An Imbalanced Family

I married my brother-in-law’s wife on the same day, and after we moved in, my mother-in-law favored me the most.

I got to eat crab legs every meal, with fancy little green petit fours daily, while my sister-in-law, Sarah, didn’t get a single bite.

I talked to my mother-in-law again: “Mom, this isn’t fair to Sarah. It’s going to cause problems.”

Sarah had already blown up at Mom about it, trashing the house.

Mom just smirked. “I don’t care! She can’t get squat from me!”

Mom didn’t change. She kept giving me all the good stuff.

But strangely, Sarah stopped complaining, even acting all mother-daughter with Mom.

Then one day, I overheard them. They were in cahoots, and I was the ‘out’ in their out-group.

“Honey, dinner’s ready!” Mom beamed, bringing a tray of fragrant food to my room.

“Mom, I don’t want crab legs. I’ll eat downstairs with everyone. This special treatment isn’t right.”

Ever since we got married, Mom served me in my room like a lady-in-waiting. I’d told her countless times not to, but she never listened.

Mom smiled. “Stay here. The dining room is drafty. Your room has better light.”

“Dampness is bad for women. It’s not crab tonight. I made something you’ll love!”

Mom was right about the light. My room was the best in the house.

Sarah and Mom had a huge fight about it.

“Why do they get the biggest, brightest room? You’re so biased! Don’t expect us to take care of you when you’re old!” Sarah had cried her eyes out.

Mom hadn’t even tried to explain. “You’re the older one! Shouldn’t you be more mature? Didn’t anyone ever teach you to share? It’s my house! You can’t tell me what to do!”

“You have no manners!”

Sarah lost it and lunged at Mom. She actually knocked out one of Mom’s teeth!

I offered to move out with my husband, Mark, to ease the tension, but Mom cried and wouldn’t let us.

Because of the favoritism, Sarah and I were strained.

To avoid affecting Mark and his brother, David’s relationship, I encouraged Mark to help David at work.

Snapping back to the present, I looked at the food. Stuffed bell peppers, greens, fish… no crab.

But after one bite of the pepper, my sensitive palate detected it: crab meat filling! Mom had masked it with spices, but I knew.

I dumped everything in the toilet and flushed.

Mom came to collect the dishes, thrilled to see the plate clean. “Good girl! My good girl! Eating well is the most important thing. Taking care of you is my top priority.”

Everyone said Mom favored me because of my family’s money. They thought she was buttering me up so I wouldn’t leave.

At first, I believed them. But I started to realize Mom’s kindness was barbed.

Her motives were never what they seemed.

That evening, Sarah excitedly announced she was pregnant.

David told Mom, “Mom, Sarah’s pregnant! You’ll have to take good care of her.”

Mom, surprisingly happy, replied, “Of course! Both my daughters-in-law are precious to me.”

Sarah suddenly craved durian and asked, “Mom, I want some durian.”

Mom brought one in and cracked it open, offering the biggest piece to me. “Honey, fruit is good for you. You said you wanted durian yesterday. I got this just for you!”

I glanced at Sarah. Before, she’d have flipped the table and screamed. Now, she smiled. “You take the big piece, honey. I just need a little to satisfy my craving.”

I didn’t take it. “Mom, I don’t want any. I’m not hungry. I’m going upstairs to rest.”

Mom followed me up. “Honey, are you upset? You’re the most important person to me!”

“Even her pregnancy can’t compare to one of your fingers! You’re my real daughter!”

I forced a smile and said nothing.

An hour later, I went downstairs for water and overheard Mom in Sarah’s room.

“Sarah, honey, I’m so sorry you have to put up with this. It’s just that… honey’s been pampered her whole life.”

“We have to think of the bigger picture. You and David are the most important to me, always remember that.”

“For all our sakes, for your little family, we have to be united! We’re a team!”

I’d overheard something similar a few days earlier, so the shock had worn off.

It even made me wonder if Mark wasn’t Mom’s real son, which would explain her behavior.

But Mark and David were practically twins, and they looked just like my deceased father-in-law.

Just to be safe, I decided to secretly get a paternity test for Mark and Mom.

The next day, David had a relapse of his childhood leukemia. He needed a bone marrow transplant.

Mark immediately volunteered. The tests proved they were brothers.

The surgery was successful. Mom was a wreck until both sons were discharged.

She held Mark’s and my hands, overflowing with gratitude. “You’re both good children. You saved your brother’s life. I’m so glad I favored you.”

I didn’t expose her fake gratitude. I wanted to see how long she could keep up the act.

Leaving, Mom reminded me, “Honey, don’t forget your vitamins! I’m just waiting for you to get pregnant too! I’ll help you with the baby.”

I looked at the vitamin bottle on my nightstand. Mom had bought them, specifically telling me they were the most expensive kind.

Mark hugged me. “See? Mom’s always favored me, and now you. After I saved David, Sarah should be nicer to us.”

I smiled faintly, not responding.

Mom continued her blatant favoritism. When Sarah was heavily pregnant and got a bad fever, Mom ordered her to cook for me.

“Sarah, make honey something she likes, and some celery.”

Sarah, struggling with her big belly, pleaded, “Mom, can I order her takeout? I’m really heavy, and I can’t stand the smell of cooking oil.”

Mom considered. “Then order her something expensive.”

Sarah, relieved, started to order.

I stopped her. “I don’t like takeout. I prefer home-cooked meals. They’re cleaner.”

Sarah knew I was making things difficult, but she held back. She looked at Mom helplessly.

Mom, too sick to move, insisted. “Sarah, go make honey dinner. Takeout isn’t clean.”

Sarah had no choice. Cooking was an ordeal. Her pregnancy had made her extremely sensitive to cooking smells, making her violently sick.

I watched Mom secretly cry as Sarah retched.

Mark came home and gave me a lecture. “What’s gotten into you? Sarah’s about to give birth! Why are you making her cook?”

Sarah, who usually despised me, defended me. “Don’t blame honey, Mark. A little exercise is good for pregnant women.”

Mom chimed in. “Don’t you dare yell at honey! Don’t you bully my honey!”

Mark said the whole family spoiled me.

Only I knew they were trying to kill me.

Sarah gave birth to a boy, and Mom was overjoyed, setting off fireworks for three days straight.

Mark gave his nephew a $5,000 gift. Sarah chuckled. “Uncle Mark loves his nephew the most.”

Mark was more successful than David, who earned a modest $6,000 a month. Mark was a CEO, making over $500,000 a year, with his own house and car, paid in full. He’d helped David out a lot over the years.

After the baby, Mom and Sarah were both nice to me, taking turns bringing food to my room.

One day, the baby’s crying kept me awake. I snapped, “Can someone shut him up? He’s so loud!”

Mom actually put tape over the baby’s mouth, scolding him in front of me. “That’s what you get for being naughty! Don’t you cry! If you wake your aunt again, I’ll kill you, even if you’re my grandson!””No one in this house is more important than your aunt!”

I was stunned. I hadn’t meant it literally!

Mark ripped the tape off. The baby’s face was red, and he screamed hoarsely.

He blamed me. “Why are you picking on a baby? Everyone spoils you because we’re a good family! Don’t take advantage of it!”

Before I could respond, Mom slapped Mark. “Don’t you talk back to honey!”

Mark stormed out.

Mom apologized profusely, begging me not to be mad at Mark. Sarah and David called him repeatedly.

It all blew over.

One weekend, Mom came in with pastries and saw me clutching my chest, dry heaving.

“Honey, what’s wrong? Food poisoning? Let’s go to the hospital!”

I straightened up. “It’s not food poisoning. I’m pregnant.”

Mom’s eyes widened in shock, but she quickly composed herself. “That’s wonderful! What do you want to eat?”

“Don’t bother. I’m going to my mom’s to stay until the baby’s born. I’ll come back after.”

Mom’s smile faded. “Don’t trouble your mother. I’ll take care of you. I’ll take excellent care of you.”

I insisted on going to my parents’.

Mom didn’t argue further.

Soon, Mark came home, furious. He kicked open the door and slapped me. “Tell me! Whose bastard is it?!”

He grabbed my throat, eyes blazing.

Mom pretended to intervene. “Honey, listen to me. Get rid of the baby. You and Mark can go back to how things were. Okay?”

I wrenched myself free. “How dare you say it’s not yours!”

Mark seemed conflicted but blurted out, “I was diagnosed with infertility six months ago! Are you cheating on me?!”

I laughed coldly. “I’ll only say this once. This baby is yours.”

Mom appeared with a bowl of abortion pills. “Good girl, be obedient and take this. I’ll make Mark forgive you. You can still have a good life!”

I took the bowl and Mom sighed in relief. Then I smashed it on the floor. “I’m done with this family!”

I turned to leave, but Mom grabbed me. “You can’t have this baby! It’s a bastard! What about my son’s reputation?!”

I shook her off. “I’m divorcing him!”

Mom, seeing my resolve, dropped the act. “Call her parents! She’s the one at fault! She has to pay! Her family needs to know about this!”

“If they don’t handle it, the whole world will know she’s carrying a bastard!”

I smiled. This was exactly what I wanted. But I wouldn’t be the one humiliated. I would ruin them, destroy their reputation, and tear their family apart!

Mom called my parents and all the relatives, nearly 70 people, packing the living room.

Mom sobbed dramatically. “I didn’t want to air our dirty laundry, but this is family.”

“I wouldn’t have done this if I wasn’t desperate.”

“Ever since honey married my Mark, I’ve treated her like my own daughter. She has the biggest, brightest room in the house.” She pointed upstairs.

“You all know I cook for her every day, bring it to her room. She doesn’t lift a finger in this house. I even wash her clothes.”

“I’ve been a good mother-in-law. But she… she cheated and got pregnant with some other man’s baby! Even now, I’m still trying to reason with her.”

“If she gets rid of the baby, we’ll forgive her. We’ll still treat her like our own!”

“But she refuses! She wants a divorce! I had no choice but to call everyone here and explain!”

Sarah jumped in. “Mom’s always favored honey, giving her everything. She’s treated like royalty, even more important than my own son!”

“I’ve put up with it for Mark’s sake. I never thought she’d do something so heartless!”

Mark’s face was red. He looked like he wanted to kill me but couldn’t. “How could you do this to me?! I love you! Everyone treats you like a princess! Why?!”

He grew more agitated, eyes welling up. Why would I do this?

Their words branded me with shame. Everyone stared, most seemingly convinced I was carrying a bastard.

Mark and I fell in love in college. We were each other’s first loves.

I was drawn to his intelligence and good looks. We married for love.

He was ambitious and his career took off, but somehow, we drifted apart.

Looking at him now, I laughed. “You have no right to question me!”

“You treat me well? So well you sleep with other women? So well you have a whole other family after only a year of marriage? Mark, did you use up all your brain cells scheming against me?!”

He flinched, surprised I knew. But he denied it. “You’re lying!”

Mom shrieked. “Don’t try to turn this around! My son is a good man! You’re the one who did something shameful! How dare you accuse him!”

Sarah added, “Honey, you can’t just make up stories! Mark’s a good man! You need proof! This is slander!”

Proof, huh?

I pulled out a stack of photos of Mark with another woman and threw them in his face. “Here’s your proof!”

Mark froze, his confidence visibly draining as the intimate photos scattered.

My brother shoved him. Mark stumbled back.

“You scumbag! You cheat and then accuse my sister! We know what kind of person she is! She would never do something so disgusting! You’re the one with a mistress!”

My brother moved to hit him.

David jumped in front of Mark, roaring, “Don’t you touch my brother!”

“Your sister is the one carrying a bastard! They’re both at fault! Just get a divorce! You have no right to lay a hand on him!”

Mom declared, “That’s right! We’re not pushovers! Let’s talk about this divorce!”

My mom’s face was thunderous. “My daughter is not staying in this family!”

My dad, cutting to the chase, said, “We’ll see you at the courthouse!”

My parents pulled me to leave, but Mom blocked us. “There are rules to divorce! Your daughter cheated! She hurt my son! She owes us $50,000 for emotional damages!”

Sarah chimed in, “This is humiliating! $50,000 isn’t much for your family. It depends on whether you care about your reputation!”

Their relatives started chanting, “She’s the one who did wrong! She should pay!”

“She’s pregnant! It’s not that easy to just walk away! Men fool around, it’s normal! But she’s a woman! This is disgraceful!”

Our relatives fired back, “Shut up! You’re the shameless ones!”

“You have the nerve to ask for $50,000? Go beg on the street!”

Mom shouted, “Let me tell you why I want that $50,000! First, she cheated and got pregnant! That deserves compensation!”

“Second, since she married into this family, I’ve been her servant for a year and a half!”

“That’s like hiring a live-in maid! That costs a fortune! A good one costs at least $1,500 a month!”

“That’s almost $30,000 in wages alone! Plus, her room and board! She can have a bastard, but I’m not letting her off easy!”

“I can be kind to my daughter-in-law, but not to a backstabber!”

My parents were speechless. They’d never met anyone so shameless.

David added, “$50,000 is the fastest way to get a divorce. Otherwise, we’ll make sure everyone knows about this!”

I laughed, looking at each of them with disgust. “Who said I’m pregnant? Where’s the proof I cheated? You’re just making accusations!”

Mom cackled, pointing at me. “You’re unbelievable! The most shameless person I’ve ever met! You’re denying you’re pregnant?! I have the pregnancy test in my room! You admitted it yourself!”

Mark sneered. “I can’t believe you’ve become this person.”

I looked him in the eye. “You drove me to this! I’m not pregnant, but I am divorcing you and leaving this crazy family!”

Mom rushed to my room and grabbed the test, only to find the two pink lines gone. She panicked.

I said, “I faked the positive result with a chemical. I lied about being pregnant just for this moment!”

Mom’s eyes widened. “What are you playing at?! You are pregnant! You’re just scared of the shame!”

I raised my voice. “My dear mother-in-law knows best whether or not I can get pregnant! Thanks to her scheming, I can’t!”

Mom glared at me, sensing my implication. “You’re talking nonsense! You’re a liar!”

I smirked, my gaze sharp. “You bring food to my room every day, pretending it’s because you favor me, making me crab legs. But crab is a cold food, and eating it too much can cause infertility in women.”

“You bake me pastries every day. Those pastries have bitter melon in them. Bitter melon also causes infertility with prolonged consumption. You go out of your way to ‘take care’ of me to prevent me from getting pregnant!”

Mom interrupted, acting innocent. “You all hear this? I treat her like a queen! Crab legs are expensive! I buy them year-round! It costs a fortune!”

“I don’t even eat them myself! I eat plain rice and pickles while she feasts on crab! I bake for her every day! I work myself to the bone for her, and she calls me a backstabber!”

“I’m better off raising a dog! You’re saying I’m trying to make you infertile?! That’s ridiculous!”

“You think we’re all stupid? You’re my daughter-in-law! It’s your duty to bear my son children! I’m not stupid! Why would I sabotage that?!”

“I’m not as evil as you! Crab and bitter melon don’t cause infertility! I just know crab is nutritious and expensive, and bitter melon is good for the skin! I’m good to you, and you’re ungrateful!”

Mom grew more agitated, righteous, not a hint of guilt.

Their relatives started attacking me again. Both sides erupted into chaos.

I yelled, “Because Mark isn’t your real son!”

Silence.

Then Mom burst out laughing. “You’re crazy! You’re insane!”

“Anyone with eyes can see Mark and David are twins! You’ll be struck by lightning for saying such things!”