I Worked Three Jobs To Support My Paralyzed Mother-in-law. I Came Home Early And Found Her Dancing While My Husband Filmed Her. How Should I Get Revenge?
A Shattering Revelation
Arriving at the building’s entrance, I glanced at my watch. I could still make it if I hurried. I opened the door with my fingerprint, intending to sneak in, grab the card, and leave without waking my mother-in-law. But as I pushed open the heavy oak door, a scene froze me in place, the blood turning to ice in my veins.
In the living room, the twangy sound of a Dolly Parton song was blasting from the large flat-screen TV. Helen, my mother-in-law with a half-paralyzed body who the night before needed my help to take every step to the bathroom, was now standing in the middle of the room. She was moving her arms and feet to the rhythm of the music with astounding agility. She held a feather duster, dancing and twirling with a loud laugh without the slightest trace of being someone who had suffered a stroke.
Kevin was sitting on the sofa recording his mother with his phone, laughing his head off.
“Mom, you’re an incredible actress. Yesterday I saw the look of panic on Chloe’s face when you complained about your stomach ache.”
Helen stopped, her hands on her hips. Her voice was strong and clear, completely different from her usual weak, whispering tone.
“I told you, son, you just have to listen to me. Your wife is a fool. Just by faking a little illness, she serves me like I’m a queen. Hey, let’s see what you’re going to do. Amber is about to give birth. Hurry up and switch wives, please. This house needs an heir, not a woman who only knows how to bury herself in work like Chloe. Three years and she hasn’t been able to give me a grandson. She’s worthless.”
I stood motionless at the door, clutching my purse so tightly that my nails dug into my skin. Every word from my mother-in-law was like a sharp knife tearing at my heart. It turned out that all my compassion, my patience, and my generosity were nothing but a joke to them. And Kevin, the man with whom I shared my life, had conspired with his mother to deceive me in such a shameless way.
Kevin replied to his mother with a chuckle,
“Relax, Mom, I’m already planning it. I’m just waiting to get a little more money out of her. Her salary went up this month; the bank notification yesterday showed $5,500. Let her support us a little longer, and then I’ll bring Amber and the baby here. Well, you know what to do. And remember to buy Amber a nice gift basket from that high-end deli so she eats well. My grandson is much more important than your useless wife.”
Helen grimaced, threw the feather duster on the sofa, and walked briskly to the kitchen to pour herself a glass of water with an agility that surpassed that of a young woman. I covered my mouth to keep from sobbing. My world was collapsing.
