When Layla inherits a fortune, her future mother-in-law sees nothing but dollar signs. Without hesitation, she hands Layla a list of extravagant gifts she expects for the family. But Layla has her own plans. As greed takes over and loyalties break, she gives them one last gift—one they’ll never forget.
When my MIL-to-be, Denise, found out I inherited $500,000 from my late grandmother, she suddenly became extra welcoming.
One night before our wedding, she pulled me aside, smiling like a cat who just cornered a mouse.
“I have something for you, sweetheart.” She handed me an envelope.
I opened it, expecting some sentimental note. Instead?
A demand list.
A Cartier bracelet “as a symbol of love and appreciation.” A Rolex for her husband. A car for my fiancé’s sister. Oh, and a $2,000 monthly “family contribution” to prove my commitment.
I stared at her. “Are you serious?”
Denise’s smile didn’t waver. “It’s just how we do things. You’re lucky to have this money—we need to know you’re serious about US.”
I felt my blood boil. My grandmother died, and this woman acted like I won the lottery.
Then she sealed her fate.
“If you really love my son, you’ll do this.”
I didn’t yell. I didn’t storm out. Instead, I smiled sweetly.
“Oh, Denise, you’re absolutely right. Family takes care of family.”
Her eyes sparkled with greed.
I spent the next few days preparing. That Sunday, I returned with beautifully wrapped gifts. One by one, I handed them out.
Denise’s hands trembled as she opened her special box.
To her? A Cartier box. She gasped as she opened it… only to find a plastic bracelet from the dollar store.
To Elena? A toy car.
Father-in-law? A fake watch.
For the family vacation? A family pamphlet for a budget bus tour of the city.
And that $20,000 loan? A Monopoly “bank loan” card.
Denise’s smile vanished. “WHAT THE HELL IS THIS?!”
Denise’s face turned red.
“This isn’t funny. Not at all.”
I leaned in, my voice steady.
“No, Denise. What’s actually not funny is you expecting me to buy my way into this family like some outsider paying a membership fee. I’ve been here for three years. But you still treat me like a stranger.”
Jake, my fiancé, finally spoke.
“Babe, you’re overreacting again,” he sighed.
I turned to him.
“No, Jake. I’m not. Your mother tried to manipulate me into handing over my inheritance like I owed it to her. And the fact that you just sat there and let it happen?”
I took a deep breath, then dropped the final bomb.
“Oh, and don’t worry about the wedding. It’s not happening. We’re not happening. I’m done.”
And with that, I walked out.
I didn’t even flinch when Jake showed up later, his voice shaking with panic.
“What… what is this?” He gestured wildly at the boxes. “Are you—are you seriously kicking me out?”
“Jake, just stop. The moment you let your mother treat me like a walking ATM without defending me, I realized—I loved the idea of us more than the reality.”
It was over. For weeks, Jake bombarded my phone with apologies, excuses, and desperate pleas.
His final message? “My mom got carried away, but we can move past this. I love you.”
I never replied. Denise tried to smear me online, calling me a gold digger.
I didn’t care. I used my inheritance to buy a beautiful home—one no greedy in-laws would ever step foot in.