During our anniversary celebration, my mother-in-law handed me an envelope. Expecting a card or gift, I was shocked to find a bill demanding payment for raising my husband. What I did in response left her completely speechless.
My mother-in-law, Laura, is a woman who always thinks she’s right. She shares her opinions on everything, from cooking to politics, acting like an expert even when she isn’t. She believes she’s the perfect mother, but Edward, my husband, has told me how harsh she was growing up. She often yelled at him and his brother over small mistakes, making them feel unloved.
When Edward and I met, he was shy and unsure of himself. I helped him gain confidence, and before marriage, he shared painful stories about his childhood—his mother’s fights with his dad and how she took her frustrations out on the boys. Despite this, I didn’t expect Laura to be such a challenge after we married.
For our second anniversary, we hosted a small party with family and friends, including Laura. After the guests left, she gave me an envelope “just for me.” Inside was a bill listing all the costs of raising Edward—diapers, school fees, college tuition, and emotional support—totaling $50,000.
I was stunned. Edward thought it was a joke, but I knew it wasn’t. That night, I thought about how to respond. The next day, I created my own bill listing all the things Laura had put me through since marrying Edward—her constant criticism, backhanded compliments, and therapy sessions. I sent it to her with a note: “Since you enjoyed making me miserable, you can help cover the costs.”
Laura hasn’t spoken since. When I saw her, she avoided eye contact. That silence was my victory. Standing up to her was difficult, but I’m proud I did it—for Edward and for myself.
