My mother-in-law spent years making my life miserable. I tried everything to get along, but nothing worked—until she dragged me on a strange last-minute trip. One night in a run-down motel, I found out the truth she had been hiding, and it changed everything between us.
Everything about my husband was perfect, except for his mother. Eliza was what people called a monster-in-law. And please, don’t think I didn’t try. I really, truly did. I smiled when I wanted to scream.
I offered help even when she brushed me off. I asked about her life, her favorite things, her memories with Mark.
I hoped we could find something to connect over, even something small. I wanted peace, maybe even friendship.
But when every attempt was met with, “Oh, Mark’s ex never did it this way,” “You are doing everything wrong. Mark will leave you soon,” and “Listen, maybe you should find someone else and stop ruining my son’s life,” well, I’m sorry, but anyone’s patience would eventually run out.
After hearing things like that again and again, I stopped trying. I thought ignoring her would help. But it only made things worse.
“You don’t respect me,” she accused. “You’re trying to turn my son against me.” Then she threw the final blow: “You’re a cold witch.” That one stayed with me.
I had cleaned every inch of the house. For two whole weeks, I scrubbed the floors, washed the windows, and dusted every surface.
My back ached, but I kept going. I knew she would find something to criticize, so I tried to give her no reason to complain. No crumbs, no fingerprints, no crooked picture frames.
“Are you ready?” Mark asked, grabbing his keys to head to the airport.
“I’m never ready,” I sighed, “but I always manage.”
“It’ll be fine,” he said, giving me a quick kiss.
Fine. Sure. It had been fine before. It would be fine again—once she left. I just had to survive a few days. I had a small bottle of calming pills in my drawer. I might need them.
This was Mark’s idea, after all. And I got it. It mattered to him. Especially now. I was five months pregnant, and we were finally ready to tell her.
This was not our first try, and all the previous ones had ended in heartbreak, so we were very careful with this pregnancy and waited to tell anyone until we were sure everything was going well.
I heard the front door open. Right away, I put my hand on my belly. It was a quiet, natural move, but I knew why I did it.
God, I was already trying to protect my child from that woman. I stepped into the hallway and forced a smile.
“Welcome,” I said.
Eliza stepped inside, took off her coat, and glanced down at the floor.
“Oh, Leah, you’re home,” she said. “You could have at least put your shoes away. They’re right in the middle of the hallway.”
My sneakers were by the door. Not in the middle. But I knew it wouldn’t matter.
“I guess I didn’t have time,” I said, trying to keep calm.
“Some people just never learn,” she replied. “Don’t worry. Maybe you’ll learn one day. Maybe.”
I bit the inside of my cheek. I wanted to say something sharp. Instead, I rolled my eyes and looked away.
Mark came in right after her.
“Can I get you some tea, Mom?” he asked. He gave me a look. He’d heard the tone.
“Yes, I would love that,” Eliza said sweetly to him.
We moved into the living room. She sat down on the couch like she owned the place. I sat in the chair nearby. I didn’t want to sit too close.
Eliza looked at me and frowned.
“So you’re not even going to make your mother-in-law a cup of tea?”
“Mark offered,” I said. “He knows how to make tea.”
“You’re a woman, Leah. You should be doing it. That’s just how it is.”
I sat up straighter. “We live in the 21st century. Women are not servants. I’m not less of a wife because I didn’t make tea.”
Eliza crossed her arms. “I didn’t say you were a servant. I just thought maybe, once in your life, you’d show some respect.”
I opened my mouth, then stopped. There was no point. I let out a breath. “Fine. Believe whatever you want.”
Mark came in with the teapot and two cups. He placed them down and sat beside me.
“Mom, we have something to tell you,” he said.
“You’re getting divorced?” Eliza asked, smiling like that would be the best news.
I groaned and rubbed my face.
“No,” Mark said. “We’re having a baby.”
Eliza gasped. “Oh! A grandchild? I’m going to be a grandmother!”
She jumped up and hugged Mark. Then she turned to me and hugged me too. I froze. It was the first time she had ever hugged me.
She was sweet the rest of the day. Not one insult. Not one complaint. It felt strange.
That night, she came to me. “I want you to come on a retreat,” she said.
“I don’t think that’s a good idea.”
“I already booked it. We leave tomorrow.”
“What? Seriously?”
She didn’t answer. She just walked away.
All evening, I walked around the house and complained. I picked up things. I put things down.
I talked without stopping. Mark sat on the couch and listened. He nodded now and then.
“She forced me,” I said. “She didn’t ask. She told me.”
Mark looked calm. “Maybe she wants to fix things,” he said. “Now that you’re pregnant, maybe she wants a fresh start.”
I stopped and stared at him. “What do I have to do with it?” I said loudly. “This baby does not erase everything she’s done.”
Mark put his arms around me. “It’ll be okay,” he said softly.
I had no idea that the trip would lead to a truth that would change our relationship forever.
