When Mike’s parents offer him and his family a home, they are over the moon. Mike and Maria have a growing family, and they need the extra space. So, they venture into renovations, making the house a home. But one day, Mike’s parents called, wanting their home back.
When my in-laws offered us a house, we thought it was a dream come true. With three kids and a tight budget, any help came as a blessing.
A close-up of a house | Source: Midjourney
But, let me be honest with you: the house was far from ideal.
“It’s in the middle of nowhere, Mike,” I told my husband when we were sitting on the couch talking about the possibility of moving into the house.
“It’s miles away from the kids’ school and our jobs! We’ll have to leave a lot earlier just to make it on time,” I said, sighing.
A couple sitting on a couch and talking | Source: Midjourney
“I know, Maria,” my husband said. “It irritates me to think that the nearest grocery store is about twenty minutes away. But I don’t want to be ungrateful.”
And I understood that. In fact, their gift had come at the perfect moment. We had outgrown our little two-bedroomed house. It was now cluttered, and our three kids had to share one bedroom.
A cluttered bedroom | Source: Midjourney
“We’ll do it for the kids,” I said, taking his hand. “Whatever happens, we’ll make it work for them.”
“Think of it as a fresh start, kids,” Mike’s mom said when we went over to their home for dinner. “You’ll love the peace and quiet, and the kids will have a lot of space to run about in. This is going to be good for you.”
“Yes, Mom,” Mike said. “We agree with you. We’re looking forward to this new start and just going on a journey together as a family.”
A family sitting at a table | Source: Midjourney
The house itself was a fixer-upper, to put it mildly. There was an entire to-do list of things that needed to be done. The house needed a new kitchen, the wiring needed to be updated, and the bathrooms needed an overhaul.
We knew it would be a big project, but at the end of the day, Mike and I wanted this house to be the home our children grew up in.
“The yard is so big, honey,” Mike told me. “Can you imagine all the birthday parties and even having our kids getting married from here? I love it.”
We poured all our savings into renovating it, making it not just livable but a true home for our family. Our children deserved it.
An outdoor birthday party set up | Source: Midjourney
As things were falling into place, Mike, the tech enthusiast, even set up a state-of-the-art smart home system.
“At least it’s ours,” Mike said, smiling as he showed me how the new system worked. “It finally feels like home.”
A few months went by, and we were settled into our new home. The children adapted beautifully, and Mike and I got closer as a couple. We went on long walks together, and the kids went on picnics together all the time.
Our family had grown closer together.
A picnic set up | Source: Midjourney
Then, last month, my in-laws dropped a bombshell. They decided to sell their current house and buy a lakeside cabin. To fund this new venture, they needed our house back.
What? How? This had become our home.
We were absolutely stunned. They insisted that although they had gifted it to us, they still had a right to take it back. The sense of betrayal was overwhelming.
“They can’t do this,” Mike fumed, pacing our newly renovated kitchen. “We have a letter from them saying it was a gift!”
A shocked couple | Source: Midjourney
My husband and I couldn’t believe it. We had a written letter from them, clearly stating that the house was a gift. We decided to fight back, hiring a lawyer to help us navigate this sudden crisis.
We provided all the documents, receipts, and the gift letter. We were convinced that there had to be some legal ground we could stand on.
“I don’t know what else to do,” Mike said one morning when we were having our coffee together. “I don’t know how we’re supposed to find another place and uproot the kids again. This isn’t fair!”
A stack of paper | Source: Midjourney
Weeks passed as we waited for a resolution. But I was just getting more agitated as the days went on. Mike told me not to do anything until the lawyer got back to us. But I couldn’t wait.
I couldn’t sit back and do nothing while we waited for our home to be taken away from us. So, I spent hours looking at rentals available in the area. I just needed to have options available on hand.
I didn’t know what was coming. And I couldn’t believe that Mike’s parents would willingly put us in this situation.
A woman using a phone | Source: Unsplash
But then, the lawyer did eventually get back to us.
He walked up our driveway expressionless, which immediately made me think that there was no good news coming.
“I’m afraid there’s not much we can do,” he said. “The property was never legally transferred into your names. The documents show them as the legal owners. So, I’m sorry, but Mike’s parents are the owners.”
A man in a suit walking | Source: Midjourney
The news was devastating.
I felt my entire stomach drop.
Mike, furious and heartbroken, suggested we undo all the renovations out of spite.
“They used us,” he said bitterly. “We should take back everything we put into this place.”
But I couldn’t bear the thought. Despite everything, we couldn’t stoop to that level.
“We’re better than that,” I said. “We’ll find another place and make it ours.”
An expressionless woman | Source: Midjourney
So, we packed our belongings and moved into a tiny apartment closer to the city.
It was cramped, but it felt like a fresh start, free from the manipulation of my in-laws.
The kids adjusted surprisingly well, finding new friends and enjoying the proximity to their school and activities.
“I feel like we failed our children,” I told Mike when we were unpacking our kitchen items. “I just hate that they have to share a room again. And bunk beds? You know they hate this!”
“I know, my love,” Mike said. “But it’s just for now. The moment we can move to something better, we will. I promise you.”
A small apartment | Source: Midjourney
Just when we thought that the drama was over, my in-laws reached out to us again. They were struggling with the smart home system Mike had set up.
“We can’t figure out how to use the lights, let alone the heating!” Mike’s dad complained over the phone. “Can’t you come back and help us out here?”
The irony wasn’t lost on us.
An elderly man using a phone | Source: Midjourney
We had made that house livable and even comfortable, pouring our money and energy into it. Now, they were reaping the benefits of our hard work, but they were clueless about managing the systems we installed.
Despite their pleas, there was no way that we were going back.
“No,” Mike said firmly. “The house wasn’t right for us. We’re staying where we are.”
A man holding his phone | Source: Midjourney
The trust was shattered, and the house, with all its tech features, was a constant reminder of the betrayal. Living in the cramped apartment wasn’t easy, but we found solace in the fact that we were free from emotional manipulation.
“This isn’t going to be forever, Maria,” Mike said. “I promise you. I’ll fix this.”
A couple embracing | Source: Midjourney
The experience left us wary of gifts that come with strings attached. We learned that sometimes, what seems like a generous gesture can be a way for others to control your life.
As for my in-laws, they eventually figured out the smart home system, but the damage was done. Our relationship with them has changed irrevocably.
“Please, come over for dinner,” Mike’s mother said. “We miss you guys, and we miss the kids terribly.”
An older woman using a phone | Source: Midjourney
“I’m sorry, Eileen,” I said. “But we’re just so hurt. And you should have known better. You’re a mother; you know how important it is for kids to have stability. And you and Derek took that away from us.”
“Calm down, please, Maria,” she said.
“No, because I don’t think you understand the extent of our wounds. Mike is so disappointed in you both.”
Without another word, Eileen cut the call.
“Oh, well,” I said to myself as I started chopping vegetables for dinner. Mike and the kids would be home soon.
A woman in the kitchen | Source: Midjourney
What would you have done?
If you enjoyed this story, here’s another one for you |
I Accidentally Found Out My Friend’s Husband Was Cheating – I Couldn’t Help but Take My Revenge
Allison decides to hold onto her youthful side as she drives a taxi during her spare time. But one day, her friend’s husband is her passenger. As she takes the man to his destination, he asks for a detour, revealing a side of him she didn’t know. Next, Allison has to decide whether to be good at her job and protect her friend or help show her the truth.
Driving a taxi at 65 years old wasn’t part of my retirement plan, but it became my passion. I had been a writer for a women’s column for the better part of my career, and since retirement dawned, I only wrote a few articles per month.
A person using a typewriter | Source: Midjourney
“Just something to keep the old clogs working,” my editor, Elena, said when I told her that retirement was knocking on my door. “You don’t have to commit to it, Allison. It can be a freelance role, if that’s what you’d like. But just write for us every so often.”
I agreed, what else did I have to do with my time anyway?
But then, the open road, the hum of the engine, and the stories of my passengers kept me going.
“Mom, why?” my son, Darren, asked me. “Like really? Driving people around?”
A smiling man | Source: Midjourney
“You’ll understand the need to do something freeing when you’re older, son,” I told him. “Let me do this while I still can. And what’s better than enjoying what I do?”
Yesterday was one of those days that I’ll never forget because it reminded me how foul people can be.
The previous day, one of my regulars, Jane, called me. She was a lively 55-year-old woman, and over the years, we had become friends.
A smiling older woman | Source: Midjourney
“Hi, Allison,” she said on the phone. “I need a favor.”
“If it involves those croquettes with the peas that you’re trying to get me to eat, it’s a hard pass,” I chuckled. “What do you need?”
“Mike is leaving on a trip tomorrow, and he needs a ride to the airport. I’m going to be babysitting the grandbaby, so I don’t want to disturb her routine.”
People at an airport | Source: Midjourney
Read the full story here.
This work is inspired by real events and people, but it has been fictionalized for creative purposes. Names, characters, and details have been changed to protect privacy and enhance the narrative. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental and not intended by the author.
The author and publisher make no claims to the accuracy of events or the portrayal of characters and are not liable for any misinterpretation. This story is provided “as is,” and any opinions expressed are those of the characters and do not reflect the views of the author or publisher.
My MIL Mistreated My Son from My Previous Marriage When I Wasn’t Around — When I Found Out, I Taught Her a Proper Lesson
Alice always thought her mother-in-law, Linda, was a kind and respectable woman. But when she discovered Linda’s cruel treatment of her 12-year-old son from a previous marriage, Alice planned a public revenge that would destroy Linda’s perfect reputation for good.
I’ve always thought my mother-in-law, Linda, was a good woman. She’s a school teacher, well-respected, and always smiling. It seemed like she loved my sons, Peter, who’s 12, and Matthew, 6. Peter is from my first marriage. His dad passed away when Peter was only four. It was a hard time for both of us, but I did my best to raise him on my own.
A woman hugging her sons | Source: Midjourney
Four years later, I met Greg. He’s kind, soft-spoken, and never likes conflict. He’s a great dad to Matthew, and he tries with Peter, but sometimes he lets his mom, Linda, have too much say in our family. He doesn’t stand up to her. And, well, I never thought he had to. I thought she cared for us all.
Lately, though, something’s been bothering me. Peter has seemed quieter, more withdrawn, especially after spending time with Linda. I’d ask him, “Is everything okay, honey?” and he’d just shrug, “Yeah, I’m fine, Mom.” But I could tell something was off. I didn’t want to push him, so I waited, hoping he’d open up when he was ready.
A sad boy | Source: Pexels
Then one day, I decided to pick up the boys from Linda’s house unannounced. Peter and Matthew were staying there for a few days each week during summer break, and I thought it would be nice to surprise them. I packed up some of their favorite food and a couple of new toys and headed over.
As I pulled into her driveway, I smiled, imagining the boys’ faces when they saw me. I didn’t knock—I never do. It’s family, after all. I reached for the doorknob, expecting to hear laughter or the sound of them playing. Instead, what I heard made me stop in my tracks.
A woman standing by the door | Source: Midjourney
“Peter! I told you to stay in the room and not come out, you little—”
My heart froze. I heard Peter’s voice, small and shaky, “Grandma, please, I’m sorry…”
“I’m not your grandma! Don’t you ever call me that again! You’ll stay in that room until I say you can come out. Understand?”
Then, I heard Matthew. His voice was soft, “Please, Grandma, don’t be mad at Peter. He didn’t mean it.”
A sad boy sitting on a chair | Source: Pexels
I needed to act, but I couldn’t just storm in. I had to be smart about it. My hands were shaking as I reached into my bag for my phone. I pressed record.
Linda’s response was sharp. “You listen to me, Matthew. He’s not your brother, and he never will be. You don’t need to defend him.”
I could feel the anger bubbling up inside me. How could she say such horrible things to my son? To both of them?
A woman holding her phone | Source: Pexels
I stood there, recording everything—the cruel words, Peter’s sobs, Linda’s coldness. My heart was breaking, but I kept filming. I needed to have proof. I had to show Greg. He had to know what kind of woman his mother really was.
Once I had enough, I pushed the door open with a forced smile. “Surprise!” I called out, my voice trembling slightly, though I hoped she wouldn’t notice.
Peter didn’t look at me. He kept his head down, his eyes fixed on the floor. Matthew ran to me, hugging my leg. “Mom! You’re here!”
A boy hugging his mother | Source: Midjourney
“Of course, sweetie,” I said, stroking his hair and glancing over at Peter, who stayed near the door, looking so small and sad.
“Peter,” I said gently, “come here, sweetheart.” He hesitated but slowly made his way over to me. I hugged him tightly, my heart aching as I felt his little body trembling. “Everything okay?” I asked, though I already knew the answer.
Before Peter could respond, Linda jumped in. “Oh, he’s just a little upset about a game we were playing. Right, Peter?”
A smiling middle-aged woman | Source: Pexels
Peter glanced at her, then back at me, his face pale. “Yeah…just a game.”
I swallowed hard, forcing myself to smile at Linda. “Well, it looks like you’ve had a long day. I’ll take the boys home now.”
As I led the boys out to the car, I could feel Linda’s eyes on me. I didn’t say a word, but I knew she knew. And she knew I wasn’t the same trusting daughter-in-law anymore.
A middle-aged woman looking over her shoulder | Source: Pexels
We got into the car, and I drove in silence, my mind racing with what I had just witnessed.
I could hardly keep my fury in check as I drove home. Linda had smiled, played the sweet grandmother, all while my son suffered. My heart pounded in my chest, but I knew I had to stay calm for Peter and Matthew. They didn’t need to see my anger, not yet.
Back home, Peter went straight to his room, and Matthew followed behind. As soon as they were out of sight, I collapsed onto the couch, pulling out my phone to watch the video again. The raw anger in Linda’s voice, her cruel words, echoed in my ears.
A woman looking at her phone | Source: Pexels
I had to do something. I couldn’t just let this go. But how could I expose her without making things worse for the boys?
I didn’t sleep much that night. My mind raced, imagining all the ways I could get back at her. By morning, I had a plan. It wasn’t enough just to confront her. I had to make sure the whole world saw the truth.
A sleepless woman lying in bed | Source: Midjourney
A few days later, I heard through a friend that the school where Linda worked was holding a big celebration where teachers would be honored, and Linda was supposed to give a speech. It was the perfect opportunity. If I timed it right, I could reveal her true nature in front of the entire school.
I transferred the video to a USB drive, feeling a strange sense of satisfaction as I imagined Linda’s face when the footage played. But I knew I couldn’t do it alone. I needed someone who could help me set it up. That’s when I called my friend Sarah, who has always been good with technology.
A woman talking on her phone | Source: Pexels
We made a plan. I’d attend the event like any other parent, sit quietly in the audience, and Sarah would take care of the rest. As Linda walked on stage to deliver her speech, Sarah would play the video for the whole room to see.
The day of the event came quickly. I dressed simply, blending in with the other parents as we gathered in the school auditorium. The atmosphere was festive—students running around, parents chatting, teachers mingling. Linda was there, smiling, laughing, shaking hands with colleagues. She had no idea what was about to happen.
Young children running around in a school yard | Source: Midjourney
As the principal took the stage and introduced the event, I spotted Sarah sitting near the tech booth, giving me a discreet nod. Everything was in place.
“And now, we’ll hear from one of our most respected teachers,” the principal announced. “Please welcome your beloved teacher, Mrs. Rodgers.”
The applause was thunderous as Linda walked up to the microphone, a confident smile on her face. She began her speech, talking about the importance of education, community, and kindness. The hypocrisy of it all made my blood boil.
A middle-aged woman talking on stage | Source: Midjourney
Then, it happened.
Suddenly, the screen behind her flickered, and the sound of Linda’s voice—her real voice—filled the room. “You listen to me, Matthew. He’s not your brother, and he never will be.” Her harsh words echoed through the auditorium.
Gasps filled the room. Parents exchanged horrified looks. Some covered their mouths in disbelief. Teachers, once smiling and proud, were now staring at Linda with shock and disgust.
A shocked woman in the audience | Source: Midjourney
Linda froze on stage. Her face went pale as she realized what was happening. She turned toward the screen, her mouth hanging open in horror. There was no escape. Every hateful word, every cruel insult she had thrown at Peter was laid bare for everyone to witness.
The video ended, leaving a stunned silence in its wake. Then, the murmurs began. Parents were whispering, shaking their heads, outraged. One mother stood up and shouted, “I don’t want her teaching my child!” Others quickly followed, their voices rising in anger.
A woman shouting from the audience | Source: Midjourney
“I can’t believe this! She’s a monster!”
“How can someone like that work with children?”
The principal, looking flustered, hurried to the microphone. “Please, everyone, calm down. We… we will address this immediately.” He shot a panicked glance at Linda, who stood frozen, unable to move, her career crumbling before her eyes.
A panicked principal on stage | Source: Midjourney
Within minutes, parents were demanding that their children be removed from Linda’s class. The school board had no choice but to act swiftly. By the end of the day, Linda was suspended, pending a full investigation. Her once-respected career as a teacher was over.
As I drove home that evening, I felt a sense of relief wash over me. I had done what I had to do. I protected my son, and I exposed Linda for who she really was. It wasn’t easy, but I knew it was right.
A woman driving | Source: Pexels
Peter and Matthew were playing quietly when I got home. I hugged them both, feeling lighter than I had in days. They didn’t know what happened at the school, and they didn’t need to. All that mattered was that they were safe, and Linda would never hurt Peter again.
Sometimes, justice comes in ways you don’t expect. But when it does, it’s worth every moment.
A smiling woman | Source: Pexels
If you liked this story, consider reading this one: I was heartbroken and furious when I discovered my mother-in-law Linda and her friends had devoured my $1000 wedding cake. I couldn’t believe they would ruin my special day on purpose, leaving only crumbs behind. Determined to teach my spiteful mother-in-law a lesson, I started plotting my revenge.
This work is inspired by real events and people, but it has been fictionalized for creative purposes. Names, characters, and details have been changed to protect privacy and enhance the narrative. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental and not intended by the author.
The author and publisher make no claims to the accuracy of events or the portrayal of characters and are not liable for any misinterpretation. This story is provided “as is,” and any opinions expressed are those of the characters and do not reflect the views of the author or publisher.
Leave a Reply