My In-Laws Treated My Bakery Like a Free Buffet — Until I Served Them a Lesson They’d Never Forget
Opening Sweet Haven, my own bakery, was supposed to be a dream come true. I poured years of hard work, sacrifice, and every penny I had into making it happen. But I never imagined the biggest threat to my business would come from my own extended family — not strangers, but my in-laws.
At first, it was sweet. On opening day, my husband’s relatives arrived in droves — cheering, hugging, and praising the pastries. Cousins I barely knew, aunts who’d never visited before, even grumpy Uncle Ray made an appearance. “Just a few samples for family,” they said. I was touched, and I agreed.
But the next day, Aunt Linda was back for a muffin. Then came daily visits — cupcakes, cookies, loaves of bread — whole boxes taken without payment and without shame. “It’s not like it costs you anything,” Uncle Ray said, grabbing a sourdough loaf like it was his birthright. “We’re family.”
I tried talking to my husband. He shrugged it off. “They’ll pay eventually.” But eventually never came. Real customers were turned away — shelves were wiped out by 10 a.m. I was losing money, time, and energy trying to keep up. The bakery wasn’t just struggling — it was unraveling.
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