Equal Marriage Turmoil: The Elder Sister-in-Law's Counterattack

Mila finally turned her gaze from the TV to my mom, who was standing there with a smile and a fruit platter.

“Mom, what are you joking about? We agreed on this before; how can it change now? You don’t need to emphasize having only one son; I’m also the only daughter of my family!”

My mom couldn’t sit still anymore. She pushed my brother aside and sat next to Mila, holding her hand and pretending to tear up. “Mila, you have to understand – sons and daughters are different. Our family has only one son; we need a successor, right? Now that you’re having a boy, if he doesn’t take our family name, your husband won’t rest easy in the afterlife! If it really comes to that, let Lily take the Payne surname instead. We can switch things around!”

Mila frowned at my mom’s words, and I felt uneasy too. She was openly expressing her preference for sons right in front of me. I couldn’t help but feel pitiful compared to Mila, the only child from a big city.

When my brother married, Mila didn’t ask for a ‘big wedding gift’; she only accepted some jewelry, and her family covered the entire cost of the wedding. I thought my brother had married up! At the engagement banquet, I learned it was an equal marriage, with the bride’s family wanting the second child to take their surname. But since my dad passed away early and my mom wasn’t educated, I honestly felt my brother had hit the jackpot.

Lost in thought, I didn’t notice the commotion escalating in the living room. Mila stood up, and my brother couldn’t hold her back.

“Mom, I’m telling you, switching surnames is impossible! Even if I agree, my father won’t! Your family begged us for an equal marriage to avoid financial burdens – can’t you see you can’t have it all?”

I rushed into the living room. “Mila, watch your tone! How can you speak to Mom like that? Is this the way you were raised?”

My words only fueled the fire. Mila glared at me with disdain. “Janet, let me remind you, this isn’t your place to speak! Your son can’t take your surname, so don’t you dare stop mine from taking mine!”

Bringing my son into this enraged me. “What’s wrong with my son? He can take his dad’s name! What’s the big deal about a surname? Why do you care so much? What’s the big deal about an equal marriage, anyway?”

Mila laughed, but it felt more like pity. “Janet, you might as well remember this: if your mom can’t keep you here, think about what you’re saying. Don’t let yourself be used like a pawn.”

“Enough! Stop arguing! What’s the point? Mila, can’t you just be a little accommodating towards Mom? We’re in an equal marriage, but that doesn’t mean you can disrespect her! She’s still an elder – apologize, and we can move on.”

My brother, the only man present, finally lost his temper. After all, we were family.

Mila looked at the three of us and nodded silently.

I felt a surge of satisfaction; I couldn’t believe how brazen she was here.

“Brian, if you want Lily to change her last name like your mom, then don’t even think about coming back!”

After saying that, Mila dragged Lily out and stormed off, slamming the door behind her. Even though Lily’s surname didn’t concern me, seeing their argument and recalling my mom’s blatant preference for sons felt satisfying. If they were not going to make things easy for me, they shouldn’t enjoy themselves either.

Once Mila left with Lily, my mom hurriedly sent my brother after them. The details didn’t matter; what mattered was that Mila was still pregnant with her precious grandson! I couldn’t help but laugh coldly.

My mom quickly told my brother to chase after Mila when she saw her leave with Lily. What mattered was that Mila was pregnant with her precious grandchild! I couldn’t help but scoff at that.

After hesitating, my brother finally ran after her; it’s not safe for an angry pregnant woman with a child.

Once he was gone, my mom sat down on the ground, crying, “Why is my life so miserable? After all this time, I finally get a grandson, but he can’t even share our last name. How can the Paynes be so heartless?”

I found it amusing but still went to comfort her. “Mom, don’t be sad. You still have Timmy! He’s always been so good to you.”

“Timmy? What good is he? He doesn’t even share our last name. Just look at you – you can’t even fight for a surname. Look at Mila; she gets to have her grandson carry her last name just like that.”

I was at a loss for words. Was it really worth all this fuss over a last name? My dad had been gone for years; why was she still so hung up on this? It was exhausting! I was furious but couldn’t show it. Today they reminded me – I was also my mother’s child; why should she give them everything? I couldn’t provoke her; I needed to think this through carefully.