My late mother left me $500,000, which I assumed would provide security. Instead, it made my in-laws want me. One favor led to another until I realized they saw me as a living, talking money machine, not family. I was done fooling them.
I lost more than my mother when she died. My anchor, best friend, and cheerleader left. She raised me alone, worked three jobs to earn my education, and never complained despite life’s challenges.
Marina muttered, “Promise me you’ll stand up for yourself,” shivering in my hand, during our last conversation. Promise not to allow anyone walk over you.”
Promised. But I had no idea when I’d be tested on that vow.
They claim money changes people. They’re wrong. Money doesn’t change people; it reveals them.
Before my mom died, my in-laws barely tolerated me. Dolores, my mother-in-law, could bring out my inadequacies in a very gentle way. She made fun of my cooking, dressing, and speech. In no better shape was my father-in-law Vernon. To him, I was just a shadow, irrelevant in his universe.
“Marina, dear,” Dolores imitated warmth during family meals, suggesting adding spice to the dish. I suppose not everyone can cook like a homemaker.”
Sweet spouse Theo was neutral and passive. His parents were wind, he was leaf.
However, my mother left me $500,000. I became more than Theo’s wife.
I was their safe.
Their initial request for money was so casual you’d assume they were borrowing sugar.
“Sweetie, Vernon’s car is just falling apart,” Dolores observed over coffee, shaking her head. “Poor man can hardly work.”
I frowned. “That’s hard. Can we assist him find an excellent mechanic?
Her eyes shone. In fact, we were considering… With your permission, we could utilize a little portion of your inheritance to buy him a reliable secondhand car.”
Theo, seated beside me, gave me “the look.” Look of “just do it to keep peace”.
I hesitated. “How much are we talking?”
“Only $5,000!” she said.
A little piece. It was for a practical automobile.
So I agreed.
Dolores drove her new SUV into my driveway two weeks later.
My first error. Since I opened the gate, they kept begging.
It became habitual.
“Dolores’s dentistry!”
“Vernon needs vacation!”
“Oh, wouldn’t it be nice to redo the kitchen?”
I got cash from every conversation.
Late one night, I faced Theo in our bedroom. “See how your parents have asked for money five times this month?”
He rarely looked up from his phone. “They’re struggling.”
Struggle for a $15,000 kitchen remodel? These people are exploiting us, Theo.
His face seemed faraway when he met my eyes. My parents, love. Just temporary.”
“Like the car was temporary? Like the dental work was temporary? I felt tears coming. “When does it end?”
“Why are you so dramatic? Just money.”
“Not just money!” I yell. “My mom gave it! The last she could give me! Your parents act like lotto winners!”
Marina, you’re exaggerating. They’re related.”
“Yeah? Some relatives. The type that devours until nothing remains.”
I gave them nearly $40,000 three months later.
Dolores sat me down again. I should have known something was awry when she invited me over for coffee and called me by name instead of “sweetie.”
“Marina, you know Theo mentioned you haven’t bought a house yet,” she began, stirring her coffee like she wasn’t about to breach every limit.
I nodded. Our search continues.”
“Vernon and I had an idea,” she remarked, smiling like a fox at a hen. Considering our desire to retire early and the available funds,…
My stomach twisted.
“Do you want me to buy you a house?”
Waving her hand, Dolores laughed. “Stop being dramatic! No outright purchase! Low down payment. Could it be $150,000?
“$150,000?” Shocked, I gasped. “That’s almost a third of my remaining assets.”
“Oh, but consider it kinship investment!” I fought the temptation to draw away when Dolores patted my hand across the table. Really, what would your mom want? To keep all that money or help family?
I snapped at the mention of my mom. “Don’t involve my mom.”
“Just saying—”
I shakily responded, “My mom worked herself to death to support me.” She sacrificed meals, birthdays, and school functions for my better life. You want to buy a retirement home with her sacrifice?
I anticipated Theo’s intervention. Say “No, Mom.” That’s wild.”
Instead, he said, “Love, it makes sense. We have funds.”
“We?”
The end. I wasn’t his wife. I was unrelated. This cash dispenser had a heartbeat.
I finished.
I sat in bed staring at the ceiling that night, feeling clarity for the first time in months.
I heard my mom say, “Stand up for yourself, Marina.”
As I spoke into the dark, “I’m sorry it took me so long, Mom,” tears fell. But now I’m ready.”
Just saying no wasn’t enough. I would teach them a lasting lesson.
I had a family dinner the next week. His entire family, not just Theo and his parents. Invited his brother, aunts, uncles, and cousins. They existed if they shared our surname.
I stood up, raised my juice glass, and grinned once everyone was seated.
“I’ve been thinking a lot about what to do with my inheritance,” I said, watching Dolores and Vernon drool.
And you’re right. Kin should aid. I’ve chosen to do something special.”
Dolores clapped. Oh, sweetie, that’s fantastic to hear!
Theo nodded with approval. They had no idea what was coming.
“I’ve decided to GIVE AWAY a big chunk of it,” I said.
Everyone seemed to have turned to stone in the room’s quiet.
Dolores’s smile FROZE.
Vernon blinks. Im sorry… Give away?”
“Yes!” I beamingly replied. To single moms’ charity. Because my mother was one. I wouldn’t be here without her sacrifices.”
It was priceless to see their faces fall.
Theo got stiff beside me. Wait…all of it?
I shrugged. “Not everything. I preserved plenty for us, but the rest? It goes to needy women.”
Shaky hands, Dolores. But what about family?
Tilted my head. Not to worry! I kept some for Theo and me. The saying goes, “Give a man a fish, and he eats for a day.”
This is crazy! Vernon yelled, red-faced. “After everything we’ve done for you—”
“Everything you did for me?” I stopped him with a stern voice. You mean treating me like an outsider for years until you discovered my wealth? Imagine demanding thousands of dollars without saying thanks? Like pressuring me to purchase you a house in my mother’s memory?
Vernon’s face grew black. Theo appeared hit by me.
His brother murmured, “What the heck?” under his breath.
After sighing and sipping my juice, I let them stew in solitude.
The aftermath was brilliant.
Dolores was crying because I had “betrayed” them.
How could you hurt us? Crying, makeup ran down her cheeks. “We’re related!”
“Kin?” Bitter laughter. “Kin don’t treat each other like cash machines. Kin never guilts or demands. My mother was related. She offered me everything without asking for anything. Real relatives do that.”
Vernon complained that “kin comes first.” It was rich from a man who hadn’t paid for a holiday meal in 10 years.
Theo raged. “You didn’t tell me?”
So I stared him in the eye. It’s funny how it works. Like when your parents took MY money without asking.”
That left him speechless.
His brother called me selfish, which was funny since he owed Theo $2,000 from last year.
“Enjoy your dinner, everyone!” I said before turning and going to my room.
Sleeping like a baby that night. For the first time in months, I knew they would never ask for money again.
And they didn’t.
A few days later, I viewed a framed photo of my mother in my apartment. Her genuine smile sparkled with pride.
My nonprofit had provided critical aid, job training, and daycare to single moms. Every time I heard about another family recovering, I thought of her.
Theo and I started treatment. He finally realized that his parents were wrong and that he should have defended me. We were trying, but our marriage’s future seemed uncertain.
What about Dolores and Vernon? They just resumed official conversations with me. No more “sweetie,” no requests. Just awkward small conversation and remoteness.
That was alright with me. Because losing their respect gave me my dignity, which was more valuable.
“You’d be proud, Mom,” I muttered to her photo. Finally, I learnt to defend myself. You know what? It feels great.”
Money doesn’t change people; it shows them. It occasionally shows your strength, which is more significant.
That’s worth more than inheritance.
