Fighting Wits with the Scumbag Brother-in-law

"What are you talking about, Yvonne?" Janet's voice was full of concern. "York works hard all day, so it's understandable if he's a bit irritable. If he said something hurtful, I'll apologize on his behalf."

She then grabbed York's sleeve.

"York, you know she's my only sister. She's young and doesn't know any better. Don't hold it against her. If you're angry, take it out on me. But it's not fair to let a girl move out on her own..."

"She doesn't know any better? I think she's grown quite defiant, completely disregarding me. And you, Janet, since when do you call the shots in this house? Did I agree to let your sister live here?"

York's rant was escalating, so Janet quickly pulled him into their room.

From behind the closed door, I could hear their heated argument, with words like "infertile," "disgrace," and "waste" being thrown around.

I took a deep breath and started packing my things.

I could never understand how things got this bad.

York had once begged my parents to let Janet marry him, promising to treat her well for the rest of his life.

The second year after their marriage, his parents were in a car accident, and Janet quit her job to take care of them.

She looked after them well, but York changed completely.

Over the years, he constantly belittled and mocked her for not having children.

Meanwhile, his career flourished. He led thousands of employees, drove one luxury car after another, and recently even got himself a chauffeur...

But he never moved houses.

This house was a wedding gift from our parents to Janet, as York had married into our family...

That was right. York had married into our family.

But since our parents passed away, no one ever brought it up again.

In recent years, York's parents had even taken to openly and secretly blaming Janet for not having children, calling her a curse that would end their family line...

My thoughts were interrupted by a loud shout from the other room.

"You eat my food, use my money, and I even support your sister. What right do you have to argue with me?"

Then came the sound of a door slamming heavily.

3

York had left.

I breathed a sigh of relief, went to the kitchen to pour a glass of water, and pushed open the door to Janet's room.

She sat alone on the floor, her head buried in her knees, her frail shoulders shaking slightly.

The room was a mess, with wet clothes, broken glass, and some white pills scattered around...

"Janet, are you okay?" I handed her the glass of water.

Janet looked up, her eyes red.

When she saw me, she quickly turned away, wiping the tears from the corners of her eyes.

"Yvonne, I'm sorry we disturbed you."

I had suggested divorce to her before. Over the years, Janet had endured so much pain and humiliation because of the issue of having children. I saw it all.

But every time I mentioned divorce, tears welled up in her eyes.

After all, it had been almost ten years. During their toughest times, York had once held her and cried, promising that he would make her life better someday.

Life had gotten better, but York had completely changed.

Still, Janet persisted, always believing that if she just tried a little harder, things would get better, especially if they had a child.

I didn't say anything. I just bent down to pick up the clothes and the pills from the floor. The white pills had gray letters on them, the same ones I had seen at my friend's house that morning.