I Saved for Our Dream Home, but My In-Laws Insisted It Belonged to Them

I Saved Every Penny for Our Dream Home but My Husband’s Parents Demanded It Instead

Arabella saved for her ideal home for years, but she never thought her own relatives would try to embezzle her money. She was forced to decide between maintaining the peace and retaining what was properly hers as a result of this betrayal.

I can still clearly recall the precise moment I came to the realisation that my marriage was based on sand. It wasn’t one of the usual lazy Sundays when I worked extra and my husband Nathan played video games. Not even when he dismissed my advice to begin saving money on his own.

No, it was the night his parents arrived at our rental flat with smug grins, eager to take possession of my dream home money.

I had been saving every dime for our future house for three years. I brought PB&Js as my colleagues indulged in gourmet meals. During their tropical holidays, I took on additional nursing shifts.

Every time I walked by the vending machine in the break room, I reminded myself that every $2 saved brought us one step closer to our goal.

My friend Darla used to say, “Girl, you need to live a little,” as she ate her $18 crab salad. “You can’t take it with you when you die.”

As I patted my dejected sandwich, I would respond, “But I can live in the house I buy with my money while I’m alive,”

Nathan didn’t care to save anything. He was always stretched out on our couch with a controller in hand and takeaway containers strewn all over him when I returned home from a double shift.

I would advise, “Baby, you really should start saving too,” while cleaning up his mess. “Even a little bit helps.”

He would hardly take his eyes off his game. “We have time. In any case, you’re really skilled with money. Or, my own favourite: “Baby, what’s mine is yours. Why worry about it?

I’d say, “Because it’s our future,”

He would simply shrug. “And you’re doing a terrific job with it. That explains why we make such a strong team.

I should have recognised the warning signs in such responses. He was at least demonstrating to me his lack of ambition. He was essentially telling me that he didn’t give a damn about us.

However, love has a way of rendering you colourless.

I had just completed a 12-hour shift at the hospital that fateful evening. My feet hurt in my old shoes, my scrubs smelt like antiseptic, and all I wanted was a hot shower and a good night’s sleep.

Rather, when I opened our door, Nathan’s parents, Barbara and Christian, were in our living room, appearing as though they owned the space.

As I moved deeper into my apartment, Barbara sat on my couch like it was a palace, her immaculately manicured nails tapping against her knee.

She said, “Let’s talk about your house fund,” without introducing herself.

“What?”

With a knowing sneer on his lips, my father-in-law stood next to her. “Across town, we discovered a larger house. It’s a pretty lovely place. With four bedrooms and three bathrooms, this house is ideal for entertaining. His eyes glinted as he leaned forward. “Since you’ve got all that cash saved up, we figured, why not keep it in the family?”

Their words were difficult for my head to digest. “I’m sorry, what?”

“Oh, don’t play dumb, dear,” Barbara remarked, dismissively waving her hand. “We are fully aware of the amount you have saved. We’ve been informed by Nathan. She grinned, but it was cold and toothy. “Remember that we allowed you to stay in our home for the first year following the wedding? You owe us.

I clenched my jaw at the thought of that year. I had done all the cooking and cleaning, and they would “let” us stay there in exchange for rent. “You owe me? For what purpose? I prepared all of the meals, got the groceries, and cleaned the whole house—”

Barbara interrupted, raising her eyebrows. “That’s not enough,” Barbara said. “I honestly believed you were brought up better than this, Arabella. Family supports family.

I retorted, “Family doesn’t demand money from family,”

Christian gave a snort. Barbara, look at her. being arrogant with her depressing nursing income. You would think we were requesting a kidney.

I looked to Nathan in the hopes that he would stand up for me. Rather, a childlike smile appeared on his face as he cleared his throat and moved in his seat. “Actually… since they’re using your savings anyway, I figured I should do something for myself too.”

Nevertheless, using your savings… as though it were finalised? “Do what?” was all I could think to say, though.

Like a child at Christmas, his face broke into a broad smile. “Get a motorbike! A good Harley, one of those. I’ve want one all my life.

“A motorbike,” I stated unequivocally.

“Yes! Indeed, the timing couldn’t be more ideal. Everyone benefits: I get my bike, Mom and Dad get their house.

“And what do I get?” The query was hardly audible over a murmur.

Barbara rolled her eyes. “You are able to assist your family. Isn’t that sufficient?

The room whirled a little. I tried to keep my composure as I stared at these three individuals who seemed to view my years of sacrifice as an ATM or checking account that they could just withdraw from. What the devil was going on, really?

When I finally said, “This is my money,” I tried not to shake. “I made money. I saved money. For our house of the future. Not for Nathan’s toy or your new home.”

Nathan’s grin dimmed. Bella, hurry up. Don’t act that way.

“Like what? Are you upset that I’m not being asked before you give away my money?

Barbara sighed. It’s more than simply your cash. You have a spouse. He owns what is yours.

“Funny how that only applies to my savings and not to the responsibility of actually saving it,” I said.

Nathan got to his feet, his face hardening in a way I didn’t often see. “Remember, the house fund is also in my name. Combined account?”

I felt sick to my stomach. He was correct. Since we were married and that’s what married people do, we made the account a joint account when we first set it up.

forcefully, “I won’t agree to this,” I said.

Nathan folded his arms. “You’re not required to concur. You have till the end of the week to transmit the funds, or I will. Your decision.”

I fixed my gaze on the three of them, their expressions fixed. To get here, they had conspired for an unknown amount of time. However, they were not alone in their ability to devise a strategy.

I grinned and let out a slow exhale. “You know what? You’re correct. I will handle the transfer myself.

Immediately, the tension in the room subsided.

Barbara smirked as her posture eased. “I knew you’d see reason,” she remarked. Her husband was giving her a sign of approval.

Nathan put his arm around my shoulders and squeezed while grinning. “My girl is that. You always deliver. Alright, I’ll take my parents home by car. See you later.

Soon after, they departed, already talking about Nathan’s ideal motorcycle’s attributes and paint colours for their new home.

As they got into Nathan’s car, I watched from the window of our flat, smiling and rejoicing in their triumph.

I had, however, bought myself some time. And all I needed was time.

For the first time in three years, I called in ill to work the following morning. Nathan didn’t know. He was snoozing contentedly.

I went to the bank as soon as it opened and created a new account in my name. When I told the banker what I wanted to accomplish, his eyebrows went up.

“That’s a substantial sum to move,” she observed as she glanced at me through her glasses.

My response was, “It’s my life savings,” “And I need to protect it.”

All of the cents had been transferred by midday. After that, I went to a lawyer’s office that I had looked into the previous evening. Sandra has a reputation for managing complicated financial matters in divorces.

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“Let me get this straight,” she remarked, pressing her legal pad against her pen. “Your husband and his parents were planning to take your savings without your consent?”

Sort of. “Whether I like it or not,” Nathan responded, he would send the money.

“So, you’ve moved the money already?”

I gave a nod.

“Wonderful move,” she nodded. “But I’m going to need all your statements, and let’s talk about what comes next.”

I was happy that I had kept all of the bank documents I had ever received.

I played my part for the remainder of the week after I had made my plans. I fixed dinner when I got home from work and acted like nothing was wrong.

Nathan occasionally mentioned motorbike models or enquired as to whether I had yet to transfer funds to his parents’ account, indicating that he was happy with himself.

I said, “I’m handling it,” “Don’t worry.”

“Okay,” he said, nodding. “I believe it’s best that they also receive the money for the bike. In order to surprise you later, I’ll accompany them to purchase it.”

I answered, “Sounds good,” and resumed my household tasks.

By Friday, Barbara and Christian were back at our door, almost bursting with excitement.

“Well?” Barbara enquired without even saying hi. “Is it finished? Today, we will make the last offer.

Nathan touched me on the shoulder. “Baby, the deadline has arrived. Have you completed the transfer?

I inhaled deeply as I observed their eager expressions. “No, I didn’t.”

For a moment, none of them spoke.

“What do you mean, you didn’t?” Christian’s voice was dangerously low.

“I mean I didn’t transfer the money, and I’m not going to.”

Nathan tightened his hold on my shoulder. “We discussed this. I would if you hadn’t done it.

I said, “Go ahead,” and moved away from him. “Check the account.”

He reached for his phone and opened our banking app, his face going white. As he entered his password, his fingers shook. His eyes then grew wide.

Whispering, “It’s… empty,” he said.

Anger twisted Barbara’s face. “What have you done with it?”

Just “I protected it,” I said. “From people who think they’re entitled to what I’ve worked for.”

“You can’t do this!” Nathan’s face flushed as he yelled. “That’s my money too!”

I chuckled. “Is it? Show me a pay stub or transfer that demonstrates your contribution. You once forewent purchasing a video game in favour of investing in our future. You made one sacrifice.

My father-in-law’s face twisted in anger as he pointed a finger at me. “You thieving little ungrateful one! following all that we have done for you.”

“What exactly have you done for me?” Calmly, I asked.

“We let you live in our house!” Barbara let out a cry.

I stated, “You charged us rent,” instead. “I also took care of all the housework. Thus, we’re even, in my opinion.

I opened the paperwork Sandra had prepared while they looked at one another, perhaps trying to think of anything else to do. I pressed the manila packet containing the divorce papers against my soon-to-be ex-husband’s breast and disclosed, “And I didn’t just transfer the money, I’m leaving you.”

Nathan took hold of my arm with one hand and the envelope with the other. “Divorce? Wonderful! Then I will seize all of your money that you owe us. You are aware of that, aren’t you?

At that point, I took out my folder, which contained three years’ worth of detailed documentation detailing every additional shift I had worked, every wire or deposit I had made to the house fund, and every bill I had paid to keep us afloat.

I was aware that he would be thoroughly destroyed once he produced his records, which would only reveal the money he spent on hobbies and enjoyment rather than on contributing to our account.

“Try it,” I urged, using the folder to fan myself. “With all of this, you’ll end up owing me money.”

At last, he took a step back and opened the packet containing the divorce papers, his nose wrinkling. His parents watched him closely. They would only see my desire for the things I contributed to this marriage and my prospective contributions.

He could keep his terrible furniture and the lease on this flat.

“You’re divorcing your husband over money?” Barbara made the accusation.

“No,” she was told. Because YOU ALL intended to take from me, I’m divorcing him. Don’t be the victim; I simply defended myself. doesn’t fit you.

As they stood there, their lips twisted and their faces flushed, I went to the bedroom and came out with a little suitcase that I had packed the previous evening.

“You packed already?” Nathan enquired.

I answered, “Yes, I’m done with you,” “With a walking red flag, I’ve wasted enough time. You ought to have anticipated this.”

Panic replaced Nathan’s rage. “Wait, Bella. We can discuss this. Perhaps we were hurried and overly harsh—”

I gestured to the documents he was holding and stated, “No amount of niceness or patience now will make me change my mind,” “I suggest you read those carefully or have your lawyer call mine.”

Barbara called after me in a high-pitched voice as I made my way to the door. “Where do you anticipate travelling? You can’t simply walk away.”

I made one final turn around. “Watch me.”

I held my head high as I walked out that door. When I finally took a moment to really enjoy the springtime breeze, it hit my face as I packed my suitcase into my car.

My future was back in my hands, my dream home fund was secure, and although though I would have to spend some money on a new place to live, I knew that without having to deal with an irresponsible husband, I would be able to save a lot more.