“My Mother-in-Law Calls My Husband Several Times a Day to Wish Him Well”: Husband Claims His Mom Comes First and Owes Her His Support

Living with the constant presence of my mother-in-law, Ariana, in our daily lives has been a challenge that I never anticipated when I married William. Ariana, a 45-year-old woman with a zest for life, has made it clear that her world revolves around her son, and unfortunately, it seems that William feels an overwhelming obligation to reciprocate that devotion.

Ariana divorced William’s father when he was just a teenager, and since then, she has remained single, pouring all her affection and attention into William. She lives alone in a neatly kept house in the suburbs, but her presence is anything but distant. Every morning without fail, William’s phone rings, and it’s Ariana on the other end, wishing him a good day. Every night, just as we settle into our evening, the phone rings again for a goodnight call.

At first, I admired her dedication. I thought it was sweet how she cared so much for William. However, as months turned into years, her daily calls became a symbol of her unyielding grip on William. It wasn’t just the calls; it was the constant advice, the unannounced visits, and the way she managed to weave herself into every aspect of our lives.

William, a gentle and caring man, seems to find this normal. He insists that after all his mother has sacrificed for him, it’s his duty to be there for her, to prioritize her. This sense of duty, however, often leaves me feeling like the third wheel in my own marriage.

One evening, as we discussed starting a family, William hesitated. He expressed concern about how his mother would handle sharing him with more family members. It was a blow I hadn’t seen coming. The realization that Ariana’s needs might always come before our plans for the future was disheartening.

Our relationship began to strain under the weight of Ariana’s involvement. Small disagreements turned into arguments. I felt a growing resentment, not just towards the situation, but towards Ariana and, unfairly, towards William. I tried to discuss setting boundaries, but William saw it as an attack on his mother, which only deepened the wedge between us.

The breaking point came unexpectedly. During one of her visits, Ariana casually mentioned looking into larger houses nearby, suggesting that perhaps we could all live together. The idea terrified me, and I couldn’t hide my dismay. William, caught between us, tried to appease both sides, but the damage was done.

In the weeks that followed, our home grew silent. Conversations were minimal, and the atmosphere was tense. It became clear that William’s loyalty to his mother was unshakeable, and my place in his life was secondary.

Ultimately, I made the painful decision to leave. I realized that as long as Ariana was in the picture, she would always come first, and I could never have the partnership with William that I needed. The love I had for him was deep, but not enough to endure the constant shadow of his mother in every corner of our lives.

As I packed my bags, William didn’t stop me. His apologetic eyes told me he understood, but they also told me he wouldn’t change. I walked out of the house we had shared, feeling a mix of relief and profound sadness, knowing this was the end of our journey together.