I had some savings at that point and planned to stretch them until Lily started preschool before finding a new job.

But a few months later, Elaine called with terrible news. Albert’s father, Hayden, had collapsed from drinking too much.

The doctors said he’d had a stroke from his long-term drinking.

Albert was in a panic and didn’t have enough money. He begged me to use my savings to help him through this crisis.

Seeing Albert so distressed and knowing this was his father, I couldn’t say no. I handed over all my savings—over $50,000.

Albert hugged me tightly, his eyes red, and promised, “Celia, don’t worry. I’ll give you my entire salary from now on, and I’ll make sure to treat you better.”

With the money, Hayden’s life was saved, but he was left paralyzed on one side, unable to move his left arm and leg, and his speech was affected.

Hayden had always been quick-tempered, and his drinking had led to domestic abuse against Elaine.

After his stroke, his condition worsened, and Elaine cried to Albert every day, “Albert, please help Mom! She can’t keep going like this.”

Albert, feeling helpless, asked if his parents could move in with us. “I feel so sorry for Mom. I’ll take care of Dad, and he won’t be able to hurt her anymore.”

He promised to handle his father’s care while I only needed to look after Lily. I reluctantly agreed to let them move in. At first, Albert kept his promise, taking care of his dad while Elaine did some housework. I was only responsible for Lily.

Hayden’s recovery started off well; he could walk with a cane. But over time, Albert’s financial support dropped from $10,000 to $8,000, then $5,000, and eventually down to just $400 a month.

His patience wore thin with his father’s condition, leaving me to handle everything, including cleaning up after Hayden. Elaine went back to dancing.

With Albert neglecting his father again, Hayden returned to drinking. What had been manageable turned severe; he became bedridden, incontinent, and unable to move.

By the eighth year of being a full-time caregiver, I was doing all the housework, taking care of Lily, and looking after Albert’s parents.

Albert, meanwhile, grudgingly gave me just $400 a month, which I had to beg for. Only my dad continued to support me, quietly slipping me extra money.

After spending three days in the hospital, my dad was adamant about being discharged to return to work. I knew he was anxious about the costs and couldn’t change his mind. All I could do was arrange for his discharge and remind him to take it easy.

As we were about to part ways, my dad pulled out $400 from his bag and handed it to me. “Take this for now. If you need more, just ask.”

Holding the money, I felt a wave of sadness. “Dad, I’m going to find a job and I’m planning to divorce Albert.”

He sighed, patted my shoulder, and said, “I support your decision to get divorced, but make sure you think it through.”

I was in a tough spot. The house was Albert’s before we married, and leaving him now could jeopardize my chances of getting custody of Lily. I had raised Lily on my own, and I couldn’t bear the thought of her living with Albert.

When I got home and opened the door, Elaine turned around and said, “Oh, you’re back.”

She smugly called out to Albert, who was busy tidying up, “See? I told you she’d come back.”

Lily rushed out and jumped into my arms. “Mom, you’re finally home! Dad’s been late dropping me off at school every day, and I’ve been getting punished.”

Albert came out without even glancing at me and snapped, “I’m running out of clean clothes. Make sure you wash the dirty ones today.”

Elaine added, “And Hayden had another accident on the bed. You’ll need to clean that up too.”

I looked around and saw the kitchen sink overflowing with dirty dishes, and the stovetop was covered in grease. Albert’s dirty clothes were tossed in the washing machine, but Hayden’s bed was a mess with stains and adult diapers scattered everywhere. Lily was still wearing the clothes from the day I left, and her hair was a tangled mess.

Elaine kept complaining, “What kind of daughter-in-law are you? I bet your dad’s illness is just a show. You’re only here to avoid your responsibilities.”

Seeing all this, I finally lost it. “I’m going to find a job. I’m done handling this housework.”

Albert stopped in his tracks, turned around, and looked at me like I was a joke. “Find a job? Who’s going to hire you? And remember to wash the clothes,” he said, then slammed the door behind him.

Elaine didn’t take me seriously either. “Oh, it’s getting late. Arthur must be waiting for me.” She followed Albert out.

Ignoring them, I took Lily to school and then started job hunting with my resume in hand. But days went by with no luck. Most companies wanted applicants under 35, and I had just turned 35. With years of caregiving on my resume, many places turned me down immediately.

Sitting on the curb, I wondered if I really had to humiliate myself by asking Albert for money again. Did I have to continue being their free caretaker?