I didn’t respond when my husband humiliated me: “From today on, buy your own food and stop living off me.” I just smiled and played along… until his birthday, when 20 hungry relatives arrived and the kitchen was empty.

I took a deep breath because I was not going to scream since there was no need for that. I explained that a few weeks ago, Dominic told me in front of Shane that I should buy my own food and stop living off him.

“So I did exactly that by buying my own food and cooking for myself, and I did not plan on paying for a banquet for twenty people he invited without asking me,” I said. Shane was leaning against the wall and nodded sheepishly as he confirmed that Dominic had indeed said those words.

My mother-in-law’s face changed instantly as she asked Dominic if that story was true. Dominic ran his hand through his hair and told his mother it was just a comment because I should know how he talks.

“No, you said that to humiliate me like you always do,” I replied while looking him straight in the eye. His younger sister, Kimberly, opened her eyes wide as I continued because I could not keep quiet anymore.

I told them about the teasing at the dinner table and the times he said I was squandering his money. I reminded them that I worked too and paid my share of the bills while he bought himself new sneakers or beers.