Even Though Lucy Was the Perfect Daughter-in-Law and Wife, She Destroyed Not Only Her Marriage but Also Herself

Although Alice was a wonderful daughter-in-law and wife, she has managed to destroy not only her marriage, but herself as well.

Alice grew up in an orphanage, having lost her parents at a young age. At just eighteen, she married, having little idea of what it truly meant to be a wife or how to live within a familyshe had never even had friends who were married. When she moved into her husbands flat in Manchester, she eagerly tried to learn all she could about being the perfect wife. Her main source of wisdom was her mother-in-law.

Of course, Alice had heard plenty of stories warning about the nastiness of mothers-in-law, but she thought that since she had no mother of her own, her mother-in-law might fill that gap and wish her well. In truth, Alice wasnt entirely wrongthe woman had no intent of harming her daughter-in-law, but somehow, things just went awry Her mother-in-law launched into teaching Alice all about family life, and among her many pieces of advice, declared: If your husband is unfaithful, its the wifes fault.

Why, Alice wondered. She had always believed the person who betrayed their vows was at fault. But here, things were different. Her mother-in-law explained that a wife is responsible for her husbands affairs, most likely because she has let herself go and no longer appeals to him as a woman. The woman urged Alice, even once she was older, to keep her figure trim, so Alice wrote in her notebookStay slimand signed up at the local gym.

Alice was already slender, but, in her fear of putting on weight, she began to diet obsessively. Having passed that test, her mother-in-law offered another gem: In a proper family, both partners work.

Alice didnt argueshe wanted to work herself, was even eager for it. She was ready to do anything. When she asked her mother-in-law how she was supposed to manage during maternity leave, the woman responded, Thats your problem, love. Its up to you how you deal with it!

Alice didnt jot this one down, but a few years into marriage, when she went on maternity leave, she also took on a part-time job as a nanny. Alice felt pleased, but her husband and mother-in-law complained that her earnings were paltry.

She thought it was no big deal to spend that modest sum on a haircut now and then, but then came another dictum: Theres no point dressing up on maternity leave! When youre back at work, you can do your hair and make-up, but now you should be saving!

As a result, Alice handed all her wages over to her husband. Throughout all their married years, her mother-in-laws guidance echoed in everything: A good wife does all the housework herself.

And so it wasAlice handled everything herself. She was utterly exhausted but still managed it all. Fainting spells became an everyday occurrence. Often, after putting the youngest to bed at nine in the evening, shed go back down to clean and prep food for the next day. Meanwhile, her husband was already well into his tenth nap of the dayafter all, he made the money and was always so tired.

That Alice wound up in hospital is hardly surprising. She never had the time to pay attention to the aches in her body, missing the signs of a serious illness. She stayed in hospital for more than two weeks, and not once did her husband or mother-in-law visit. Alice was fortunate that she had her phone with her and could call her friend, who then brought her everything she needed. As soon as Alice left hospital, she filed for divorce.