My Mother-in-Law's Schemes Nearly Broke Us

After my mother-in-law called my husband, asking him to pitch in for her biological son’s house, Ethan hesitated for a moment before agreeing.

Later, when he found out the truth, Ethan cried.

“Mom, if you need something, just say it directly!” Ethan Shaw, my husband, said as he ate, casually speaking to his mother on speakerphone.

There was a pause on the other end, and then his mother hesitantly spoke, “Ethan, I know I shouldn’t be asking this…”

She trailed off, and the sound of chatter filled the line, suggesting there were people around her.

Ethan furrowed his brows, stopping his meal. “Mom, what’s going on? Is something wrong?”

The line fell silent for a second, then his mother spoke again, “Ethan, your brother's girlfriend wants to buy a house before they get married. Your father and I don't have enough saved up, and I was wondering if you could lend us three hundred thousand. What do you think?”

Her voice carried a cautious, almost pleading tone.

Ethan’s frown deepened.

My heart leaped into my throat.

Ethan glanced at me and then spoke, his voice quiet but firm. “Mom, we only have two hundred thousand saved up. Give me your bank details, and I’ll send it back to you right away. If we still don’t have enough later, I’ll see if I can raise the rest.”

I scowled in dissatisfaction.

Just like that, he was ready to throw away two hundred thousand? Did he think we were some rich family? He didn’t even consider how many years it had taken us to save that money.

His mother’s delighted voice came from the phone. “Alright, alright, we’ll figure out the rest. Ethan, you should talk to your Honey about this. Once you two decide, give me a call, okay?”

“Okay.”

Ethan exchanged a few more pleasantries before hanging up the phone.

As soon as the call ended, Ethan turned to me with a regretful look. “Honey, I’m sorry. You know how good my mom has been to me since I was a kid. She’s never asked me for anything all these years, and I was afraid that if I hesitated, I’d hurt her feelings. Honey, I didn’t take all of our savings—I kept some back. We’ll save up again for a couple of years, and we’ll have enough for the down payment…”

I frowned at him, not saying a word.

Ethan sighed, still looking guilty. “Honey, you know I didn’t mean to upset you. I’m just trying to help my mom, you know? She’s always been there for me, and now she needs help. I didn’t want to turn my back on her. I promise, I’ll work harder and make sure we get the money back fast, okay?”

I didn’t respond.

Ethan folded his hands together and pleaded, “Honey, I’m really sorry. I’ll never do this again. I didn’t think it through, but you were right there next to me. If you didn’t agree, I would’ve stopped. Please forgive me, okay?”

I couldn’t help but laugh bitterly, my frustration growing. “So now, not taking all of our savings is considered a good thing?”

“Tell me, Ethan, where did I go wrong?” I set my bowl down, crossing my arms as I looked at him, curious to hear his response.

Ethan paused for a moment before replying seriously, “Thank you, Honey, for giving me the chance to explain. First, I shouldn’t have made the decision without your approval. That’s the biggest mistake, and I’ll write an apology letter later. But I just didn’t want my mom to think I didn’t care, which is why I didn’t hesitate. Second, I shouldn’t have treated our savings like my own money. I promise, I’ll never do that again.”

He actually sounded convincing.

I shot him a look of annoyance. “Ethan, honestly, I was really mad about this. But since you’ve at least admitted your mistake, I’ll let it go this time. You say your mom’s always been good to you, and now that she needs help, you can’t say no. I get that. But still, your mom even knew she had to ask me first. Why didn’t you think of that? This money wasn’t just yours to give away.”

Ethan clasped his hands together. “Honey, I’m really sorry. I messed up. I wasn’t thinking. But, to be fair, you were right there. If you didn’t agree, I would’ve stopped.”

“Alright, alright,” I said, raising a hand to stop him. “No more excuses. Since you know you were wrong, there should be consequences. You’re doing the housework for the next three months.”

“Okay, okay, no problem,” he said eagerly, but then hesitated. “What about the money situation?”

I took a moment to think. “Our savings is around five hundred and fifty thousand. Let’s give them two hundred and fifty thousand. That should be enough to show your mom we appreciate all she’s done for you. We’re still young. We’ll make more and save more, and in a couple of years, this money will be back in our account.”

Ethan immediately pulled me into his arms and kissed me passionately on the cheek. “Honey, you’re the best.”

I pushed him away, disgusted. “Ugh, get off. You’re all greasy.”

“Heh, I’m just showing my love,” he said, grinning. “Alright, I’ll go call my mom now.”

“Mm, go ahead,” I said, turning toward the living room to watch TV. But my ears were straining, listening to him talk to his mom on the phone.

“Mom, I just talked to Evelyn. She said she can contribute fifty thousand, so that makes up the two hundred and fifty thousand.”

“Mmm, you’re the best, Evelyn.”

“Alright, Mom, I know. I’ll take care of Evelyn.”

Hearing this, I finally relaxed.

Thank God. Ethan made sure I wouldn’t be the only one making sacrifices.