I thought my relationship with Jake was perfect.
Until his mother showed me who she really was.
Jake and I had been together for three years, and when he proposed, I felt like I was living in a dream. We had a cozy apartment, a love that felt unbreakable, a mischievous cat named Cami, and big dreams of a future together. Everything seemed to be falling into place.
Then, my grandmother passed away.
Losing her shattered me. She had practically raised me, filling my childhood with warmth, wisdom, and unconditional love. Even in her last days, she made sure I knew how much I meant to her.
“Layla, my child,” she once said, squeezing my hands gently. “You’re my mini-me. From the moment you were born, I knew you were special. I will always take care of you, even after I’m gone.”
And she did.
She left me $500,000.
I never expected it. I wasn’t ready for it. Honestly, I had no idea what to do with that kind of money. But when Jake’s mother, Denise, found out?
She had plenty of ideas.
A week after Jake told his family about my inheritance, we were at Sunday dinner at his parents’ house. Denise pulled me aside, her usual sweet but calculating smile on her face.
“Layla, sweetheart,” she cooed, pressing an envelope into my hands. “I know losing your grandmother has been difficult, but it’s time to move forward. The sun keeps shining, darling.”
I smiled, expecting a heartfelt letter or something sentimental. But when I opened it, my stomach twisted.
It was a list.
A demand list.
Gifts I was expected to buy as Jake’s fiancée before I could be “fully accepted” into their family:
- A $10,000 Cartier bracelet for Denise, “as a symbol of appreciation.”
- A brand-new car for Jake’s younger sister, Elena. “Family supports each other, and you know, Elena needs a car.”
- A $20,000 “loan” to Jake’s parents so they could renovate their kitchen before our wedding.
- A Rolex for my father-in-law.
- A fully paid family vacation for ten people, first-class flights included.
- A monthly “family contribution” of $2,000 to show my “commitment to the family.”
I blinked at the list, my face burning. Surely, this was a joke.
“You’re joking… right? This is just one big prank?” I let out a small, nervous laugh.
Denise tilted her head, her smile never wavering. “Oh, honey, this is just what’s expected of you. You’re about to marry into this family, and we take care of each other. You’re lucky to have this opportunity.”
Lucky?
My grandmother had just died, and this woman was treating my inheritance like a lottery win?
Then she said the words that sealed her fate.
“If you really love my son, you’ll do this.”
I didn’t argue. I didn’t storm out. Instead, I forced a sweet smile.
“Oh, Denise,” I gushed, “I totally get it. You’re right. Family takes care of family. I’d love to do this—for you, for everyone. Maybe I’ll even throw in a pair of gold cufflinks for Jake.”
Her eyes gleamed with greed. “I knew you’d understand, sweetheart! Now, let’s eat some pie.”
Later that night, I sat across from Jake in our tiny apartment, the envelope lying between us like a loaded gun. Cami curled up on the carpet, purring softly.
“I said yes,” I said hollowly. “I told your mom I’d do it. And you sat there and just ate pie.”
Jake blinked. “Oh. Well… that’s good, right?”
“Is it?” I let out a bitter laugh.
“Babe, you know how my mom is. It’s just a gesture more than anything.”
A gesture.
“That’s what she called it too,” I murmured. “A gesture to prove I’m worthy. A gesture that just happens to total over a hundred grand.”
Jake sighed. “She didn’t mean it in a bad way. It’s just… you suddenly have all this money, and my parents are struggling, and—”
“They’re not struggling, Jake!” I snapped. “Do you think I wouldn’t trade every cent of it just to have one more day with my grandmother?”
Jake looked uncomfortable. But he didn’t argue. He just rubbed the back of his neck like I was the problem.
I took a deep breath.
“You know what? You’re right. I’m overthinking it.”
His face lit up with relief. “Exactly! It’s not a big deal.”
I nodded. “I’m going to bed. You fill Cami’s bowl.”
In my head, I was already planning.
The next Sunday, I showed up at Denise’s house with “gifts.” She was practically vibrating with excitement as I handed out the packages.
To her? A Cartier box.
She gasped as she opened it… only to find a plastic bracelet from the dollar store.
To Elena? A toy car.
“I thought this was more your speed, Elena,” I said sweetly.
Father-in-law? A fake Rolex.
For the family vacation? A pamphlet for a budget bus tour of the city.
And that $20,000 loan? A Monopoly “bank loan” card.
Denise’s smile vanished. “What the hell is this?”
I batted my eyes. “Oh, I thought I’d start with symbolic gifts. You know, just a gesture to show I’m serious about the family.”
Her face turned red. “This isn’t funny.”
“No, Denise,” I said, leaning in. “What’s not funny is demanding I buy my way into your family like some outsider paying a membership fee. I’ve been in this family for three years. And you’re acting like I’m a stranger.”
Jake sighed. “Babe, you’re overreacting.”
“No, Jake. Your mother tried to manipulate me into handing over my inheritance like I owed it to them. And you let her. That tells me everything I need to know.”
I took a deep breath and dropped the final bomb.
“Oh, and don’t worry about our engagement. Consider it canceled. Consider us canceled. I’m done.”
Gasps filled the room. Denise looked like she might faint. Jake? Stunned.
“Wait, what?!” he sputtered.
I slid my engagement ring off and placed it on the table. “Find someone else to fund your family, Jake.”
And with that? I walked out.
Back home, I packed Jake’s things. When he walked in, he froze, eyes darting to the neatly packed boxes.
“Layla… what is this? Are you seriously kicking me out?”
“Yeah,” I said simply.
“We can work this out!”
I sighed. “We did talk, Jake. And you made it clear where you stand. So now, I’m making it clear where I stand.”
His final message weeks later? “My mom got carried away, but we can move past this. I love you.”
I never replied.
Instead, I used my inheritance to buy a beautiful home. One that no greedy in-laws would ever step foot in.
Best investment I ever made.
