We were at Sunday dinner at his parents’ house when Denise pulled me aside. She wore her usual sugary smile, but it seemed a bit forced.
“I have something for you, sweetheart. I know it’s been tough losing your grandmother. But it’s time to move on. Life goes on, Layla,” she said, handing me an envelope.
I smiled, assuming it might be a touching letter or a family heirloom. Something nice.
But instead? It was a list.
Not just any ordinary list. A list of items I was supposed to purchase as Jake’s fiancée. Before I could be “fully welcomed” into their family.
I glanced at the list, and a queasy feeling settled in my stomach.
A $10,000 Cartier bracelet: to demonstrate my love and gratitude for my mother-in-law.
A brand-new car for Jake’s younger sister: because “family members support each other, and Elena is in need of a car.”
A $20,000 gift (loan) to Jake’s parents so they could renovate their kitchen before our wedding.
A Rolex for my father-in-law.
A fully paid family vacation for ten people, with first-class tickets.
A monthly “family contribution” of $2,000 to show that I was “committed to the family.”
I felt my face flush with heat.
I let out a nervous laugh as Denise sliced the pecan pie. Elena was scooping up ice cream. Jake was pouring more wine. My father-in-law was searching for a toothpick.
“You’re kidding… right? This has to be a joke, right?”
Denise tilted her head and maintained her smile.
“Oh, honey. This is what is expected of you. You’re about to marry into this family, and we take care of one another. You’re fortunate to have this opportunity.”
Fortunate?
My grandmother had just passed away, and this woman was acting as if I had won the lottery?
What was going on?
And then she uttered something that really got my blood boiling.
“If you truly love my son, you’ll do this.”
I didn’t argue. I didn’t storm out.
Instead, I forced a broad smile.
“Oh, Denise,” I said. “I understand. You’re absolutely right. Family should look out for one another. I’d be delighted to do this. For you… for everyone. Maybe I’ll even get Jake a pair of gold cufflinks.”
The greed in her eyes was palpable.
“I knew you’d understand, sweetheart,” she said. “Here’s a slice of pie, Layla. Enjoy!”
I took the pie, and we sat in silence. Denise chatted about the cars Elena might like. She told me about the bracelet she desired.
All thewhile Jake and his father talked about the renovations they had in mind for the kitchen. I just nodded and smiled, my mind racing with thoughts of how I was going to handle this situation.
Over the next few days, I started to put my plan into action. I reached out to a private investigator and hired him to dig into Denise’s past. I wanted to know everything about her, every secret she might be hiding. It didn’t take long for him to come back with some interesting information.
