Scolded by Mother-in-law for Transferring $5,000 to Mom

But that wasn't all—I also asked my relatives and colleagues to help spread my post.

When I got home, as expected, my mother-in-law was sitting on the sofa, her face dark with anger.

I barely had time to send my child to their room before she pointed at me and started yelling.

"You good-for-nothing woman! Is this how you squander my son's money? You just give away 5,000 dollars like it's nothing—5,000 dollars! How are we supposed to live like this?"

I almost lost my breath.

"Mom, please make it clear. Whose money did I use? I earn about as much as your son each month, sometimes even more during peak season. I can spend my money however I want. If your daughter can show her filial piety, why can't I do the same for my own mother?"

"Also, whenever I give you money or buy you gold bracelets and necklaces, you never post about it on social media. It's been years! And now your daughter sends just a thousand dollars, and you're practically beating the drums, wishing the whole world to know you have such a dutiful daughter, all while stepping on me."

"What kind of logic is that!"

My mother-in-law was dumbfounded, slumping back onto the sofa.

"Fine, I can't deal with you. I'll talk to my son later."

I laughed in exasperation. "Talk to whoever you want."

My husband was a technical manager who usually got off work at 6:30.

That evening, after listening to my mother-in-law's complaints, Jeremy also felt a headache coming on.

What she was implying, between the lines, was that I should give her 10,000 dollars.

Jeremy was usually pretty good to me.

We had been married for five years without any major disagreements.

Just when I thought Jeremy would support me, he hit me with a surprising blow.

"Ava, it's just ten thousand dollars. Just give it to Mom."

I was in disbelief, mixed with anger. My mother-in-law's smug look made my blood boil even more.

I snapped back, "Fine, why don't you take our son's tuition for next semester and give it away too?"

Ever since my mother-in-law moved into our little home a month ago, these trivial conflicts have been happening constantly.

From issues as small as cooking oil and salt to those involving our son.

And now, even Jeremy wasn't standing up for me.

Seeing my refusal, my mother-in-law seemed like she wanted to say something more.

But with a single look from Jeremy, she shut her mouth and didn't say another word.

I felt a bit relieved; at least my husband wasn't forcing me.

Caught in the middle, he tried to ease the situation with a symbolic scolding of his mom.

"Mom, saying things like that makes it seem like Ava isn't filial. Family matters shouldn't be aired in public. If someone with ill intentions found out and caused trouble at my workplace, the boss might think I can't even handle my family affairs."

My mother-in-law looked alarmed and worried, "That… that wouldn't happen, would it?"

My husband shook his head, then turned to me and said, "Ava, why would you mess around like that with Mom? What will people think of our family?"

I wanted to argue, but Jeremy continued with a worried expression, "If your colleagues find out, who knows what they'd say about you."

I wanted to say something, but after thinking it over, he had a point.

So I didn't argue further.

In front of my husband, both my mother-in-law and I deleted our posts on Instagram.