After giving birth to my first children, I thought my husband would start choosing us more over his mother, but that wasn’t the case. This time, he’d chosen her side over me for the last time, so I exposed her for the bully and liar she was.
You’d think bringing home your newborn twins would be one of the happiest moments of your life. For me, it started like that, but it soon turned into an absolute nightmare!
An upset mother with her newborn babies | Source: Midjourney
After three days in the hospital, recovering from a grueling delivery, I was finally discharged and ready to head home with my beautiful twin daughters, Ella and Sophie. I’d imagined this moment for months: Derek, my husband, picking us up at the hospital with flowers, tears of joy in his eyes as he took one of the girls into his arms.
But instead, at the last minute, I got a hurried phone call that changed everything…
An upset woman on a call | Source: Midjourney
“Hey, baby,” my husband said, his voice clipped. “I am so sorry, but I can’t come pick you guys up as planned.”
“What?” I asked, adjusting the swaddle around Sophie. “Derek, I just had twins. What’s so important that you can’t—”
“It’s my mom,” he interrupted. “She’s in bad shape. Hectic chest pains. I need to pick her up and take her to that hospital close to her.”
His words hit me like a bucket of cold water. “What? Why didn’t you tell me earlier? Derek, I need you here.”
“I know,” he said, exasperated. “But this happened suddenly, and it’s serious. I’ll come to you as soon as I can.”
An anxious man on a call | Source: Midjourney
I gritted my teeth, fighting the urge to scream because of how disappointed and frustrated I felt, but I replied, “Fine. I’ll just get a taxi.”
“Thank you,” he mumbled before hanging up.
My husband’s mother lived in a different city, so the chances of him getting back that same day to get me and the babies were unrealistic. Knowing how obsessed Derek was with his mother, he wasn’t going to leave her by herself, hence the taxi.
An upset woman on a call | Source: Midjourney
As the line went dead, my heart sank. I wanted to believe Derek wasn’t being callous, just overwhelmed and a mama’s boy. Still, the disappointment stung. The same mother-in-law (MIL) who insisted we make a separate set of keys to our house so she could help me with the babies was now suddenly unwell.
I tried shaking it off as I bundled the girls into their car seats that their father had dropped off the previous day and got us into a cab.
A woman in a cab with her children | Source: Midjourney
When we pulled into the driveway, I froze. My suitcases, diaper bags, and even the crib mattress were scattered across the front lawn and by the doorstep! A knot formed in my stomach. I paid the driver and stepped out with the twins, glancing around nervously. Something was obviously very wrong…
A messy front yard | Source: Midjourney
I approached the front door, fumbling with my keys while absentmindedly calling out my husband’s name, even though I knew he couldn’t be home yet. The key wouldn’t turn. Confused, I tried again. Nothing. Then I saw it, a folded piece of paper taped to a suitcase.
Get out of here with your little moochers! I know everything. Derek.
My breath caught, and my heart stopped. My hands trembled as I read the note again and again, trying to make sense of it while hoping it was a hallucination. This couldn’t be happening. Not Derek…
A shocked woman reading a note | Source: Midjourney
Not the man who held my hand through every doctor’s appointment, who cried when we heard our daughters’ heartbeats for the first time. Then the worst part of that day began…
Wanting answers, I called him immediately. Straight to voicemail. Again. Voicemail. Panic set in as Sophie’s cries joined Ella’s. I rocked their car seats, forcing myself to think.
A stressed woman holding a phone | Source: Midjourney
“Mom,” I whispered. My hands shook as I dialed her number.
“Jenna?” Mom answered on the first ring. “What’s wrong? Are the twins okay?”
I choked out the words, barely able to hold it together. I hadn’t wanted to involve my mother due to her ailing condition, but I believed this was one of those dire moments.
“Derek… He changed the locks. He threw my stuff outside. Mom, he left this awful note.”
“WHAT?!” Her voice shot up. “Stay there. I’m coming.”
An upset older woman | Source: Midjourney
Minutes felt like hours before she arrived. Mom took one look at the mess and narrowed her eyes, fuming.
“This doesn’t make sense! Derek wouldn’t do this; he loves you and the girls!”
“That’s what I thought,” I said, rocking Ella to calm her cries. “But he’s not answering. And what does ‘I know everything’ even mean?” I asked showing her the offensive note.
“I am so sorry, my darling,” she said while hugging me close. “Let’s go to my place until we can get a hold of your husband, okay?”
An older woman hugging a younger one | Source: Midjourney
She helped me load the bags into her car and whisked us back to her place. After my mother and I dissected what had happened and repeatedly called Derek with no answer, my anxiety spiked. That night, I barely slept.
The next morning, I decided I needed answers. Leaving the twins with Mom, I drove back in her car to the house. The yard was empty, my belongings gone. I knocked on the door. No response. I walked around to the back, peering through the windows, and froze.
A shocked woman peaking through a window | Source: Midjourney
Derek’s mother, Lorraine, sat at the dining table, sipping tea! I banged on the door, and she looked up, startled, almost spilling her tea before she saw me and smirked.
“What are you doing here?” I demanded, banging on the door.
Lorraine rose leisurely and opened it just a crack. “Jenna. You’re not welcome here, didn’t you see the note?”
“Where’s Derek?” I snapped. “Why did he—”
“He’s at the hospital in my city,” she said smoothly. “Taking care of his sick mother.”
A nonchalant older woman standing by a door | Source: Midjourney
I stared at her, disbelief washing over me. “Sick? You’re standing right here!”
She shrugged, her lips curling into a malicious smile. “Maybe I’m feeling better. Miracles happen.”
“You lied to him, didn’t you? You faked being sick!”
Her smile widened. “And?”
My hands balled into fists. “Why? Why would you do this?”
She crossed her arms, her smugness growing.
A smug older woman | Source: Midjourney
“I told Derek from the start that our family needs a boy to carry on the name. But you? You gave us two girls. Useless,” she confessed unapologetically, finally speaking her truth after all these years I’ve been with her son.
Her words knocked the air out of me. I was too stunned to speak, and she took my silence as permission to keep going.
“I knew you’d ruin my son’s life, so I took matters into my own hands. The note was a bit much, but I needed you to believe he wanted you gone. I even ensured he couldn’t call you by taking his phone right out of his pocket when he wasn’t looking. You were supposed to take your things and get out of our lives, but here you are…”
An angry older woman | Source: Midjourney
I couldn’t breathe. This woman had orchestrated everything, lied to her son, and got him to take her to the hospital under false pretenses before sneaking away, locked me out of my home, and stole his phone all because she disapproved of my daughters!
“You threw us out over that?”
“Of course,” she said, unbothered. “I even bribed a nurse at the hospital to keep him there. And it worked, didn’t it?”
I felt sick. “You’re deranged!”
“Call me what you want,” she sneered. “I call it protecting my family. Besides, my Derek always takes my side and will see things my way as usual.”
An arrogant older woman | Source: Midjourney
Her words echoed in my mind as I drove to the hospital where my husband was still waiting. With every mile, my anger grew. How could she justify such cruelty? My hands gripped the wheel tightly, knuckles white with fury.
I knew my MIL was mean, but I didn’t think she was evil! She never approved of my relationship or marriage to her son, always believing Derek deserved someone wealthier and fancier, unlike me.
An upset woman driving | Source: Midjourney
When I reached the hospital, I found my husband pacing in the waiting room, his eyes shadowed with worry.
“Jenna!” he said, rushing toward me. “Where have you been? I don’t have my phone or know your number by heart, so I couldn’t call you!”
“Your mother took your phone,” I cut him off. “She faked her illness and locked me out of the house!”
He froze, confusion and anger flashing across his face. “What? That doesn’t make any sense.”
A man at a hospital | Source: Midjourney
“She set me up, wrote a fake note from you sending me away, and bribed a nurse to lie to you,” I said, my voice trembling. “Lorraine’s at our house, sipping tea like she’s the queen of the world!”
“Wait. What? Why would she…”
“Because our daughters aren’t boys,” I said bitterly.
The shock turned to rage on his face. Without saying a word, he grabbed his keys and stormed out, with me following close behind. When we got home, Lorraine was exactly where I’d left her, looking utterly unbothered.
An older woman having tea | Source: Midjourney
But her smugness vanished when she saw the determined look on Derek’s face.
“Mom,” he said, his voice cold and sharp. “What did you do? I thought you were in the hospital?”
She opened her mouth, likely to lie, but Derek cut her off. “Save it. I know everything.”
“Derek, I was just trying to—”
“You’ve done enough,” he snapped. “You made me abandon my wife and children for a fake emergency! Then you locked my wife, who just gave birth, and our newborn babies out of our home! On top of that, you cut our ability to communicate during such a crucial time by stealing my phone!”
An angry man shouting | Source: Midjourney
“Derek, darling… I just wanted to keep you safe. This isn’t how this was supposed to go,” my MIL replied pleadingly.
“Keep me safe from my wife and children? Who told you I wanted boys? What makes you think my girls aren’t good enough for me just because of their gender? That’s a problem you have, not me, and if you want sons, I suggest you go make them yourself!”
I stood with my mouth agape, having never seen Derek this angry! I won’t lie, a part of me was proud that he was proving himself worthy of me by defending my and the children’s honor. At that moment, I loved him more than ever before!
A happy woman | Source: Midjourney
“Pack your things and leave,” he demanded.
She gaped at him, tears forming. “You can’t mean that. I’m your mother!”
“And Jenna is my WIFE! Those are my daughters! If you can’t respect them, you’re not part of our lives!”
For once, Lorraine was speechless. She stormed upstairs to pack, slamming doors as she went. Derek turned to me, his eyes full of remorse.
“I’m so sorry, my love. I didn’t know.”
I let out a shaky breath, the tension easing just a little. “I just want us to move forward.”
A happy woman with her man | Source: Midjourney
Lorraine left that night. My husband apologized repeatedly, vowing to make things right. And he did. He changed the locks, blocked his mother’s number, and even reported the nurse who had taken the bribe!
It wasn’t easy, but for months we worked on rebuilding our life. One evening, as I rocked Ella and Sophie to sleep, I realized Lorraine had tried to destroy us but only managed to bring us closer together.
A happy couple with their twins | Source: Midjourney
Sadly, Jenna isn’t the only daughter-in-law who has had to face a difficult MIL. In the following story, Michelle’s MIL surprises her and her husband with a DNA test for their son thinking it would finally break them up. But things didn’t play out in her favor, the way she imagined.
This work is inspired by real events and people, but it has been fictionalized for creative purposes. Names, characters, and details have been changed to protect privacy and enhance the narrative. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental and not intended by the author.
The author and publisher make no claims to the accuracy of events or the portrayal of characters and are not liable for any misinterpretation. This story is provided “as is,” and any opinions expressed are those of the characters and do not reflect the views of the author or publisher.
Use these 10 Amazon best sellers to solve icky problems
Need solutions to those pesky, unpleasant problems that seem to pop up at the worst times? Here they are! These gems have been tried and tested by countless satisfied customers. Let’s discover the products that will make life a little smoother.
1. This little silicone drain protector will effectively catch all the hair while you are showering. And it will hold securely in place due to the weighted stainless steel accent. The product is rust-resistant and long-lasting.
The device is a game-changer for hair clogs. It seamlessly blends with your bathroom decor. This little thing will considerably upgrade your shower routine.
Promising review:
- I love this drain protector! I moved and had to find a new drain catcher that could fit over the plug! I was skeptical because the reviews looked 50/50. But trust me, this is exactly what you need. It catches all of my naturally thick hair! — CurlyGirlFaith
2. Detect and clean all the hidden messes with this awesome UV flashlight. No more blindly cleaning carpets and furniture. The superb aluminum construction features a non-slip textured grip. The lighting time is impressive — the device can work up to 20 hours.
This product can also cover larger areas without weakening the light. It will make finding those hidden stains a breeze.
Promising review:
- Do you suspect your carpet has been violated? Don’t buy it if you don’t actually want to know. Sometimes ignorance is bliss. You can’t go back and unsee it, and the glow will be burned into your memory. I will preface this because you know you’re judging, and I don’t blame you.
This was a very unique set of circumstances, and the carpet will be replaced. I foster kittens for a local shelter, and my most recent crew has tenaciously refused to embrace litter box training, probably because they have a weird addiction to violating carpets.
Regardless, I purchased this light to see if my suspensions were correct, and they were. The little monsters were willy-nilly using the carpet to relieve themselves. This flashlight lit up their transgressions very clearly, and while I felt tearing it out was the appropriate solution, if I had been inspired to clean it, I would have known exactly where I needed to clean it. Hope this helps. — Ann Krummel
3. Check out this dirt-catching, double-layered litter mat! Its bottom layer is waterproof — no liquid will go through. The mat is slip-resistant and easy to move. This product keeps our furry friend’s paws clean and prevents any mess from getting on the floors.
The mat is easily washable and comfortable to maintain. The product is also really soft on paws. Some kitties can also use it to have a nap on.
Promising review:
- We keep our catbox for our 2 cats in the bathroom. There is nothing like stepping on little pieces of cat litter on the bathroom floor in the middle of the night and cleaning the random little pieces of litter all the time!
This mat has solved the problem! Almost no litter makes it to the clean floor now! Easy to empty, too! Great product!!! — Rich R.
4. No more smelly sneakers with these banana shoe deodorizers. They prevent and neutralize odor and absorb moisture. And, like real bananas, they will turn brown over time and use (you can use it as an indicator to replace the pair). Perfect for use after hiking, climbing, or cycling.
These goofy bananas are highly effective and long-lasting. They can last up to 6 to 12 months. The pouch is made out of natural cotton fabric. Each banana is filled with salts, minerals, and plant extracts.
Promising review:
- For someone who likes to commute to the city lightly, I usually don’t wear socks when it is extremely hot and humid during the summer days. I’d get home, and of course, my sneakers would reek from a day out!
These shoe deodorizers have saved the day by keeping my sneakers smelling great. I place them as soon as I get home. I usually leave them alone until the next day when going out, and the results are amazing! Smells great. — Neftali
5. Now you can keep your hand out of the toilet while cleaning it! Just use this stone toilet bowl cleaner. It has a long handle made from stainless steel and plastic. The pumice is 100% natural.
The product will serve you for a long time. Don’t forget to rinse the stone thoroughly every time. Easily stored.
Promising review:
- We live in an older home in an area with hard water. Our white toilets end up with a discolored deposit around the water line. Every few months, I would take a pumice stone and scrub them out. I hated getting my hand in the toilet water. This pumice stone wand allows me to scrub out the discoloration without getting my hand wet!
It works really well, but as all pumice stones wear away as they’re being used, the small size of the stones means they won’t last long. It comes with 8 stones, so that will still get me a lot of use. If you want to keep your hands out of the water, then this is a good buy. If you want to save some money and don’t mind getting your hands wet, then just buy a pumice stone. — Gypsy Blue
6. Keep your breath minty fresh with this oral care mist. The product features a sugar-free formula that doesn’t just mask the odor but solves the problem.
The mist actually kills bacteria causing bad breath. The packaging is handy and compact. And it is easy to carry the product with you at all times.
Promising review:
- I absolutely love this product and for reference in the picture the packaging looks a little bit weird because I peeled off the stickers, so don’t mind that. The spray is really good to use for bad breath emergencies, but I would not recommend using it all the time. It does make your breath a little bit stinkier in the long run because the alcohol in Listerine dries out your mouth. But overall, I definitely recommend this for emergencies. — Estelle
7. You’ll have no problems with chafing and blisters while using this all-natural solution. It can restore dry or cracked hands, feet, and faces too. The product goes on easily and works like a charm! The size is perfect for traveling.
The product contains coconut oil, cocoa butter, beeswax, and vitamin E oil. It is suitable for sensitive skin. It is also child-safe and is not tested on animals.
Promising review:
- The product is the perfect size to travel with or put in a pocket. Goes on easily and works like a charm. No problems with chafing while using this product. Great value for the cost.
There is a slight smell but to be honest, it’s very mild (have to hold up to my nose to smell it) and it’s not a bad smell. Would buy over and over again. I use this 2–3 times a week. — Christen Tasevski
8. This odor remover is safe to use around pets and children (although you should still make sure no one tries to taste it). You can comfortably use it on any surface: rugs, walls, floors, etc. The unique non-enzymatic formula doesn’t mask the problem but eliminates it.
And it can even help prevent the pet from returning to the spot! Warning: Make sure no one swallows it.
Promising review:
- Used as directed. Worked very well, still not entirely sure about the scent. It’s okay, but not super fond of scent. Getting used to it, though.
Does smell slightly like Christmas, as other people have said. A little pricey, but goes a long way. — Mary McMullen
9. Another perfect way to prevent clogging your pipes. This set of 2 rust-proof hair drain catchers will serve you for a long time. Each piece is extremely durable and features silicone edging. It makes the product stay safely in place, which is very handy.
The product is simple yet effective. This little thing will save you a ton of money on plumber visits. It is easy to clean; you can just use a simple tissue.
Promising review:
- I wish I would have gotten these a couple of months earlier than I did. These covers fit perfectly on both of my shower drains and really do help keep hair from going into my drains! So far, they have stayed secure with the good rubber outer ring and cover the whole drain without moving when you step on it or have the shower flowing onto it. I will be helping my plumbing by not having to clean the drains so much now. I recommend these covers. — natalie
10. Keep your shower clean with just one swipe using this wall-mounting shower hair catcher! And here is a cute pointy-eared design for all cat lovers. This product will effectively trap your hair and prevent pipe clogging.
This product is super easy to install and use. Spend less time on cleaning your shower and more time on something else.
Promising reviews:
- This thing has saved sooo many little arguments about my hair being left on the shower wall! It’s easy to use & has a strong grip! — Melissa Riggins
- Super easy to install and use. I was finding that my drain was clogging up a lot, so I figured I would give this a try. Love it! — Victoria
Buy the 1st item on AMAZON here
Buy the 2nd item on AMAZON here
We hope you like our picks and will enjoy using these products. They have all the potential to make life a walk in the park. Remember, sometimes the simplest solutions to daily struggles are the best.
Bright Side gets commissions for purchases made through the links in this post. Reviews could have been edited for length and clarity. The prices and discounts displayed in this article may change without further notice.
Preview photo credit Ann Krummel / Amazon, Kelsey / Amazon
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