When I mentioned having something in the oven that will fill the room w/a pleasant aroma...that is not a trick. It is to leave him w/a pleasant memory of your cooking...nothing more. Cooking something delicious is not to encourage him to sit down and eat w/you...but rather...a positive thought of what he's leaving behind...a darn good cook.
As for dressing nicely and wearing perfume, that is for you to make you feel better and more confident when he arrives. It also will provide him w/a pleasant memory of how you looked and smelled. No trick to win him back, but you do want him to leave w/positive thoughts of what he's leaving behind...not negative ones, i.e., the same applies to conversations.
The things that I mentioned to do are not to win him back...but leave him w/positive thoughts in spite of the fact he's very negative now. Answer this...if you were in a room w/someone who was a negative Jane...would you have positive thoughts about her when you left again? Not likely.
Dressing nicely states that you are taking care of yourself and have pride and respect for yourself. You can put on a nice pair of jeans and top and look fantastic or you can put on old painting jeans and look like a slob...which would you prefer to be remembered by?
Please try to remember, this is a business deal now and truly no one wins, but you sure can protect yourself the best way possible when it comes to the division of the assets.
As for your MIL, I find it interesting that all of sudden she's texting you quite a bit. Maybe she's aware that he son has moved out and wants to her your side of the story. However, I would stick to just answering her questions about the animals, neighbors and work. I wouldn't discuss what is going on w/her because blood is thicker than water and right now, this situation is just between the two of you.
Sit quietly, the answers will reveal themselves when you least expect them to. The past is gone, the present is a gift and you need to focus on today, allow the future to reveal itself when it is ready.
