The Dangers of Marriage: Be Strong and Resist Injustice!

“Mom, can you tell me what’s going on?” Brian asked on the phone.

I felt a wave of relief. At least Brian was thinking clearly.

Sandy had put the call on speaker, and as soon as Brian finished speaking, I jumped in, “Dear, do you know that Zoe’s moved into our wedding house?”

There was a brief pause on Brian’s end before he mumbled, “Oh, Mom mentioned it to me.”

I was crushed. “So, you knew? You’ve been keeping this from me?”

Brian’s voice grew irritated. “What do you mean, keeping it from you? We just didn’t get around to telling you. Angelina, you’re always so petty. We’re family. If my sister needs a place, let her stay. And don’t take it out on my mom. She has high blood pressure and heart issues. If she gets sick over this, I’ll be really upset. I’m busy right now, so we’ll talk when I get back.”

When the call ended, Sandy smirked at Zoe and said, “Zoe, Brian says you can stay, so just stay put. Let’s see who dares to make you leave.”

I was furious. “How can you be so unreasonable? Zoe, if you don’t have a place to live, you should rent or buy one. What gives you the right to live in my house?”

Zoe acted like she didn’t hear me and kept scrolling on her phone.

Sandy sneered at me. “Now you’re worried? Last month, Zoe asked you for $20,000 for a down payment. You refused and even stopped Brian from helping. What were you thinking?”

I almost laughed out of frustration. So that’s what this was about.

Last month, Brian told me Zoe wanted to borrow money for a down payment. I said if he wanted to lend it, that was up to him; I didn’t mind.

But it wasn’t about me being difficult. First, they already owe us thousands of dollars that they haven’t paid back. Second, Zoe’s husband is a gambler with hundreds of thousands in debt. They’re constantly scrambling for money, and their credit is terrible. There’s no way they could get a loan to buy a house.

Their story about needing money for a house was just a cover. They were trying to get money from us. Only a fool would lend them money.

Brian knew their situation, but I couldn’t understand why he even considered helping them.

However, if he wanted to waste his own money, I wouldn’t stop him. After all, I haven’t seen a cent of his money since we married.

It seemed Brian hadn’t given them the money after all.

I was so frustrated I had a headache. “So, because Brian didn’t lend you money, you decided to take over my house?”

Sandy jumped in immediately, “Brian wouldn’t have refused to lend to his sister if it weren’t for you blocking him.”

Zoe added, “Exactly. My brother said you have tens of thousands saved up and wouldn’t lend any. Now that I have nowhere to stay, I’m living in his house. What’s it to you?”

Zoe claiming she has no money and blaming us for her situation was outrageous.

I realized that this family was completely unreasonable and impossible to reason with.

I gave Zoe a cold look and said, “You and your husband have terrible credit and you think you can get a mortgage? You’ve got to be kidding.”

Zoe jumped up, “Don’t look down on us! Why shouldn’t we be able to buy a house?”

Sandy joined in, “Don’t belittle my daughter and son-in-law. If they wanted to make money, they could. What about you? Aren’t you spending Brian’s money?”

I almost laughed. Trying to reason with these two was an insult to my intelligence.

It was clear that getting my house back would be a long process.

I swallowed my anger and decided to calm them down first. “For the sake of family, I’ll let you stay for one month. After that, you must move out.”

Without waiting for their response, I turned and walked out, keeping my face stern.

As I closed the door, I faintly heard Sandy’s voice, “Zoe, don’t listen to her. We’re not leaving. Let’s see what that witch can do.”