My mother-in-law, Michelle, pointed at me smugly. “Even though my daughter is rich now, she’s not stupid. She’s put up with you for years. It’s only fair she asks for some emotional compensation!”
I stared at my wife, Camilla, shocked. It took me a moment to speak. “You really want a divorce?”
Camilla looked at me with open disdain. “Yes. We’ve been married five years and I’ve never even had a Hermes bag. What good are you? You never gave me a good life, so don’t blame me for divorcing you now that I have money.”
It suddenly felt ridiculous. For five years, I gave her my entire $7,000 monthly salary. Even the house and car we bought were in her name only.
The bags I bought her weren’t Hermes, but they were still very expensive. Yet she still claimed I never gave her a good life.
When I stayed quiet, Michelle thought I was disagreeing and started yelling. “Don’t tell me you want to steal my daughter’s lottery ticket! It’s hers and none of your business! You never supported her and now you’re after her money! Shameless! People say Camilla married a freeloader; looks like they were right!”
Camilla turned and said, “Mom, stop. It’s too embarrassing to talk about.”