When my husband and I finally bought our own apartment after years of saving, my mother-in-law came over and said something to us that we couldn’t believe with our own ears.

My mother-in-law believes we owe her something, though her reasoning remains unclear. Unlike her, my parents have always supported us.

I married John nearly five years ago, and at that time, my mother-in-law lived with John’s older brother, James, his wife, and their two kids. We had no place in their home, but John and I were determined to secure our own space before starting a family.

After four years of hard work, we saved enough for a down payment on an apartment. My parents encouraged and supported us throughout, even stepping in to help when my father made a surprising decision.

To care for my grandmother, who couldn’t live alone, my parents sold her condo and gave us the proceeds. Combined with our savings, this allowed us to buy a two-bedroom condo without a mortgage.

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