Alessio stood there dumbfounded after I yelled at him. My father-in-law jumped in to attack next.
“What kind of expenses could we possibly have? We eat and live at home. No mortgage, no car loan. Just some groceries here and there—how expensive could that be?”
Then he added, his voice dripping with sarcasm, “I heard your younger brother just bought a new house?”
His glare said it all—he was sure I’d funneled the money to my birth family.
With backup on his side, Alessio started ranting again, demanding both a divorce and his money back.
That was the last straw.
“Fine! Let’s divorce!” I snapped.
“And while we’re at it, let’s go over every last transaction!”
Just as I pulled out my phone to open the bank records, my mother-in-law suddenly stepped forward.
Without warning, she smacked Alessio.
“Don’t you know what kind of person Aisha is?” she scolded.
“She would never steal from her in-laws to support her own family! How can you throw around the word ‘divorce’ so lightly?”
She turned to me, her voice softening as she clasped my hands tightly—just like she had the day I married into this family.
“Aisha, it’s about time you two bought your own home,” she said earnestly. “The house deed won’t have me or your father-in-law’s names on it. You won’t be taken advantage of.”
I remember that first day clearly—how they promised not to treat me like an outsider, how they handed over the family finances as a gesture of complete trust.
She said, “We’ve all decided—none of us are good with money. You’ll take care of it from now on.”
“I even created a family account for you. Everyone’s salary goes in. With our combined efforts, we’ll build a better future together.”
Back then, I was naïve, touched by the spirit of unity and trust. So I agreed without hesitation.
And to be fair, after the wedding, my mother-in-law really did treat me well.
She never once made me do laundry, and took care of all the household chores—inside and out.
But even the kindest people are capable of calculating behind your back.
I yanked my hand out of hers and spoke coldly. “I already transferred the last bit of money to you this morning.”
“If you still don’t believe me, go ahead—sue me.”
The atmosphere at home had become suffocating. So I decided to cut my leave short and return to work.
People may betray you—but money won’t.
However, what I didn’t expect was for Alessio to barge into my office, waving his so-called evidence.
He had pulled up my younger brother’s social media post.
There was a picture of his new house with captioned, [Even if I’m in debt, I’ll keep working hard to build a life.]
Alessio narrowed his eyes at me. “Look at this place. Look at that decor. You think he could afford all that on his own?
If you didn’t give him money, how come you can’t cough up any now?”
“I was wondering why your brother’s life kept getting better. Turns out he’s got a sister who just can’t stop feeding him money!”
He came prepared, with screenshots and “evidence.”
Colleagues gathered, munching on snacks, eating up the drama like it was free entertainment.
“Total doormat sister,” someone muttered.
“Gets married, but still showers her own family with support. Tsk... her husband is screwed.”
Anger surged through me.
I took a deep breath to keep myself from shouting.
My blood was boiling.
“This house was bought with my brother’s own hard-earned money! I haven’t touched a single cent of yours!”
But Alessio didn’t believe me—just like he never believed me before, no matter how many times I explained the family’s spending problems.
“If you didn’t give him money, then where is it?” he shouted. “Hand over the money—then I’ll believe you!”
Round and round we went, right back to square one.
I was exhausted—mentally and emotionally.
The household account clearly shows all the spending. Couldn’t they just look at it themselves?
“I already gave you the last of the money. You people spend every penny you earn—that’s the problem.”
As expected, it went in one ear and out the other.
Alessio jumped to his feet, eyes blazing. “You ungrateful, heartless leech! My mom treats you better than she treats me! She handed over all our money without hesitation—and this is how you repay her trust?!”
