Chapter 1: The Woman Who Moved In With Two Suitcases
My MIL moved in after a fire and almost drove us to divorce — then I decided to check her house myself.
My MIL once hired another woman for my husband right before our wedding "just so he could remember there are better women out there."
So when my husband told me she was moving into our house two months after I gave birth, I almost laughed.
Then I realized he was serious.
"Mom had a fire.
She needs to renovate, so she'll be staying with us."
I stared at him.
"Did you deliberately tell me this while I was holding the baby so I wouldn't scream at you?"
His silence was answer enough.
"...
Maybe."
"At least you'll have help."
I actually laughed.
"Help?
You mean nonstop lectures about how I'm doing everything wrong?
About how I don't know how to be a mother?"
"Kate, please."
"Fine.
How long is she staying?"
He hesitated.
"I don't know."
Four days after Judy moved in, I was already losing my mind.
According to her, I was bathing Riley wrong, feeding her wrong, changing her wrong, putting her to sleep wrong.
Then one evening, while I was holding my baby, Judy looked at me and calmly said:
"Maybe you should just let me take Riley.
She'd be better off with me."
I froze.
"...
Are you joking?"
"No.
I raised Mark, and you like him, don't you?
I can't even imagine what kind of child you'll raise."
"So, what — you want to take my daughter?"
"Well, yes, dear.
But it would be for the best."
I just stared at her.
This woman had moved into my house four days ago — and was now quietly suggesting I hand over my two-month-old baby.
I didn't argue anymore.
I went straight to the nursery and began packing Riley's things.
"Do you know what she just said?
That we should give Riley to her because she doesn't trust the kind of mother I'll be."
"I'm sure she didn't mean it."
"Oh, trust me.
She meant it."
I took Riley and went to stay with my mom.
Almost three weeks later, Judy was still in our house.
"Come home," Mark said one evening.
"Has Judy left?"
"No.
She says the house is still under renovation."
I let out a sharp laugh.
"Really?
Don't you think that's strange?
How bad was this 'fire' that it still isn't fixed after a month?"
"I don't know.
But I miss you.
And I miss Riley."
"I'm not coming back while she's still there.
It's not my fault she's a bigger priority to you than Riley and me."
His expression hardened.
"You're serious right now?"
"Am I wrong?"
His jaw tightened.
"Maybe you should just file for divorce if that's how you feel!"
My stomach dropped.
"Maybe I will!"
He stormed out.
The next morning, I couldn't stop thinking about Judy's house.
So I left Riley with my mom and drove five hours to Judy's city.
I needed to see this "fire" for myself.
As Judy's house came into view, my hands tightened around the steering wheel.
---
What did Kate find when she got there?
Was there ever really a fire — or was this all a plan to push her out?
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