My Mother-in-law Doesn't Trust Me

I gritted my teeth. "Am I really that unreasonable? Look, this can't happen again. And mom needs to see a shrink.

"She might have PTSD from emotional betrayal."

Grady looked at me, touched. He promised to have a heart-to-heart with Ebony and take her to a therapist.

The next day, I left some files at home. When I popped back to grab them, I noticed our bedroom door was open.

Ebony lived next door and didn't have our keys. No way she could've gotten in.

I was scared out of my wits but grabbed a mop for courage and tiptoed into the bedroom.

What I saw nearly made me faint.

There was Ebony, sniffing my dirty underwear from last night and holding it up to the light.

"Mom, what are you doing?" I blurted out.

She jumped, turned pale, and then brazenly said, "I came to tidy up. Why are you shouting?"

I was shaking with anger. "Is that how you tidy up? What's going on here?"

I wanted to ask why she was fondling my clothes but couldn't bring myself to say it.

"This is my son's home. I'm just trying to help. What's with the attitude?" she snapped. "Are you treating me like a thief?"

Seeing her twist things around, I called Grady and told him to come home right away.

He wasn't busy at work and would've been home in half an hour.

After my call, he rushed back. I angrily explained what happened and left for work.

I was truly furious.

Ebony had not only made a secret key but was going through my personal things. I wasn't going to let this slide like before.

Before I even got to work, Grady called to say his mom had fainted from anger.

My heart leapt into my throat. I was both worried and upset.

Luckily, Grady said he'd keep an eye on her and asked me to bring some soup.

After work, I rushed to buy groceries and hurried to the hospital. As I was about to open the door, I heard Ebony's shrill. "What an ungrateful brat. I just went to tidy your room, and she threw a fit.

"Like mother, like daughter. I bet she's just like her mom, always seducing men.

"I heard her mother spent the night at a man's place as soon as she came of age. If I don't keep an eye on her, who knows what she'll get up to with that pretty face of hers?"

I kicked the door open and faced her coldly. "You can insult me, but leave my mom out of this.

"If you don't explain yourself, I'm divorcing Grady."

Ebony cowered back as if I might attack her.

Grady frowned at me and said mildly, "Mom's still sick, you know."

Anyone could tell he was siding with his mom and blaming me for scaring her.

I couldn't hold back my tears anymore. Ebony was the one talking trash behind my back, but somehow it had become my fault.

"Explain yourself," I demanded. "When did my mom ever spend the night at a man's place right after coming of age?"