At our anniversary party, I was surprised when my mother-in-law handed me an envelope. I thought it would be a kind gesture, but inside was a bill charging me for raising my husband. I couldn’t believe it, and my reaction left her completely stunned.
Laura, my mother-in-law, has always been difficult. She acts like she knows everything and isn’t shy about sharing her opinions on any topic. She believes she’s the best mother, but Edward, my husband, has told me how tough his childhood was. Laura often yelled at him and his brother for small things, making them feel unloved and insecure.
When Edward and I first met, he was shy and lacked confidence. I helped him see his worth, and before marriage, he opened up about his painful childhood. His mother’s fights with his dad often ended with her taking out her anger on the boys. Despite this, I didn’t expect Laura to cause problems after we married.
For our second anniversary, we hosted a small party with family and friends, including Laura. After everyone left, she gave me an envelope “just for me.” Inside was a bill listing all the costs she claimed for raising Edward—diapers, school supplies, college fees, and even emotional support, totaling $50,000.
I was shocked. Edward thought it was a joke, but I knew better. That night, I thought about how to respond. The next day, I made my own bill listing all the things Laura had done to make my life harder since marrying Edward—criticisms, backhanded compliments, and therapy sessions. I sent it to her with a note saying, “Since you made me miserable, you can help pay for it.”
Laura hasn’t said a word since. When I saw her, she avoided my gaze. That silence was my victory. Standing up to her was hard, but I’m proud I did it for Edward and myself.
