My In-laws Stole My Late Mother’s Ring To Fund Their Stocks While I Paid All Their Bills. I Spent A Month Pretending To Be The Perfect Daughter-in-law While Secretly Finalizing My Divorce And Their Eviction. Was I Too Cruel To Leave Them In A Tiny Apartment?

“lauren you find a new one i want one who is young and strong i want to train her from scratch” she said.

“of course Helen i’ll start looking next week” I replied, thinking that soon they would be the ones needing to look for work.

The climax came at the end of the month, just a week before payday. They held a family meeting without me, of course.

I came home a little later on purpose and could hear their animated voices from outside. I didn’t need to eavesdrop; I could already guess the content.

The next day, Mrs. Helen approached me as I was tending to a small garden I had started on the balcony.

“lauren your father and I want to talk to you” she said.

I stopped what I was doing and greeted her with a smile.

“yes Helen what’s wrong” I asked.

“you see Matt’s siblings need more money for their final year projects and our monthly allowance well with the rising prices we think it needs to be increased” she said.

“also I’ve been thinking of joining a new social circle with very important people the entry fee is considerable but the prestige is enormous” she added.

She mentioned a figure that, although I was prepared for it, still took my breath away. Inside, the sum was almost half my salary.

It was their final test. How far could they push me?

I didn’t answer right away. I looked at the small jasmine pot I had planted myself as a reminder of my mother.

Its flowers were in full bloom and fragrant. I took a deep breath and looked at her, my face showing serious concentration.

“that’s a significant request Helen” I said.

I paused for a moment, seeing the hope in her eyes.

“but for the family I’ll try give me until payday i’ll arrange everything” I said.

Mrs. Helen’s face lit up. She even touched my shoulder—an incredibly rare gesture of affection.

“i knew you were a good girl matt is lucky to have you” she said.

When she left, my smile vanished. It was enough.

This was the irrefutable proof of their limitless greed. I had given them enough rope to hang themselves.

The last few days before the big day were spent perfecting everything. The attorney finalized all the documents.,

The post-nuptial agreement, which clearly stated that all assets acquired through my own efforts were my exclusive property, was ready to be signed.

The official certificate from the pawn shop was also in a pristine blue folder. It was successfully tracked by the lawyer, confirming that a ring matching the specifications of my mother’s had been pawned by Mister Arthur.

I had even rented a small, modest apartment as their future residence. I didn’t want them to end up literally on the street.

I wanted them to experience a simple life earned through their own efforts.

I also prepared a resignation letter from my position as the family treasurer. It was written in formal, cold language that detailed all the expenses of the last year along with the notes of their requests I had been taking.

The night before payday, Matt seemed nervous.

“lauren are you really going to give them that much money tomorrow it’s a huge amount you’ll barely have anything left for yourself” he asked.,

I looked at him, and a small spark of hope ignited in my heart. Maybe he would finally defend me.

“what should I do Matt tell me please your mother has already asked for it” I said.

He was silent for a long time, looking at the floor.

“i’ll try to talk to them to reduce the amount” he said.

That wasn’t a defense; it was a negotiation. My last hope was extinguished.

“don’t worry Matt tomorrow everything will be clear and everything will change” I said.

He looked at me, confused, but I just gave him a small smile before turning off the light.

I couldn’t sleep. My heart pounded, imagining the scene the next day.

I was scared, of course, and anxious, but behind it all I felt an immense relief. It was like someone who has held their breath for a long time and can finally let it out.

Tomorrow, the masks would fall. Tomorrow, the real Lauren would appear.

The Falling of the Masks

The day arrived: Friday, payday. The atmosphere at home was different.

Normally they acted normal, but today Mrs. Helen seemed especially dressed up.

Mr. Arthur was busy checking something on his phone, perhaps information on the stock market or real estate. They looked like hunters who could already see their prey.,

I got dressed for the office as usual, but with the mindset of a general going into battle.

I received my salary transfer notification on my phone while still at the office. The amount, as usual, was substantial, but this time not a single cent would go to them.

Upon returning home, I could feel their expectant gazes from the living room. They were even already seated neatly on the sofa.

Matt was by their side, his face tense.

“ah you’re back we were waiting for you.” Mrs. Helen greeted me in an almost friendly tone.

“sorry Helen i had to finish a couple of things,” I replied calmly.

I placed my briefcase on a chair. Then, without changing my expression, I took out a thin brown envelope from inside.

It was very different from the thick envelope I used to give them. I placed it on the table in front of them.

“here you go for this month’s expenses” I said.

Mrs. Helen grinned from ear to ear and snatched the envelope with a swift movement. She tore open one end and pulled out its contents: a few bills and a letter.,

Her eyes counted the money quickly. The smile on her face vanished, replaced by an expression of confusion and a budding rage.

“what is this this isn’t even a quarter of the usual it’s not even enough for daily groceries” she shouted, waving the bills.

Mister Arthur jumped up and snatched the envelope from his wife. He looked at the contents and his face darkened.

“lauren what is the meaning of this this isn’t a joke” he said.

Matt looked terrified.

“lauren there must have been a mistake in the count how is this possible” he asked, trying to mediate.

I stood tall, my hands at my sides. My voice was flat and calm, as if presenting a report at the office.

“there is no mistake Matt that is the amount the three of you deserve” I said.

“what we deserve” Mrs. Helen shrieked, jumping to her feet.

“and who do you think you are to decide what we deserve you’re nothing but the daughter-in-law your obligation is to respect and support your in-laws” she added.

Now, all the emotions I had repressed for months, all the bitterness, and all the pain were carefully arranged into sharp, cold words.,

The room’s atmosphere grew heated, but my own aura became even colder.

“obligation” I said slowly.

“let’s talk about obligations a daughter-in-law’s obligation is to help not to be squeezed dry a family’s obligation is to respect one another not to exploit” I added.

“where is the proof that we exploit you we only ask for what is ours” Mr. Arthur spat.

“here is the proof” I said, pulling the blue folder from my briefcase.

I showed them the copies of the report from the attorney and the pawn shop.

“a gold ring an heirloom from my deceased mother with a jasmine engraving was pawned by you Arthur on the 22nd of last month in your name the value was considerable you said for an investment” I said.

In that instant, the color drained from their faces. They went from anger to a deathly pallor.

They were stunned. Matt stared at the document with wide eyes.

“dad is this?” he asked.

Mr. Arthur tried to defend himself.