My Future Mother-in-Law Humiliated Me with a Cruel ‘Test’ — But Life Had Other Plans for Her

My Future Mother-in-Law Made Me Bathe in a Basin Outside to ‘Test’ Me – Karma Found Her in the End

Cleaning, cooking, etc. and then I had to take a bath in an outside basin due to a broken shower. Then, everything changed when I heard a phone call.

Over the phone, my future mother-in-law crooned, “We’d love to get to know you better,” A peaceful retreat at our lake cottage. Nothing ostentatious.

From the other side of our flat, Josh gave me the thumbs up when I looked over my shoulder. My chest constricted as he smiled eagerly.

This was the best opportunity to spend more time with my future family because we had been engaged for three months.

“That sounds lovely,” I said in a tone that matched hers. “We can’t wait.”

My stomach dropped when I got out of Josh’s car three days later.

Like something from a long-forgotten horror film, the lake mansion towered over us. We entered the room, and the first thing that hit my nostrils was an earthy, rotten scent.

Josh’s mother emerged from what I thought was the kitchen, using a dishrag that had seen better days to wipe her hands.

She embraced Josh and said, “There you are,” before turning to face me.

She gave me a thorough examination before she wrinkled her nose as though I were the one with the scent.

“Oh, we didn’t have time to clean,” she remarked in a voice as hollow and phony as canned whipped cream. “Will you mind lending a hand? You know… given that you’ll be family.”

Josh jumped right in. “We just arrived, Mom. “Perhaps we could move in first?”

“Nonsense,” she said, dismissing him. “We can unwind sooner if we can make this place livable. Cleaning materials are located beneath the sink.

Josh gave me a pitying look, but I smiled back and replied, “No problem. I’m glad to assist.

After three hours, I knelt next to the toilet and used an old brush to scrape the rim.

I heard the characteristic pop of a cork through the open window. Josh’s father, his mother, and Josh himself all started laughing. I got up and entered the living room. While I worked, the three of them were lounging on the porch!

Through the screen door, his mother called, “You’re doing such a good job, sweetie,” “We really appreciate it.”

My jaw hurt from gritting my teeth so tightly.

I was hungry by dinnertime, and the place was as clean as it would be for a few hours. To inquire about dinner, I went into the kitchen.

“We’re grilling tonight!” Denise declared. “Hope you know how to work a barbecue — we like our women capable.”

As though it were a MasterChef task for a contestant, she handed over a dish of raw meat. Burgers, poultry, and steaks were marinated in a pungent garlicky and soy-sauce-like fragrance.

Josh made contact. “I’ll help—”

“No, no,” his mother cut him off and waved him away. “Give it to her. We must determine whether she can continue our family’s customs.

I felt as though I was taking on a ceremonial burden when I accepted the tray.

With one hand, I held my hair back while flipping hamburgers. With a glass of wine in her hand and a tiny smile on her lips, Josh’s mother was observing me through the kitchen window.

This has nothing to do with housekeeping or dinner. Watching me dance was the purpose of this.

I eventually voiced the question that had been bothering me since we got there after supper, still smelling like Lysol and charcoal.

“Could I take a quick shower?”

Something suspiciously like amusement glistened in Josh’s mother’s eyes.

She said, “Oh, sweetie,” extracting the words like honey from a jar. “The shower in the house broke. We have a washbasin out back, so don’t worry. You can fill it up using a hose. Even a small privacy curtain is present.

As if she were doing me a favor, she stated it. It was like giving me the opportunity to take a bath as if it were 1862.

Josh moved next to me, his gaze fixed on the ground. He clenched his jaw. He didn’t argue, though.

“Right,” I answered, swallowing my pride for the umpteenth time that day, or so it seemed. “Thanks.”

I hugged my towel to my chest as I padded barefoot across the soggy grass.

Flapping in the wind, the plastic curtain clung tenuously to the metal frame enclosing the “bathing area.”

The shallow, metal basin sputtered water that was chilly enough to make my teeth chatter from the hose.

I fought to contain my tears as I scrubbed in solitude outside.

Spending time with Josh’s family seems like a pleasant idea. Rather, I thought his mother was trying to harm me.

My skin was still sticky from the night air and insufficient washing when I got up early the following morning. In the guest bed, which was in some ways too solid and too soft, Josh slept soundly next to me.

I crept out and went to get some water in the kitchen.

I could hear Josh’s mother talking on the phone in the backyard through a slightly open window. My mouth dropped at what she said.

She laughed like a teenager gossiping, “I made her cook for us, clean the place, and take a bath outside.” “She believes the shower isn’t working. Please. It functions perfectly. I simply wanted to see her personality. A small test. How long does she play Cinderella?

I felt sick to my stomach. With my heart pounding, I moved away from the window.

I wanted to go up against her. The cold water I’d bathed in the night before made me want to march out there and hose her down, but I refrained.

I grabbed a glass and went to the sink to fill it with water.

At that moment, I heard heavy footsteps coming from behind me as someone walked into the kitchen.

Josh’s father said, “You won’t get any water from that sink,” “The plumber’s coming out later to fix it, but for now, try the bathroom.”

I just agreed and didn’t give it any more thought. My concerns were far more pressing.

I determined that talking to Josh about this trip was the first thing I needed to do as I made my way back to the guest bedroom.

I avoided Josh’s mother for the majority of the morning. Just before noon, I was able to get Josh to join me for a stroll around the lake.

Birds sang, the ocean lapping softly against the beach, and the sun filtered through the trees.

He said, “Sorry about all this,” while we were strolling. “Mom can be… intense.”

“Is that what we’re calling it?” I inquired.

He let out a sigh. She is merely protective. wants to confirm that you are the right person for me.

“By making me scrub toilets and cook over an open flame?”

“I know it’s not ideal. However, she will change her mind.

Despite my uncertainty, I nodded.

I noticed a pickup parked in the driveway as we turned the corner approaching the house.

“Looks like we have company,” said Josh.

Almost simultaneously, we heard a scream that was obviously his mother’s voice and broke glass. After sprinting the remaining distance, we rushed through the front door and discovered Josh’s father in the living room, looking confused.

“What happened?” Josh made a demand.

His father gestured to the corridor. “To fix the kitchen sink, the plumber arrived early. Your mother was, uh, getting out of the shower.

the shower. The shower was allegedly broken.

At that moment, a man in overalls with a red face rushed past us with a toolbox.

“Sorry,” he muttered. “I entered the code she provided. I had no idea that anyone was… Really, I assumed the house was deserted.

The sound of hurried activity was followed by the slamming of the bathroom door.

Josh looked at his father. “I thought you said the shower was broken?”

His father appeared perplexed.

“No, the issue has been with the kitchen sink. Why do you suppose—”

At that moment, Josh’s mother showed up, clad in a towel, her hair dripping, her face flushed crimson with shame and rage.

She yelled, “Why didn’t you tell him I was here?!” at her husband.

I was unable to resist. A tiny smile appeared on my lips.

I answered innocuously, “I thought the shower was broken,” but my gaze was fixed on hers.

Josh blinked. looked at his mother. Next, me. Then his mother once more.

He questioned her, “You lied?”

She didn’t respond. Her silence was sufficient proof.

That night, we packed. She didn’t try to stop us from going, and Josh didn’t talk to his mother. The game was ended, so she didn’t have to say anything.

The lake shimmered in the waning light as we lugged our things to the car. The wind made the porch swing creak.

With his knuckles white on the steering wheel, Josh drove quietly.

He eventually apologized, “I’m sorry,” halfway home.

“For what?” I knew, but I asked.

“For failing to defend you. for allowing her to handle you in that manner.”

I touched his arm with my hand. “Some tests backfire.”

He looked toward the road, then back at me. “What do you mean?”

Josh, she wasn’t merely trying to test me. She was also trying to gauge how much you could take. And I believe we both gained valuable knowledge.

Before us, the highway extended, removing us from the lake house and its perverse diversions.

Karma is not a knocker. Unexpectedly and at the ideal moment, she lets herself in.

For the first time this weekend, I felt clean as I rolled down the window and let the wind blow over me.