Helping My Husband’s Mom? My Lawyer Had a Shocking Warning Instead

My Husband Asked Me to Bring Dinner to His Sick Mom – On My Way There, My Lawyer Called Me Shouting ‘Go Back Now!’
My lawyer’s desperate call changed everything just as I was on my way to my mother-in-law’s house with freshly made lasagna. “Return home. “NOW!” she yelled. That night’s events revealed the dark sides of two of my closest friends and family members.

I thought I had a fairly solid life. I had the independence I had always desired as a well-paid financial executive.

My fridge was stocked, my bills were paid, and I could afford a few small indulgences here and there. Until the day I learned the truth about my husband, Matt, I thought I had everything under control.

My meticulously planned life fell apart in unexpected ways that day.

Eight years ago, Matt and I met together on a hiking trip that our mutual friends had planned. Without even attempting, he had the ability to enchant a room.

Even though we climbed up difficult terrain, I recall how his effortless smile made everyone laugh. I was certain that I had just met one of the most fascinating persons I had ever met at the end of the weekend.

However, we did not immediately begin dating.

We remained friends for two years, exchanging texts, getting together for coffee on occasion, and sharing tidbits of our life. Even though I thought Matt had a stubborn tendency, he was always a pleasure to be around.

Whether it was the lunch spot we chose or the weekend plans we devised, he had a way of making things go his way. I dismissed it, attributing it to his self-assured nature. Ultimately, no one is flawless.

I married Matt three years after that trekking trip. Despite the setbacks in our friendship-turned-relationship, I believed we were prepared for the next phase.

Yes, he could be annoying at times, particularly when it came to money. He would frequently promise to repay me with his next salary after taking out minor loans from me.

To be honest, I had no problem lending him a hand. It was part of creating a future together, I told myself.

However, I wasn’t ready for the new side of Matt that marriage brought out.

I gradually came to see that Linda, his mother, had a significant influence on him. Matt was strongly protected by her. I frequently thought I was vying for his attention with her.

What about Matt? In any dispute, he would always support his mother. He would always dismiss my worries as exaggerated, which I detested.

He once responded, “She’s my mom, Demi,” when I questioned him about why he valued her viewpoints over mine. She has supported me throughout my entire life. I cannot disregard her.”

His words hurt, to be honest. I somehow persuaded myself that it wasn’t a huge concern, even though I didn’t expect him to defend what he did. Family dynamics are usually complex, after all.

I always ignored such things and continued to believe that things would improve. I hoped Matt would learn to balance his priorities and break the tendency of prioritizing his mother.

However, as time passed, the rifts in our relationship only deepened, and I started to question whether I had been overly naive about the true meaning of partnership and love.

I was unaware that I had yet to witness the worst of it. For me, fate had a much more significant surprise in store.

In hindsight, I ought to have recognized Matt’s warning signs. Despite having a penchant for pricey items, he never appeared to spend his own money on them.

He would frequently “borrow” from me in the beginning of our relationship, making up excuses about money being for investments or kind presents for his mother.

His smile was disarming. “We’re building something together,” he would say.

Warning: I didn’t see a single penny of those alleged investments.

His mother, Linda, on the other hand, was a another matter.

She had a way of telling me that I was never worthy of her beloved son. She would constantly point out defects in each gift we got her, which was what I detested the most.

A few months ago, we thought she would enjoy the new microwave we purchased her.

“It’s nice, but why isn’t it a smart one?” She rolled her eyes as she spoke.

The costly spa day that Matt and I bought her? The masseuse was awful, in her opinion.

No matter how hard I worked, it made no difference. Linda would never stop criticizing.

I made an effort to be the bigger person, though. For Matt’s sake and, yes, for my own as well, I wanted a positive relationship with her.

I believed that if I continued to be kind to her, she would finally change her mind. However, goodwill doesn’t always prevail, does it?

Then there was Matt’s financial behavior.

After we were married, he continued to borrow money. They worsened.

His “investments” were no longer the only reason. There were always Linda-related explanations. When he said, “Mom needs a new recliner,”

Or it could be, “Mom’s birthday is coming up, and I want to get her something special.”

And I would always give in.

I reminded myself that partnerships required compromise and that it was only about the money. Even though it seemed like I was the only one making contributions, I wanted to think that we were working together to create something.

The night that altered everything began just like any other. As far as Matt was concerned, Linda had been feeling ill.

He added, “She hasn’t eaten anything all day,” with a worried frown.

To complete the purchase of the property we had been renting for five years, we were scheduled to meet with the real estate agent that evening.

For us, it was meant to be a turning point. We had spent so much time working toward this ambition. I was eager to sign the paperwork and claim the property as our own.

However, Matt appeared preoccupied. He let out a loud sigh as we sat down to talk over the paperwork.

His words were, “We’ll have to reschedule,” “Mom’s really not doing well.”

“Reschedule?” I inquired. We’ve been anticipating this day for years, Matt. Why don’t we follow up with her after the meeting?

He said, “She hasn’t eaten all day, Demi,” again, but with a stronger tone. “I’ll look after her. Would you mind sharing some of your lasagna with her? She loves it so much, you know.”

“What about the house?” I inquired. “We need to finalize everything tonight.”

Saying, “Don’t worry about it,” he dismissed me. “We can do it another day.”

His tone seemed strange for some reason, but I ignored it. He was only concerned about his mother, after all.

My lasagna was a hit with Linda, despite our disagreements. She was always complimenting the cheesy, oven-baked masterpiece.

I reasoned that it would be worth the effort to make it for her when she was at her lowest if it would help ease our stress. I sighed, pulled my sleeves up, and started working.

I kept thinking about the sacrifices Matt and I had made to save money for the house while the lasagna was baking. To make this goal come true, we had foregone extravagant dinners, canceled holidays, and put in extra hours at work.

For us, the house was meant to be a new beginning.

I wasn’t bothered by the fact that the house will legally be in Matt’s name due to some complex inheritance concerns. Property gained during a marriage was divided 50/50 in the case of a divorce in our state.

Even though I felt a little uneasy about the agreement, I trusted Matt.

I recall that the lasagna was still warm when I got into my car at about six o’clock. Matt informed me that he was unable to join me since he had a work meeting to attend.

My phone buzzed about twenty minutes after I left the house. It was my lawyer, Sarah. Unless there was an emergency, she never called after work.

“Hello,” I said. “What’s up?”

“Return home. “RIGHT NOW!” she yelled into the telephone.

“What? What’s going on, Sarah?”

“It’s Matt,” she declared… “They have a real estate agent with them at your house. You must return right away.”

“What do you mean ‘they’?” I turned the car around and asked.

She said, “Matt and Linda,” in a tight voice. “They’re signing paperwork to put the house in Linda’s name.”

“What the heck?”

She said, “Just get back home now!” and hung up.

My hands were shaking so much that I was having trouble unbuckling my seatbelt when I pulled into the driveway.

The situation inside was worse than I had anticipated.

In the living room, Matt stood with the documents he had been keeping hidden from me. Linda, who was beside him, didn’t appear ill at all.

The real estate agent, meantime, shuffled uneasily. She seemed to regret being a part of this.

“What is going on here?” I insisted.

Matt took a step forward. “Babe, listen—”

“No,” Sarah said as she entered the room behind me. I must have told her that I was going home, and she immediately followed. “Let me spell it out for her since you clearly can’t be honest.”

She then faced me.

“They were about to transfer the house into Linda’s name,” she explained. “Demi, your house. The one you kept for yourself.

Unable to comprehend what I was seeing, I gazed at Matt.

“Why?” I muttered. “Why would you do this?”

Linda’s lips curved into a patronizing smile as she folded her arms.

Saying, “It’s simple,” “I have to defend what is rightfully Matt’s since he has always been my son first. You know, you can’t trust anyone nowadays.”

I couldn’t speak.

“But that’s not all,” Sarah said sharply. “After the agent brought this deal to my attention, I performed some research. Linda has been plotting Matt’s second marriage. The daughter of her acquaintance. They intended to force a divorce, abandon you, and proceed as if you had never been there.

The room whirled, and my chest constricted.

“You have this planned? Alongside her?” I looked across at Matt. “You have my trust, Matt. I did everything for you. Are you even aware of your actions?

Matt stumbled, “It’s not like that,” continuing to look away from me. “Mom just thought it was best—”

“Best?” I interrupted him. “Who is it best for? You? She? Matt, what about me? With you, I created this life. I gave up something for this house. For us. And you were prepared to disregard me as if I didn’t exist!”

“Demi, I—”

“Save it,” I shook my head and snapped. “You don’t deserve my forgiveness, and you certainly don’t deserve me.”

Sarah intervened, putting a reassuring hand on my shoulder. “Don’t be concerned, Demi. We have all the documentation we need to fight this, and the house hasn’t been sold yet.”

I had a weird flash of insight as I turned to go. My life did not end with this. It was merely the conclusion of a negative chapter. And I was prepared to write one that was superior.

The months that followed were a haze of paperwork, laughter, and tears.

Matt’s betrayal made it simple for me to get all I was due, and Sarah assisted me in filing for divorce. Due to his ridiculously meager financial contributions, Matt left with items like a blender and a lamp.

After that, Sarah and I were close friends, and I got closer to her.

The real estate broker who came to the rescue? She became a dear friend of ours as well.

I worked with the same agent to purchase a new home six months later. I didn’t have to give it to a rapacious man like Matt this time; it was all mine.