My Mother-in-Law Told Me to Stay Away. So I Did, and Everything Changed

My brother-in-law, who lived with them, was working there as an executive director, intending to take over the company in the future. My mother-in-law and sister-in-law were housewives supporting their husbands’ lives.

They were living gracefully, attending dance classes and flower arrangement lessons during the day. My sister-in-law also took care of her appearance, and she exuded a confident atmosphere.

My father-in-law was very kind, always smiling at me and making me feel at ease by bringing up various topics so that I wouldn’t be nervous. I was sincerely glad; he seemed like a good person.

At that moment, a certain conversation with my father-in-law broke the harmonious atmosphere.

“Amy, I heard that you work at the same company as Ethan. Are you a contract employee there?”

“No, I originally joined the company as a regular employee after graduating from university just like Ethan.”

I replied. The company where Ethan and I work is a major corporation known to the public as a top-tier company.

It’s a popular company among job seekers, and getting hired as a regular employee is challenging. Luckily, I was hired as a new graduate after college.

“Oh, is that so? Huh. In that case, where did you graduate from?”

My father-in-law asked.

“I graduated from Harvard.”

I answered.

“That’s amazing! You must be really talented. I’m so proud that someone as talented as you is marrying into our family.”

He said.

“Amy’s awesome, isn’t she? She is very hard working. She’s competent at work and quick-witted. I’m so happy to be marrying her.”

Ethan added. My father-in-law and Ethan praised me so much it was embarrassing.

In fact, I went to a top-tier university in the U.S. and I studied hard during my high school years, even at the expense of my sleep. My parents, who didn’t have much money, worked hard to get me through college.

I was determined to attend a good college, land a decent job, and someday definitely give back to my parents. I’ve been striving towards that with all my heart.

Caught up in a lively conversation with the two others, I noticed that my mother-in-law and sister-in-law had gone quiet. I thought, oh no, and I desperately sought a change in the conversation.

Noticing a beautiful arrangement of fresh flowers on the table before me, I asked,

“Mother-in-law, that flower arrangement is lovely. Did you put it together?”

To which she responded somewhat gruffly,

“What? As if you, a professional working in a top tier company, have any interest in housewives’ time-killing activities.”

Confused, I wondered why her demeanor had changed when just a moment ago she was speaking with a smile. As if in agreement with my mother-in-law, my sister-in-law chimed in, saying,

“From your point of view, Amy, with your high education, you probably think all us uneducated housewives can talk about is flowers.”

I hadn’t meant it that way at all. Not knowing what to say, I felt a lump in my throat, nearly bringing me to tears.

Ethan quickly interjected,

“Hey, both of you stop that. Amy isn’t the type to look down on people.”

Ethan’s words were a comfort, but I couldn’t bring myself to apologize or say anything, so I just kept my head down. Glancing around, I noticed my father-in-law, who had been drinking since noon, snoring and passed out on the sofa.

My brother-in-law was clearly bored, yawning and scrolling through his phone, making the atmosphere in the room really intense. Then, at Ethan’s suggestion,

“Maybe it’s about time we wrap this up,”

I was finally released from that uncomfortable atmosphere. On our way back to the station, Ethan apologized.

“Sorry about today. My mom and sister have a high pride. They’re particularly sensitive about their high school graduate status.”

Chapter 2: The Wedding Day Betrayal and the Final Warning

From what Ethan told me later, my mother-in-law had been working at a flower shop right after high school, where my father-in-law had spotted her and fallen in love at first sight. My mother-in-law was certainly a beautiful woman.

She had many customers coming into the flower shop just to see her. Every day, my father-in-law would frequent the flower shop, and after relentless pursuit, they started dating and eventually got married.

Even now, it seems my father-in-law is always wrapped around my mother-in-law’s little finger, always doing as she says. My sister-in-law was also a beautiful woman.

She and my brother-in-law were high school classmates and had reconnected at a reunion in their early 20s. Upon seeing how beautiful she had become, my brother-in-law fell head over heels.

After he persisted in wooing, they ended up together. My brother-in-law, too, seems to do whatever his wife tells him to.

Sure, I have a high level of education, but I couldn’t understand why they felt insecure. They were both beautiful women who had kind husbands who would always protect them.

I ended the day feeling unresolved and a little gloomy. A part of me started to question,

“Is marriage going to be all right?”

leaving me with lingering discomfort. In any case, we’ve received approval for our marriage from both families, so we started to plan our wedding.

Even though the unease hadn’t entirely disappeared, I felt that we would understand each other better if we talked more.

“Don’t worry, I’ll always be on your side, Amy.”

Ethan said. I was able to stay positive after nearly six months of lengthy preparation.

With the final push at hand, it was finally the day before our wedding when Ethan’s cell phone rang. It was from his mother.

After having a brief conversation over the phone, Ethan let out a surprise shout.

“What? Why? Huh? We… we can’t just change it! Hey, hold on!”