When Emma’s inheritance comes through, her future mother-in-law sees dollar signs and hands her a list of gifts she “owes” the family. But Emma has a lesson of her own to teach. As betrayal unfolds and love falls apart, she delivers a final gift they’ll never forget.
I thought my relationship with Liam was perfect.
Until his mom showed me her true colors.
Liam and I had been together for three years, and when he proposed, I was thrilled. We had a sweet little life together. We had a cozy apartment, a love that seemed strong, a cat named Luna, and dreams of a future where we’d build something even better.
Then, my grandma passed away.
It was heartbreaking.
My grandma was everything I wanted to be when I grew up. She had pretty much raised me, and the loss hit hard. But she had always told me she’d make sure I was taken care of.
“Emma, my sweet girl,” she told me. “Out of all my grandkids, you’re the one that’s special to me. From the day you were born, I knew you’d be my mini-me. I’ll always look out for you, my girl. Even after I’m gone.”
And she did.
She left me $500,000.
I wasn’t expecting it. Not at all. I wasn’t ready for it.
Honestly, I didn’t know what to do with that kind of cash. But when my future mother-in-law, Margaret, found out?
Suddenly, she had lots of ideas. And none of them were about me.
It happened a week after Liam told his family about my inheritance.
We were at Sunday dinner at his parents’ house when Margaret pulled me aside, her usual fake-sweet smile on her face.
“I have something for you, honey. I know it’s been tough, losing your grandma. But it’s time to move forward now. Life goes on, Emma,” she said softly, handing me an envelope.
I smiled, expecting maybe a kind note or some family keepsake. Something meaningful, really.
Instead?
It was a list.
Not just any list. A list of demands.
Gifts I was expected to buy as Liam’s fiancée. Before I could be “fully welcomed” into their family.
I skimmed the page, my stomach turning as my eyes hit each crazy request.
A $10,000 Cartier bracelet: as a sign of my love and thanks for my mother-in-law.
A brand-new car for Liam’s younger sister: because “family helps each other, and you know, Sophie needs a car.”
A $20,000 gift (loan) to Liam’s parents so they could redo their kitchen before our wedding.
A Rolex for my father-in-law.
A fully paid family trip for ten people. First-class flights included.
A monthly “family support” of $2,000 to show I was “serious about the family’s well-being.”
I felt my face heat up.
I let out a small, fake laugh as Margaret cut into the apple pie for dinner. Sophie was scooping ice cream. Liam was pouring more wine. My father-in-law was looking for a toothpick.
“You’re joking… right? This is just a big prank?”
Margaret tilted her head, her smile steady.
“Oh, honey. This is just what’s expected of you. You’re about to join this family, and we take care of each other. You’re lucky to have this chance.”
Lucky?
My grandma had died. And this woman was acting like I’d won the lottery?
What was going on?
And then she said something that sealed her fate.
“If you really love my son, you’ll do this.”
I didn’t argue. I didn’t walk out.
Instead, I forced the biggest smile I could manage.
“Oh, Margaret,” I said sweetly. “I totally get it. You’re right. Family takes care of family. I’d love to do this. For you… for everyone. Maybe I’ll even add a pair of gold cufflinks for Liam.”
Her eyes lit up with obvious greed.
“I knew you’d understand, honey,” she said. “Here’s a slice of pie, Emma. Enjoy!”
I took the pie, and we all sat quietly. Margaret talked about car models she thought Sophie would like. She told me she’d send me links to the bracelet she wanted.
The whole time, I just smiled.
Later that night, I sat across from Liam in our small apartment, the envelope sitting between us on the coffee table like a loaded weapon. Luna slept on the rug, cozy and happy.
I had said yes to Margaret’s ridiculous list. Smiled. Nodded. Acted like it all made sense. But inside?
Inside, I was furious.
And hurting.
Because my grandma, my real family, had just died. I was supposed to be grieving her, honoring her memory, and figuring out how to live without her in my life.
Instead, I was sitting there with a demand list like I’d won a prize and not lost the last person who loved me no matter what.
I wanted to cry.
Not just because of the list, but because it proved something I didn’t want to admit.
They didn’t see me as family.
Not really.
Because if they did, they wouldn’t be trying to cash in on my loss. They wouldn’t be turning my grief into their payday.
I swallowed hard, pressing my fingers to my temples.
“I said yes,” I said, my voice empty. “I told your mom I’d do it. And you sat there and just ate pie.”
Liam blinked at me like he didn’t see that coming.
“Oh. Well… that’s good, right?”
“Is it?” I let out a sharp, bitter laugh.
“Babe, you know how my mom is. It’s just a gesture, nothing serious,” he said, frowning.
I snapped my eyes to his. A gesture.
“That’s what she called it too,” I said softly. “A gesture to prove I’m worthy of marrying you. A gesture that just happens to cost more than a hundred grand.”
Liam sighed, rubbing the back of his neck like I was being difficult.
“Look,” he said, too calm. “She didn’t mean it in a bad way. It’s just… you got this money, and my parents are struggling, and…”
I flinched.
“They’re not struggling, Liam,” I said. “Do you think I don’t feel sick every time I think about where this money came from? That I wouldn’t give every cent back just to have one more day with my grandma?”
Liam looked uneasy, at least.
I kept going.
“If your family had treated me like one of their own, I wouldn’t have thought twice about helping them. I would’ve happily spent my inheritance on things that mattered. Wanting a new kitchen isn’t struggling.”
Liam just stared at the ceiling.
“But that’s not what happened, Liam. Your mom didn’t come to me with kindness. She came with a list.”
Liam let out a breath, shaking his head.
“Babe, you’re overthinking this. She’s just old-school. She wants to make sure you’re serious about the family.”
I stared at him for a long moment, my grief and anger mixing into something sharp.
“You know what?” I whispered.
“What?”
“You’re right. I’m overthinking it.”
“See?” he said, relieved. “It’s not a big deal.”
I nodded.
“I’m going to bed. You feed Luna and give her fresh water.”
In my head, I was already planning. Because if this family wanted a gesture, I was going to give them one.
I spent the next few days preparing.
And then, the following Sunday, I returned to Margaret’s house with gifts.
She was grinning, practically bouncing with excitement. She clapped her hands like a kid on Christmas morning.
One by one, I handed out boxes or gift bags.
To her? A Cartier box.
She gasped as she opened it… only to find a cheap plastic bracelet from the dollar store.
To Sophie? A toy car.
“I thought this was more your style, Sophie,” I said sweetly.
Father-in-law? A fake watch.
For the family vacation? A pamphlet for a cheap bus tour of the city.
And that $20,000 loan? A Monopoly “bank loan” card.
Margaret’s smile vanished.
“What the heck is this?” she snapped.
I blinked innocently.
“Oh, I thought I’d start with symbolic gifts. You know, just a gesture to show I’m serious about the family.”
Her face turned red.
“This isn’t funny. Not at all.”
I leaned across the table.
“No, Margaret. What’s not funny is you demanding I buy my way into your family like I’m some outsider who needs to pay a fee. I’ve been in this family for three years. And you’re acting like I’m a stranger!”
Liam finally spoke.
“Babe, you’re overreacting again!” he sighed.
“No, Liam,” I said. “I’m not. Your mom tried to use my inheritance like it was owed to them. And the fact that you didn’t stop her when it happened? Or when I talked to you about it at home? That tells me everything I need to know.”
I took a deep breath, then dropped the final bomb.
“Oh, and don’t worry about our engagement, Liam. It’s done. We’re done. I’m out.”
Gasps filled the room.
Margaret looked like she might faint.
Liam? Stunned.
“Wait, what?!” he stammered, coming to his senses.
I slid my engagement ring off and placed it on the table.
“Find someone else to fund your family, Liam.”
And with that? I walked out.
I wasn’t crying.
I thought I might. I thought maybe, after three years of loving someone, of building a life together, of saying yes to forever… I’d feel something other than this quiet, empty numbness.
But no. I just felt… done.
The boxes were already half-packed when I heard the key turn in the door. I didn’t even look up when Liam walked in.
He froze when he saw the apartment.
His clothes, his shoes, his gaming console… all neatly packed into boxes I’d picked up from a garage sale on my way home.
“Emma,” he breathed, his voice barely a whisper.
I folded another one of his shirts, set it on top of the others, then closed the box.
“You’re back earlier than I expected,” I said. “Margaret didn’t want you to stay for dinner? She said it was roast beef and potatoes… you know, before I gave them their gifts.”
“What… what is this?” he gestured wildly to the boxes, his voice rising in panic. “Are you… are you really kicking me out?”
I finally met his gaze.
“Yeah,” I said simply.
“Wait, let’s talk about this, Emma.”
“We did talk, Liam,” I sighed. “I told you exactly what your mom did. I told you how much it hurt me. And you brushed it off like it was nothing.”
His jaw tightened.
“I didn’t brush it off! I just thought we could move past it. Sure, you’re not allowed to come to family dinner for a while… but…”
I actually laughed.
“You thought I could just forget that your mom tried to extort me? That she turned my grief into her shopping list?”
His hands clenched at his sides.
“She got carried away, okay? That doesn’t mean we have to throw everything away.”
I took a deep breath.
“Liam, just stop talking. I loved you. I really did. But the moment you let your mom treat me like a walking ATM, without even standing up for me? That’s when I realized I loved the idea of us more than the reality.”
“Please, Emma, don’t do this.”
But it was already done.
I picked up the last box and shoved it into his arms.
“You can stay at your mom’s. And Luna’s staying with me.”
He flinched.
Liam blew up my phone for weeks. Apologies. Excuses. Begging.
His final message?
“My mom got carried away, but we can move past this. I love you.”
I never replied.
As for Margaret? She tried bad-mouthing me online. She called me a gold digger, among other things.
But I didn’t care. It didn’t matter to me.
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 choice I ever made.
