The Counterattack of Stay-at-Home Moms

My dad suddenly collapsed and needed emergency treatment at the hospital, and they required a $100 payment. As a full-time stay-at-home mom for years, I’ve had to rely on my husband, Albert, for living expenses each month. With only about $60 left in my phone balance, I asked Albert, “Can you lend me $100 for Dad’s treatment? I’ll pay you back as soon as he’s awake.”

To my shock, Albert snapped, “No way. He’s not my dad, so why should I give you the money?” Elaine, his wife, even barged into the hospital and yelled at me, “Your dad’s death isn’t my son’s problem. Stop trying to use his money.”

Later, Elaine was seriously injured and ended up in the ICU. I casually said, “She’s not my mom. Just take off the oxygen tube.”

——

The doctor kept pressing me for the payment, and I was frantically trying to unlock my dad’s phone, but it kept saying, “Phone is locked.”

Desperate, I turned to Albert, who was lounging in a chair playing a game and said, “Albert, I can’t unlock Dad’s phone. Can you give me $100 for the payment? The doctor’s waiting.”

Albert gave me a disdainful look and said, “Didn’t I just give you money a few days ago?”

I explained quietly, “That was over a month ago. The $400 you gave us covered our family’s expenses, and I only have about $10 left now.”

Albert raised an eyebrow and went back to his game, ignoring me.

The doctor kept urging me, so I grabbed Albert’s phone. “Stop playing. Give me the money now. Dad needs to be checked.”

Albert, looking annoyed, yanked his phone back and snapped, “No. He’s not my dad. Why should I give you the money?”

My anger flared up, and I wanted to slap him, but I couldn’t. I’ve depended on Albert for years, and Dad needed the payment.

I clenched my fists and pleaded softly, “Can you at least transfer the $400 for living expenses? If we don’t pay, Dad could die. All these years, Dad has treated you like a son. He’s working in this heat to help us. Please, just $100. Save him.”

Tears welled up as I spoke, and people around started to gather. Embarrassed, Albert threw his card on the floor and grumbled, “Here, you just keep spending my money. Marrying you has been nothing but trouble.”

Blushing with shame, I bent down to pick up the card. Just then, Elaine stormed in and charged toward me.