After Emma inherits, her prospective mother-in-law sees dollar signs and gives her a list of gifts she “owes” the family. Emma has a lesson to impart. She gives them a lasting gift when treachery and love end.
I thought my Liam relationship was ideal.
His mother revealed her genuine self.
After three years together, Liam proposed, and I was overjoyed. Our small life was sweet. We had a cozy apartment, a deep love, Luna the cat, and hopes of building something better.
My grandmother died.
It broke hearts.
My grandmother was everything I aspired to be as a child. Losing her was painful since she reared me. But Mom always promised to look after me.
“Emma, my sweet girl,” she said. I cherish you most among my grandchildren. From birth, I knew you’d be my mini-me. My girl, I’ll always protect you. Even when I die.”
And she did.
She left me $500,000.
It surprised me. Absolutely not. I was unprepared.
I had no idea what to do with that money. But when Margaret, my future mother-in-law, learned?
She got loads of thoughts suddenly. Not one was about me.
It happened a week after Liam notified his family about my inheritance.
Margaret drew me aside over Sunday dinner at his parents’ house with her typical fake-sweet look.
Honey, I have something for you. I understand your grief about losing your grandmother. Now is the moment to move forward. Emma, life continues on,” she whispered, handing me an envelope.
I grinned expecting a note or family heirloom. Something significant.
Instead?
It was list.
No ordinary list. Some demands.
Gifts I was Liam’s fiancée and expected to buy. Before I was “fully welcomed” into their family.
My gut turned as I skimmed the page, seeing each insane request.
This $10,000 Cartier bracelet shows my love and gratitude for my mother-in-law.
Liam’s younger sister Sophie gets a new automobile because “family helps each other, and you know, Sophie needs a car.”
Liam’s parents received a $20,000 loan to renovate their kitchen before our wedding.
Rolex for my father-in-law.
Fully paid 10-person family vacation. Includes first-class flights.
A $2,000 monthly “family support” to demonstrate my “seriousness about the family’s well-being.”
My face heated up.
I laughed halfheartedly as Margaret cut the apple pie for dinner. Sophie scooped ice cream. Liam poured more wine. My father-in-law needed a toothpick.
“You’re kidding, right? Just a gigantic prank?
Margaret smiled steadily as she tilted.
“Oh, honey. You should expect this. You’ll join this family, which cares for each other. Lucky you to get this chance.”
Lucky?
My grandmother died. This woman acted like I won the lottery?
What was up?
Her words sealed her doom.
“If you love my son, do this.”
No argument. I stayed.
I tried my hardest to grin.
“Oh, Margaret,” I murmured softly. “Totally understand. You’re right. Families care for families. Love to do this. For you and everyone. Maybe I’ll get Liam gold cufflinks.”
Her eyes sparkled with want.
“I knew you’d understand, honey,” she said. Emma, here’s pie. Enjoy!”
I took the pie and we sat silently. Margaret mentioned car models Sophie could like. She promised to mail me bracelet links.
I smiled throughout.
Later that night, I sat across from Liam in our small apartment with the envelope on the coffee table like a weapon. Luna slept peacefully on the rug.
I accepted Margaret’s ludicrous list. Smiled. Nodded. Pretended it made sense. But inside?
I felt enraged within.
And hurt.
Because my real grandmother died. I was meant to grieve, honor her, and learn to live without her.
Instead, I sat with a demand list like I’d won a prize and not lost the last person who loved me forever.
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.
My fingers were on my temples as I swallowed hard.
“I said yes,” I said, sounding empty. “I promised your mom. You ate pie while sitting.”
Liam blinks at me like he didn’t see that coming.
“Oh. That’s good, right?
“Is it?” I laughed sharply and bitterly.
Babe, you know my mom. This is simply a gesture, nothing serious,” he frowned.
I looked at him. The gesture.
“That’s what she called it too,” I whispered. A show of my suitability for marriage. A gesture that costs over $100,000.”
Liam groaned and rubbed his neck like I was too hard.
“Look,” he stated too calmly. “She didn’t mean it negatively. It’s just… You have money, yet my parents are struggling.
I recoiled.
“They’re not struggling, Liam,” I said. “Do you think I don’t feel sick thinking about where this money came from? That I wouldn’t give up everything for one more day with my grandma?”
At least Liam appeared uneasy.
I persisted.
“I would have helped your family if they had treated me like family. I would have cheerfully spent my inheritance on important things. New kitchens aren’t hard to want.
Liam stared at the ceiling.
But Liam, that didn’t happen. Your mother confronted me rudely. She brought a list.”
Liam exhaled and shook his head.
Baby, you’re overthinking. She’s traditional. She wants to confirm your family commitment.”
My anguish and anger condensed into sharpness as I glanced at him.
“You know what?” I whispered.
“What?”
You’re right. I overthink it.”
He said, relieved, “See?” “No big deal.”
I nodded.
Going to bed. Luna gets food and water.”
I planned in my brain. In case this family requested a gesture, I would.
The following days were spent preparing.
The next Sunday, I brought gifts to Margaret’s residence.
She was beaming and jumping. She clapped like a child on Christmas morning.
One by one, I distributed boxes or gift bags.
To her? A Cartier box.
On opening it, she was surprised to find a cheap plastic bracelet from the dollar store.
To Sophie? A toy car.
“I thought this was more your style, Sophie,” I added pleasantly.
Father-in-law? A false watch.
For family vacation? A inexpensive city bus tour booklet.
And that $20,000 loan? A Monopoly “bank loan” card.
Margaret smiled no more.
“What the heck?” she snapped.
I blinked innocently.
Symbolic gifts were my first thinking. Just a sign of my family commitment.”
Her face reddened.
This is not humorous. Not at all.”
I leaned across the table.
“No, Margaret. You treating me like an outsider who must pay to join your family is not humorous. I joined this family three years ago. You’re treating me like a stranger!”
Finally, Liam spoke.
Baby, you’re overreacting again! He sighed.
“No, Liam,” I responded. “I’m not. Your mom claimed my inheritance as theirs. And you didn’t stop her? Or when we discussed it at home? That tells me everything.”
I inhaled and dropped the last bomb.
“Liam, don’t worry about our engagement. All done. All done. I quit.”
People gasped.
Margaret appeared faint.
Liam? Shocked.
“Wait, what?!” he gasped, waking up.
I removed my engagement ring and placed it on the table.
“Liam, find 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… I’d feel more than this hollow 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 Liam entered.
Seeing the apartment froze him.
His clothes, shoes, and gaming console were neatly packed into boxes I found at a garage sale on my way home.
“Emma,” he whispered.
Folding another of his shirts, I placed it on top and closed the box.
“You’re back earlier than expected,” I said. Margaret refused to let you stay for dinner? “She said it was roast beef and potatoes before I gave them their gifts.”
“What…what is this?” Panicked, he pointed to the boxes. “Are you…?” Are you evicting me?
I finally looked at him.
“Yeah,” I replied.
“Emma, let’s discuss this.”
“We did talk, Liam,” I groaned. I detailed what your mom did. I confessed my pain. You dismissed it.”
Jaw constricted.
“I didn’t ignore it! I believed we could go on. You may be barred from family dinners for a spell. but…”
Really laughed.
“You thought I could forget your mom tried to extort me? She used my sadness as a shopping list?
He clutched his sides.
OK, she got carried away. We don’t have to toss anything out.”
Inhaled deeply.
Just stop talking, Liam. Loved you. Really did. But when you let your parents treat me like an ATM without defending me? That’s when I realized I liked our dream more than our reality.”
“Please, Emma, don’t.”
But it was over.
I pushed the last package into his arms.
“You can stay with mom. Luna stays with me.”
He recoiled.
Liam ruined my phone for weeks. Apologies. Excuses. Begging.
His final message?
“My mom got carried away, but we can move on. I love you.”
I didn’t reply.
What about Margaret? She insulted 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 decision ever.
