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.

Six months later, we were happily celebrating in our new home when my mother-in-law revealed her expectations. That evening, she announced, “Now that you’ve bought an apartment with help, it’s your turn to help me get a house.”

John stood firm. “We worked hard for this, and the only people we owe are my in-laws who supported us,” he said. He added that if his brother hadn’t improved his situation by now, it wasn’t their responsibility.

John refused to involve himself in his mother’s plans, even when she brought up Sasha’s children and their lack of housing.

Eventually, my mother-in-law left, and John decided not to dwell on the matter. Our focus shifted to the exciting news we’d just received—we were expecting our first child.