My Husband Sent Me to Deliver Dinner to His Ailing Mother — But While I Was on the Way, My Lawyer Called Urgently, Shouting, ‘Turn Around Immediately!’

“We’re building something together,” he’d say with a disarming grin. Spoiler alert: I never saw a single dime of those so-called investments. Meanwhile, Linda, his mother, was another story entirely.

She had this way of making me feel like I was never good enough for her precious son. What I hated the most was that she’d always find flaws whenever we bought her a gift. We got her a new microwave a few months ago, thinking she’d like it.

“It’s nice, but why isn’t it a smart one?” she said, rolling her eyes. The expensive spa day Matt and I treated her to? She thought the masseuse was terrible.

It didn’t matter how much effort I put in. Linda would always find a way to criticize. Still, I tried to be the bigger person.

I wanted a good relationship with her for Matt’s sake and, yes, for mine too. I thought if I kept showing her kindness, she’d eventually come around. But kindness doesn’t always win, does it?

Then there was Matt’s behavior about money. His borrowing habits didn’t stop after we got married. They got worse.

It wasn’t just for his “investments” anymore. There were always reasons tied back to Linda. “Mom needs a new recliner,” he’d say.

Or, “Mom’s birthday is coming up, and I want to get her something special.”

And every time, I’d cave. I told myself it was just money and that relationships required compromise. I wanted to believe we were building something together, even if it felt like I was the only one contributing.Continue reading…