After Layla inherits, her prospective mother-in-law sees dollar signs and gives her a list of gifts she “owes” the family. Layla has a lesson to impart. She gives them a lasting gift as betrayal and love shatter.
My relationship with Jake was ideal.

Until his mother revealed herself.

After three years together, Jake proposed, and I was overjoyed. Our tiny life was lovely. We had a cozy apartment, an unshakable love, Cami the cat, and hopes of building something amazing.

Then my granny died.

It broke hearts.

Grandmother was all I aspired to be as an adult. She essentially reared me, thus her loss hurt. But she always said she wanted to take care of me.

“Layla, my child,” she said. Among my grandchildren, you’re my favorite. You were my mini-me from birth. My girl, I’ll always care for you. Even when I die.”

And she did.

She left me $500,000.

It surprised me. Of course not. I was unprepared.

I had no idea what to do with that money. When Denise, my future mother-in-law, learned?

She suddenly had many ideas. Not one involved me.

It happened a week after Jake notified his family about my inheritance.

Denise drew me aside during Sunday dinner at his parents’ house with her usual lovely but calculating smile.

I have something for you, dear. I realize your grandmother’s death has been hard. Now is the time to move on. Layla, the sun shines,” she cooed, handing me an envelope.

I grinned, expecting a touching letter or family heirloom. A sentimental thing.

Instead?

It was list.

No ordinary list. Demand list.

Gifts I was Jake’s fiancée and expected to buy. Before I could be “fully accepted” by their family.

Each ridiculous request made my stomach twist as I perused the page.

A $10,000 Cartier bracelet: to show my love for my mother-in-law.

Jake’s younger sister gets a new automobile because “family supports each other, and you know, Elena needs a car.”

Jake’s parents received a $20,000 loan to refurbish their kitchen before our wedding.

Rolex for my father-in-law.

A 10-person, fully-paid family vacation. Includes first-class flights.

A $2,000 monthly “family contribution” to indicate I was “committed to the well-being of the family.”

My face burned.

I laughed hesitantly as Denise cut the pecan pie for dinner. Elena scooped ice cream. Jake refilled the wine. My father-in-law searched for a toothpick.

“You’re kidding, right? Just a gigantic prank?

Denise inclined her head, smiling steadily.

“Oh, honey. You should expect this. You’re marrying into this family, and we care for each other. Glad you got this chance.”

Lucky?

My granny died. This woman was acting like I won the lottery?

What the hell happened?

Her words sealed her doom.

“If you love my son, do this.”

No argument. My temper didn’t flare.

I tried my hardest to smile sweetly.

“Oh, Denise,” I exclaimed. “Totally understand. You’re right. Families care for families. Love to do this. For you and everyone. I might even give Jake gold cufflinks.”

Her eyes sparkled with greed.

“I knew you’d understand, sweetheart,” she added. Slice of pie, Layla. Enjoy!”

I took the pie, and we sat silently. Denise mentioned car models Elena could like. She promised to mail me bracelet links.

I smiled the whole time.

Later that night, I sat across from Jake in our tiny apartment with the envelope on the coffee table like a loaded g.u.n. Warm and content, Cami slept on the carpet.

I accepted Denise’s insane list. Smiled. Nodded. Acting as if everything made sense. But inside?

I raged inside.

And hurt.

Since my granny, family, died. I was meant to mourn, honor, and learn to live without her.

Instead, I sat with a demand list like I had won the lottery and not lost the last unconditional lover.

Wanted to weep.

Because of the list and because it proved something I didn’t want to confess.

They didn’t consider me family.

Not really.

Because if they did, they wouldn’t exploit my loss. They wouldn’t profit from my suffering.

I swallowed hard, touching my temples.

“I said yes,” I said hollowly. “I promised your mom. You ate pie while sitting.”

Jake looked surprised and blinked at me.

“Oh. That’s good, right?

“Is it?” I laughed bitterly, breathlessly.

Babe, you know my mom. He scowled, “It’s mostly a gesture.

I lifted my eyes to him. The gesture.

“That’s what she called it too,” I whispered. A show of my suitability for marriage. To indicate I value ‘family’. A gesture worth over a hundred grand.”

Jake moaned and rubbed his neck like I was frustrating. Like I was the issue.

“Look,” he replied calmly, infuriatingly. “She didn’t mean it negatively. It’s just… Your unexpected wealth is causing my parents to struggle.

I recoiled.

“They’re not struggling, Jake,” I said. Do you think I don’t get nauseous thinking about where this money came from? That I wouldn’t give up everything for one more day with my grandmother?

Jake was decent enough to seem uncomfortable.

I persisted.

“If your family had treated me like a daughter, I would have helped them. I would have spent my inheritance on important things. Dreaming of a kitchen renovation is easy.”

Jake gazed at the ceiling.

But Jake, it didn’t happen. Your mother didn’t love me. She brought a list.”

Jake inhaled and shook his head.

Baby, you’re overthinking. Simply old-fashioned. She wants to know you’re family-oriented.”

I stared at him, my grief and wrath merging into something sharp.

“You know what?” I whispered.

“What?”

You’re right. I overthink it.”

“See?” he breathed happily. “No big deal.”

I nodded.

Going to bed. Feed Cami fresh water in her bowl.”

I planned in my brain. In case this family requested a gesture, I would.

The following days were spent preparing.

Next Sunday, I brought gifts to Denise’s house.

She glowed with delight. She clapped like a child on Christmas morning.

One by one, I distributed boxes or gift bags.

To her? A Cartier box.

A plastic bracelet from the dollar shop was found inside, shocking her.

To Elena? A toy car.

“I thought this was more your speed, Elena,” I remarked pleasantly.

Father-in-law? A false watch.

For family vacation? Family bus tour booklet for a cheap city tour.

And that $20,000 loan? A Monopoly “bank loan” card.

Denise smiled no more.

She snaps, “What the hell is this?”

I nonchalantly batted my eyes.

Symbolic gifts were my first thinking. Just a sign that I care about the family.”

Her face reddened.

This is not humorous. Not at all.”

I leaned across the table.

“No, Denise. I don’t like how you make me feel like an outsider who must pay to join your family. I joined this family three years ago. You’re treating me like a stranger!”

Finally, Jake said.

Baby, you’re overreacting again! He sighed.

I said “No, Jake.” “I’m not. Your mother pressured me to give them my inheritance. You didn’t shut it down when it happened? Or when we discussed it at home? That tells me everything.”

I breathed deeply and dropped the last b.o.mb.

Jake, don’t worry about our engagement. Consider canceled. Cancel us. No more.”

People gasped.

Denise appeared faint.

Jake? Shocked.

“Wait, what?!” he gasped, waking up.

I removed my engagement ring and placed it on the table.

Jake, get someone else to fund your family.”

Then what? I left.

I didn’t weep.

I considered it. Perhaps after three years of love, making a life, and saying yes to forever… That I’d feel more than this peaceful numbness.

But no. I felt exhausted.

I heard the key turn in the door with half the boxes packed. I didn’t glance up as Jake entered.

Seeing the apartment froze him.

His clothes, shoes, and gaming console were neatly packed into boxes I acquired from a garage sale on my way home.

“Layla,” he whispered.

I folded another of his shirts, placed it on top, and closed the box flaps.

“You’re back earlier than expected,” I said. Denise didn’t want you for dinner? She mentioned roast steak and potatoes before giving them their gifts.

“What…what is this?” yelling at the boxes, he was in complete terror. “Are you…?” Are you evicting me?

I finally looked at him.

“Yeah,” I replied.

“Layla, let’s discuss.”

“We did talk, Jake,” I groaned. I detailed what your mother did. I confessed my pain. You ignored it.”

His jaw tightened.

“I didn’t dismiss it! I believed we could go on. For a while, you may not attend family dinners. but…”

Really laughed.

“You thought I could forget your mother tried to extort me? That she profited from my suffering?

He clutched his sides.

OK, she got carried away. We don’t have to toss anything out.”

Inhaled deeply.

Jake, stop talking. Loved you. Really did. But when you let your mother treat me like an ATM without defending me? That’s when I realized I liked our dream more than our reality.”

“Please, Layla, stop.”

But it was over.

I pushed the last package into his arms.

“Crash at mom’s. Cami will stay with me.”

He recoiled.

Jake ruined my phone for weeks. Apologies. Excuses. Pleading.

His final message?

“My mom got carried away, but we can move on. I love you.”

I didn’t reply.

What about Denise? She attempted smearing me online. She labeled me a gold digger, etc.

I didn’t care. I didn’t care.

I bought myself a gorgeous mansion with my wealth that my hungry in-laws would never enter.

I made the best investment ever.

Inspired by true events and people, this work is fictionalized for creativity. To preserve privacy and enrich the story, names, characters, and facts were changed. The author does not imply any resemblance to real people, events, or places.

From barabola.com