better. You said it’s rare for intelligence and beauty to combine, and she’s exactly like that.”

“Ah, so it’s about Emma. The same one you took as your secretary. Well, no arguing here. Katie doesn’t hold a candle to her in beauty. Legs from the neck and an angel’s voice. Top-class exterior. So that’s who you traded your wife and own children for?” the mother snorted, not believing Mike fell for this doll.

“See, Mom, now you understand why I asked Katie to leave. Emma suits me much better in appearance than my bloated wife. Emma looks worthy of my position. She takes care of herself, dresses fashionably. I’m not ashamed to take her out, introduce to business partners. And you saw Katie recently yourself. Where to take such a one to presentations or corporates? Embarrassing.”

Victoria thoughtfully looked at her son. Michael chattered on, deciding his mother agreed with his choice:..

“How good that you understood me. Of course, you want the best for your son. You’ve said that since childhood. I’m so grateful for everything you’ve given me. And now you’re taking my side, not defending Katie. I told Emma that you liked her. And she, the fool, still doubts and worries. How can she not be liked?”

“Michael, I can’t believe you’re saying all this to me now. Don’t you realize you’ve become a traitor? You have a family. Okay if you came to your senses right after marriage. But now you have kids. Everything’s changed now. Katie is the mother of your children. You just threw all three out the door. And the reason is banal. My son found a slender vixen who wants to grab everything best for herself. You’re a fool! Do you realize what you’re doing? Or have your brains stopped working? Kick out your wife with kids! How did you even think of it? It’s not the bloated after childbirth Katie who’s embarrassing. It’s you – my shame.”

“Mom, you’re exaggerating the situation. I’ll help them with money. But I can’t be with her anymore. Understand me as a man. Or should I have tolerated her for the kids? That’s nonsense. Maybe I should have left myself and left the apartment to Katie? But you yourself said to register it in your name so it wouldn’t go to the daughter-in-law in case of divorce. Or maybe we should have a poly family and live as five? Katie would definitely be happy then…”

But in his apartment, Michael started getting angry at his mother. The man was sure Mom would take his side. How many times in disagreements with the daughter-in-law she defended her son. And now everything went not according to his plan.

“But let’s start with the fact that it wasn’t me who suggested registering the apartment in my name, but you. You yourself sang to me that it would be better for us. Besides, I wasn’t entirely sure about Katherine, so I agreed. If I knew you’d behave like this! I never expected my son to be a traitor. I don’t want to hear about this Emma anymore. You have a legal wife, children. Be kind, call Katie, ask her to forgive you, and bring everything back. This is not only your family but mine too. And I understand you’re making a big mistake now. You’ll regret it later.”

“Mom, listen, I’m no longer your obedient boy. I’m an adult man and have the right to make decisions that suit me. I don’t want to live with someone I don’t love. Emma will be my wife, and we’ll live in this apartment. And even though you’re my mother, stop telling me what to do. Instead of criticism, I expected support from you, and you started defending Katie and her brood.”

“I’ve said everything, son. Go and cool off. I give you three days to come to your senses, kick out your Emma, and bring back the family. If you don’t fix anything, you’ll regret it.”

Emma sat on the bed in a beautiful robe and listened attentively to Michael’s story:

“So she’s telling you where and with whom to live? That’s news! To an adult man! Will you listen to her?” she looked at Michael doubtfully.

“Are you crazy? No, of course. I’m not a mama’s boy to obey her orders. One thing at work, and completely different here. She’s threatening me. With what? Fire me from work? Demote me? Nonsense. Our city is big… With my experience and knowledge, I’ll find even better. I don’t understand how she can harm me. I don’t want to remember her threats anymore.”

“Are you sure? She didn’t give you three days for nothing.”

Victoria called her son daily. She still hoped reason would prevail over carnal desires.

“Why aren’t you picking up?” Emma was surprised.

“Why? I’ve decided everything for myself. She just has to accept it. If I answer her call, I’ll show weakness. And I don’t want to hear threats from my mother again.”

Unexpectedly, the phone rang again. Mike switched to silent mode and turned it screen down. The voicemail voice came from the speaker. Victoria hung up. She understood Mike was stubborn in his decision. She needed to stop calling her son and think of something else.

Three days passed. There were no more calls from his mother. They didn’t fire Michael from work either. Life began to settle into a calm routine.

“Mom has accepted it, then. Time to divorce and marry Emma. Today I’ll propose to her,” the man pondered.

The girl, of course, accepted the proposal of hand and heart. He started handling the divorce. After some time, they set a wedding date and began preparing for the celebration. Michael and Katie had mutual friends. He asked them how his former family was doing. He wasn’t surprised to learn that Mom communicates with the daughter-in-law and grandchildren.

“As she wants. I don’t care about them. There are more important things. Need to decide where to go for the honeymoon after all. Time to buy tickets and book the hotel,” Mike switched his attention.

“Mike, how long are you going to fiddle with the lock? As if on purpose, dragging time when I’m barely standing. I dream of a shower and soft bed. Come on, let me try to open it, since you can’t,” Emma leaned her shoulder against the wall and whined…

“Something’s wrong with the lock; the key won’t go into the keyhole. What mysticism happened while we were away?” Mike muttered incomprehensibly.

The newlyweds had just flown back from their honeymoon in Hawaii half an hour ago. They planned to take a shower, lie in bed a bit, then go to a cafe for dinner.

“Looks like we won’t get into the apartment quickly. Something happened to the lock. Now I’ll find a locksmith’s number, let him break the door. I can’t handle it myself.”

Footsteps were heard in the apartment, and someone looked through the peephole from the other side.

“Who’s breaking into my apartment?” Mike heard the familiar voice.

“Mommy, it’s us back from the trip, open please, we can’t unlock the door.”

The click of the unlocking lock sounded, and the newlyweds saw Victoria. Behind her stood Katie, and the twins clung to the ex-wife’s legs.

“How much they’ve grown in half a year! Tony and Vera will be my copies; how didn’t I notice before,” Michael noted to himself in surprise.

Mom stepped aside and gestured for her son and new daughter-in-law to enter the apartment. The newlyweds exchanged glances, and Michael crossed the threshold first.

“Mom, don’t you want to explain anything to me? What are you doing in my apartment? And what are Katie and the kids doing here?” Michael looked incomprehensibly from his mother to his former family.

“Girl, who gave you my comb? I don’t allow anyone to take my things,” Emma’s voice sounded behind. “Come on, quickly return the comb where it was. And anyway, what’s going on here? Why are you here in our absence? How did you get in? This is our home. Put the comb back, I said. What a disobedient girl?”

“Vera, return the comb where you took it,” the father forced out.

“Stop throwing hysterics here. No need to scare the kids with your screeching, Emma,” Victoria replied sternly. “Leave your things here. Let’s go talk in the kitchen. I need to explain something to you. Katie, go to the room for now, occupy the kids with something. I’ll talk to our tourists now, and we’ll continue playing with Vera and Tony.”

The son with the new daughter-in-law followed Victoria, and after a couple of minutes, Michael’s wild scream came from there:

“What? Why did you transfer the apartment to Katie? Is the ex-daughter-in-law with grandchildren dearer to you than your own son? You’re joking! You decided to prank us. If so, the joke worked. Consider you punished me for disobedience. Tell honestly that it’s not true.”

“Everything is exactly as I told you before. No need to get outraged and hysterical here. You mentioned in our conversation that I went through what awaits Katie – raising kids alone. Yes, I endured it and know what it means to give everything to a child and forget your desires. And my daughter-in-law has not one child, but two. She needs help, not just financial. No matter how much I love you, I don’t support your decision. Your action is betraying your own children. I can’t accept that. You’re my son, and I bear responsibility for your actions. That’s why I did it.”

“Mom, exactly, I’m your son. If you don’t even support me, at least don’t sink me. We have a young family, many plans for the future. Besides, why do you think only about these grandchildren? In some time, Emma and I will have kids too. And are they unworthy to live in their own place?”

The phrase about kids alerted the young wife. She slightly furrowed her brows, clearly disagreeing with her husband’s words. From the example of the first wife, Emma understood that childbirth ruins figure and appearance. And that’s important for Mike. It wasn’t in her plans to give birth…

“Especially since you’re young, you have tons of plans, so there’s motivation to set up your nest. I think you’ll earn your own housing, but not in my company anymore. From today, Mike, you don’t work there. You can look for another place, and for your Emma too. At the same time, test your love. Feelings only strengthen through difficulties. This experience won’t be superfluous for you. Otherwise, you get everything on a platter and don’t appreciate care. Emma will show you what kind of wife she is: not only conquer with appearance but with soul qualities too.”

“What mother leaves her own child without housing?” Michael didn’t give up. Perhaps he hoped to awaken his mother’s conscience.

But Victoria looked at her wayward son without regret.

“Do you think it was easy for me? I supported Katie morally for several months, constantly texted, called, walked with the twins. Once I visited them. The three of them in a small room. There’s no space to walk between the beds. Then I realized I couldn’t sleep peacefully until I return the apartment to Katie and the kids. I have all the documents, and I have full right to do whatever I want with my property. It remained to formalize the gift deed and change the locks. So now I’m a guest here, not the owner. I don’t even have keys to this apartment. I come to play with grandchildren. And you were breaking into someone else’s home five minutes ago. Katie has the right to call the police if you don’t leave yourselves.”

Michael turned red with anger. He understood that legally he couldn’t do anything anymore.

“And also, son, I changed my will. Now your share in the inheritance has noticeably decreased. I say this now so it’s not a surprise later.”

“But, Mom, how could you? I’m the first-line heir. Everything should go to me. What do Vera and Tony have to do with it?”

“So if I leave everything to you, the grandchildren get nothing. I only understood this now. They have the right to get their shares from grandma. No one to take care of them except me. The father turned out to be a rare jerk, though it’s bitter for me to realize.”

Victoria barely held back tears. Michael and Emma were silent. They didn’t understand what to do now, where to go.

“Mike, I’ll tell you honestly. I look at Emma and understand her beauty won’t save your marriage. Appearance gets boring quickly, and inside this girl there’s nothing: no values, no desire to create a full family. You mentioned having kids from her, but didn’t notice how she winced at those words. She won’t give birth to you. She’s geared only to take and consume. If you don’t get on your feet quickly, she’ll leave you. She needs a rich man, not a worker. And you’ll be alone again. I see through your Emma. And about Katie? Yes, I was wrong. Thought she was unworthy of you. But no… You turned out lower than her. Maybe after my action I lost a son, but gained a daughter. I see she’ll be good support for me in old age. And grandchildren won’t abandon me. She raises them honest and responsible. Yes, son, wanted to offer tea, but I understand you still need to decide where to spend the night. Finding a rental apartment isn’t quick. And grandchildren are waiting for me. I can only wish you luck in the new stage of your life…”..

The uninvited guests with suitcases stepped out the door. Victoria leaned her back against the door and closed her eyes, trying to calm down. The conversation with her son and daughter-in-law was hard for her.

“Maybe it wasn’t worth it? They’re in shock from losing the apartment,” Katie’s uncertain voice sounded next to her. “It seems cruel. And people from the road, long flight, hungry. Could have let them catch their breath.”

“And how else with them? They thought they were right. There’s no conscience in this Emma at all. Commanding from the threshold. So the boomerang returned to them. They have money in the account. They’ll rent an apartment, get out. Mike wanted to leave you in even bigger mess. So don’t pity him. He’s full of strength, everything ahead. He’ll value what he earns with his labor. And Emma’s arrogance will decrease. And if she doesn’t hold up, let him understand what he lost in you. We’ve lingered here in the hallway. Noise is coming from the bedroom already. The rascals will turn everything upside down,” the grandmother laughed.

A couple of weeks later, Emma realized that a rental apartment and unemployed husband didn’t suit her. Dreams of ideal life shattered against everyday life, family quarrels, and financial instability. She began preparing escape routes. Met a new successful suitor, packed her suitcase while Mike was at an interview, and disappeared.

Finding the farewell note, the man understood his mother was right about his new wife. Emma was interested only in good financial position, not him. He decided to follow Mom’s advice and restore relations with the former family.

Katie immediately understood that her ex-husband was left alone. He never called her himself after that fateful evening. The woman would have been glad for his apologies then, but now she didn’t need them. She wasn’t ready to let a traitor back into her life. Even the notion that kids need a father lost its power. The twins need a responsible stepfather, not a dad who kicked them out for a pretty skirt.