Equal Marriage Turmoil: The Elder Sister-in-Law's Counterattack

It was another Fourth of July celebration. My mom and I started preparing the feast around noon, busying ourselves all afternoon.

I didn’t know if it was just my imagination, but today felt particularly grand. Usually, we had a casual barbecue, but this year we really went all out with a grand spread of several different dishes. Mom said my sister-in-law, Mila Payne, was pregnant and needed some good food.

As the sun set, my brother and Janet finally arrived. My niece, Lily, ran straight to play with my son, Timmy.

Mom was busy in the kitchen, quickly drying her hands to greet them with a big smile. “Mila’s here! Come, sit down! Dinner will be ready soon!” She even poured a glass of water for Mila while my brother helped her settle in, looking every bit the doting husband.

Watching Mom fuss over them made me feel uneasy. I had been in the kitchen all afternoon, and it seemed like she didn’t even notice me. All the dishes were what Mila liked; I couldn’t understand why she was so nice to her.

At the dinner table, Mom kept piling food onto Mila’s plate, chatting away with excessive warmth, which even made the two kids a little jealous.

Eventually, when Mila couldn’t eat another bite and set her knife and fork down, I noticed Mom’s expression was slightly off. “So, Mila, has that friend of yours said anything?”

Mila understood immediately. “Oh, Mom, I was wondering why you were being so nice to me! My friend checked, and it’s a boy!” She covered her mouth, unable to hide her laughter.

I chimed in, “Well, congratulations to you both! Lily will have a little brother soon.”

Mom fell silent for a moment; her expression was unreadable – was she happy or hesitant? “Do your parents know?”

“Yeah, they found out during lunch. Dad was thrilled, saying our family finally has a boy. They’re already thinking of names,” Mila replied.

Hearing that, Mom’s face darkened even more. I began to understand her intentions. When my brother and Mila got married, they agreed to have two children: the first would take my family’s surname, and the second would take Mila’s. But now, with Lily being a girl and the second child a boy, it seemed Mom’s preference for boys was surfacing.

The atmosphere at the dinner table grew tense. I quickly tried to lighten the mood by asking Timmy to serve Lily some food.

Mila looked at Timmy and suddenly asked, “Timmy, how long have you been living at Grandma’s?”

I found it odd; ever since my divorce, Timmy and I had moved in with Mom. Mila should know that.

Timmy suddenly frowned, “This isn’t Grandma’s house; this is my house! I can live here as long as I want!”

My son was really my little spokesperson, so perceptive. I gave him an approving look.

My brother quickly added, “Mila, let’s not worry about everything right now. The baby is what matters most.”

But Lily wasn’t having it. “You’re lying! Mom said Grandma’s house is mine! Grandma is mine! This is my house, not yours!” She turned to Mila for confirmation, “Mom, Timmy’s lying! He wants to steal Grandma from me!” Then she burst into tears.

Timmy, being three years older, seemed to understand what was happening, tears brimming in his eyes. He looked up at me, full of questions and hurt.

Kids are the most straightforward; their innocent remarks can expose adults’ hidden agendas.

Mom quickly tried to soothe both children, but Lily persisted, “Grandma, tell me! This is my house, not Timmy’s, right?”

Timmy looked at Mom with hopeful eyes.

Mom hesitated, at a loss for words, only continuing to comfort Lily, telling her not to cry.

Lily became frantic, wailing, “Grandma’s lying! Grandma doesn’t love me anymore!”

Seeing Lily upset, Mila began to blame Mom. “Mom, can’t you just say something? Do you really have to let Lily be this sad?”

Feeling cornered, Mom finally replied, “Yes, Grandma’s house is Lily’s. Grandma belongs to Lily.”

Lily calmed down a bit after hearing that, her teary eyes now defiantly on Timmy, who couldn’t hold back his tears any longer. I couldn’t take it anymore. “Mom! What are you doing? You don’t want Lily to be sad, but it’s okay for Timmy to be sad? Just say it’s their house!”

Mom started to avoid my gaze, and I was filled with questions.

At that moment, Mila pulled Lily close and said softly, “You might not know this, but when I married Brian, we had an agreement.”

“I know, Mom told me,” I replied.

But then my brother interrupted, “Enough! Stop it! Look what you’ve turned this holiday into!”

As I watched them play off each other, I felt like an outsider, a chill creeping up my spine.

“Why stop? What’s so hard to say?”