When Layla’s inheritance came through, her future mother-in-law saw an opportunity for herself and handed her a demand list of gifts she “owed” the family. But Layla had a lesson of her own to teach. As betrayal unfolded and love crumbled, Layla delivered a final gift they would never forget.
I thought my relationship with Jake was perfect—until his mother showed me who she really was.
Jake and I had been together for three years, and when he proposed, I was overjoyed. We had a beautiful little life together. A cozy apartment, a love that felt unbreakable, a cat named Cami, and dreams of building an even greater future.
Then my grandmother passed away.
It was heartbreaking.
My grandmother was everything I wanted to be when I grew older. She practically raised me, and the loss cut deep. But she always told me she would make sure I was taken care of.
“Layla, my child,” she told me. “Out of all my grandchildren, you’re the one who’ll always be special to me. From the time you were born, I knew you’d be my mini-me. I’ll always take care of you, my girl. Even after I die.”
And she did.
She left me $500,000.
I wasn’t expecting it, nor was I ready for it.
Honestly, I didn’t know what to do with that kind of money. But when Jake’s mother, Denise, found out? Suddenly, she had plenty of ideas—none of them involving me.
It happened a week after Jake told his family about my inheritance.
We were having Sunday dinner at his parents’ house when Denise pulled me aside, her usual sweet but calculated smile on her face.
“I have something for you, sweetheart. I know it’s been hard with your grandmother passing, but it’s time to move on now. The sun keeps shining, Layla,” she cooed, handing me an envelope.
I smiled, expecting maybe a heartfelt letter or something sentimental. But when I opened it?
It was a list. Not just any list—a demand list.
Gifts I was expected to buy as Jake’s fiancée before I could be “fully accepted” into their family.
I skimmed the page, my stomach tightening as I read each ridiculous request.
A $10,000 Cartier bracelet as a symbol of my love for my mother-in-law. A new car for Jake’s younger sister because “family supports each other, and Elena needs a car.” A $20,000 loan to renovate Jake’s parents’ kitchen before our wedding. A Rolex for my father-in-law. A fully paid family vacation for ten people, first-class flights included. A monthly “family contribution” of $2,000 to prove my commitment to their well-being.
I couldn’t believe my eyes.
“You’re joking, right? This is just a big prank?” I laughed nervously.
Denise tilted her head, the smile never faltering.
“Oh, honey. This is just what’s expected of you. You’re about to marry into this family, and we take care of each other. You’re lucky to have this opportunity.”
Lucky? My grandmother had just died, and she was acting like I’d won the lottery?
What was happening?
And then she sealed her fate with one final sentence.
“If you really love my son, you’ll do this.”
I didn’t argue. I didn’t storm out. Instead, I forced the sweetest smile I could muster.
“Oh, Denise,” I gushed, “I totally get it. Family takes care of family. I’d love to do this. For you… for everyone. Maybe I’ll even throw in a pair of gold cufflinks for Jake.”
Her eyes gleamed with unrestrained greed.
“I knew you’d understand, sweetheart,” she said, practically glowing. “Here’s a slice of pie, Layla. Enjoy!”
I took the pie and sat through the rest of dinner, smiling through the absurdity of it all. Later that night, as I sat with Jake in our apartment, I could barely contain my anger.
I had smiled. Nodded. Acted like everything was fine. But inside? I was seething.
Because my grandmother had just died, and instead of mourning her, I was being handed a demand list as if my loss meant nothing.
Jake didn’t understand.
“I said yes,” I said, my voice flat. “I told your mom I’d do it. And you just sat there eating pie.”
Jake blinked, surprised. “Well… that’s good, right?”
“Is it?” I let out a bitter laugh. “She called it a ‘gesture.’ A gesture to prove I’m worthy of marrying you. A gesture that happens to total over a hundred grand.”
Jake sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. “She didn’t mean it badly. It’s just that, you suddenly have this money, and my parents are struggling, and—”
I flinched. “They’re not struggling, Jake. Do you think I don’t feel sick every time I remember where this money came from? That I wouldn’t trade every cent of it just to have one more day with my grandmother?”
Jake looked uncomfortable.
“If your family had treated me like a daughter, I wouldn’t hesitate to help them. Wanting a kitchen remodel isn’t struggling.”
Jake stared at the ceiling, avoiding my gaze.
I continued, “But that’s not what happened. Your mother didn’t come to me with love. She came with a list.”
Jake exhaled deeply. “Babe, you’re overthinking this. She’s old-fashioned. She wants to make sure you’re committed to the family.”
I stared at him, grief and rage swirling inside me. “You know what? I’m overthinking it.”
“See? It’s not a big deal,” he said, visibly relieved.
“I’m going to bed. You fill Cami’s bowl and give her fresh water.”
In my head, I was already planning. And oh, if they wanted a gesture, I was going to give them one.
I spent the next few days preparing.
Then, the following Sunday, I returned to Denise’s house with gifts.
She couldn’t hide her excitement as she clapped her hands when I arrived.
One by one, I handed out boxes.
To Denise? A Cartier box, but inside? A plastic bracelet from the dollar store.
To Elena? A toy car.
To my father-in-law? A fake Rolex.
The family vacation? A pamphlet for a budget bus tour.
The $20,000 loan? A Monopoly “bank loan” card.
Denise’s smile vanished instantly. “What is this?” she hissed.
“Oh, I thought I’d start with symbolic gifts,” I said sweetly. “Just a gesture to show I’m serious about the family.”
Her face turned red. “This isn’t funny. Not at all.”
I leaned in. “What’s not funny, Denise, is how you demanded I buy my way into this family like I’m an outsider paying for membership. I’ve been here for three years, and you treat me like a stranger!”
Jake finally spoke. “Babe, you’re overreacting again.”
“No, Jake,” I said, “I’m not. Your mother tried to manipulate me into giving her my inheritance, and the fact you didn’t shut it down tells me everything.”
I took a deep breath, then dropped the final bomb.
“Oh, and don’t worry about our engagement, Jake. Consider it canceled. Consider us canceled. I’m done.”
Gasps filled the room. Denise looked like she might faint. Jake stood frozen.
“Wait, what?!” he sputtered.
I slid my engagement ring off and placed it on the table.
“Find someone else to fund your family, Jake.”
And with that, I walked out.
I wasn’t crying.
I thought I might, but I didn’t. After three years of love, building a life, and saying yes to forever, I felt nothing but this quiet, detached numbness.
The boxes were already half-packed when I heard the key turn in the door. I didn’t even look up when Jake walked in.
His eyes widened as he saw the apartment.
“Layla,” he whispered.
I finished packing the last box and shut it.
“Back earlier than expected?” I asked. “Denise didn’t want you to stay for dinner? She said it was roast beef and roast potatoes… before I gave them their gifts.”
Jake’s panic was clear as he gestured to the boxes. “Are you seriously kicking me out?”
“Yeah,” I said simply.
“Wait, let’s talk about this.”
“We did, Jake. I told you exactly what your mom did, and you dismissed it.”
His jaw tightened.
“I didn’t dismiss it! I just thought we could move past it.”
“You thought I could forget your mother trying to extort me?” I said, exasperated.
He clenched his hands.
“She got carried away, okay?” he said. “That doesn’t mean we have to throw everything away.”
“Jake, I loved you. But when you let your mom treat me like an ATM, that’s when I realized I loved the idea of us more than the reality.”
“Please, Layla, don’t do this.”
But it was already done.
I shoved the last box into his arms.
“You can crash at your mom’s. Cami stays here with me.”
He flinched.
Jake bombarded me with messages for weeks, apologizing, making excuses, pleading.
His final message? “My mom got carried away, but we can move past this. I love you.”
I never replied.
As for Denise? She smeared my name online, calling me a gold digger, among other things.
I didn’t care.
I used my inheritance to buy myself a beautiful home—one that no greedy in-laws would ever step foot in.
And let me tell you, that was the best investment I ever made.
