My Husband’s Family Made Me Leave With Nothing

I eloped with my boyfriend of several years, Daniel, keeping the entire affair a secret from my parents. When they eventually found out, their fury was absolute; they disowned me, cutting all ties. Then came the day I gave birth. Daniel was away on a crucial business trip, and his mother, Barbara, flat-out refused to sign the C-section consent form, leaving me alone in the hospital. After I brought our newborn daughter home, Daniels family tried to force me out, penniless. Fine. If thats how they wanted to play, Id make damned sure they were the ones left with nothing.

The babys heartbeat is irregular. We need to perform a C-section immediately.

I lay on the delivery bed, barely registering the doctors words over the searing pain. Beside me, Daniels mother, Barbara, looked frantic.

No, you cant cut her open! she shrieked. My daughter-in-law still needs to have a second child!

The doctor, a woman with weary eyes, patiently explained, A C-section wont prevent her from having more children.

Barbaras voice instantly rose to an ear-splitting yell. What if its a girl? We still want another one! Its so much easier to raise two kids close in age, and everyone knows naturally born babies are much smarter than C-section babies!

The doctors patience visibly thinned. Her brows furrowed. Maam, if you dont sign this consent form now, both the mother and the baby will be in danger.

The rhythmic beeping of the monitor grew more frantic, a desperate plea from my child. I struggled to lift my head from the bed, the effort a monumental task. Doctor, Ill sign it myself. Do the C-section now.

The doctor extended the form towards me, but before I could reach it, Barbara slapped it right out of my hand. You cant cut! I see youre just being dramatic and afraid of a little pain! Women have been giving birth naturally for centuries, why are you so delicate?

No sooner had the words left her lips than the doctors voice boomed, cutting through the tense air. Maam, this isnt about grandsons or granddaughters right now. If you keep delaying, you might not have any grandchild to hold!

Ever since Barbara had learned that I might be carrying a girl, she hadnt stopped harping on about having a second child immediately after this one, all under the guise of raising them together. In reality, it was her thinly veiled obsession with having a grandson. My heart turned to ice.

Clenching my jaw against another wave of pain, I managed to tell the doctor, I want the C-section. Im the mother, and I make the decisions for my body and my baby!

The doctor gently pushed Barbara aside, pressing a pen into my hand. Quickly, we dont have much time!

Amidst Barbaras furious shouts, I was wheeled into the operating room.

An hour later, my daughter was placed gently in my arms. The nurse took her out to find Barbara, but returned just a few minutes later, her expression apologetic.

Evelyn, your mother-in-law has left the hospital.

I couldnt believe it. Barbara had actually abandoned me in the hospital right after I gave birth. The nurse asked if I had any other family members to contact. I shook my head weakly. Daniel was on a crucial business trip. Even if something went seriously wrong, he wouldnt be able to make it back in time.

Suddenly, my phone on the bedside table vibrated. Seeing the caller ID, my nose stung, and tears welled up. I pressed the answer button, and my mother, Catherines, anxious voice filled the room.

Evelyn, where are you? I heard you were pregnant! Whens the baby due? How could you be so cruel, just cut us off completely, not even a single call?

I sniffled, trying to compose myself, but it was too late. My mothers voice immediately turned panicked. Evelyn, are you crying? Tell me, whats wrong?

When Id left home, theyd told me I had to live with my choices, and Id stubbornly vowed to prove Id found happiness. What did this situation even count as?

Suddenly, a video call from Daniel popped up. I quickly hung up on my mother and answered.

Daniels face on the screen looked displeased. Evelyn, Mom said you were scared of the pain and insisted on a C-section. Didnt you always say you wanted to try for a natural birth for our baby?

I couldnt believe he was saying this. He, who had always indulged and spoiled me, was now speaking to me with such a dismissive tone, right after Id given birth. I stared at my own pale, fragile face reflected on the phone screen and took a deep, shaky breath.

Daniel, do you actually think your mother was right?

He hesitated at my direct question, then quickly reverted to his usual placating manner. Evelyn, Im sorry, my tone was wrong. Of course, Mom wasnt completely right, but shes older, she has experience, she just thought she knew what was best for you and the baby.

A bitter laugh bubbled up in my chest. Best for me and the baby? I was about to retort when Daniel cut me off again.

Evelyn, call Mom, apologize, and Ill ask her to come to the hospital and bring you home.

I snorted. Daniel, Ive done nothing wrong, why would I apologize? And if your family doesnt want this baby, then Ill take her and leave.

I hung up, the words a raw wound in the air. The surgical incision in my belly throbbed, a sharp, searing pain, and I lay back on the bed, feeling as if every ounce of strength had been drained from me. Looking at my daughter, sleeping peacefully beside me, I made a silent, firm decision.

After a few days in the hospital, I took my baby and went home.

I pushed open the front door to find several elderly women playing mahjong in the living room. One cackled, Barbara, youve got real nerve! These young ones are so delicate nowadays, you have to put them in their place, or theyll walk all over you!

Barbaras shrill, grating voice cut through the air. Hmph, I just want her to know who runs this house! Pong! Mahjong!

Another old woman pointed at me, standing in the doorway. Look, your daughter-in-laws back.

All eyes turned to me. Martha, the nanny Id hired, followed me in, cradling my daughter. I told her to take the baby straight to the nursery.

Barbara stood up, pointing an accusing finger at me. Whats the meaning of this? Im still alive and kicking, and youre already bringing strangers into my house to care for the baby?

A woman beside her chimed in, Where Im from, you only hire a nanny if the mother-in-law is dead! Barbara, it sounds like your daughter-in-law is practically wishing you gone!

I walked slowly towards Barbara, my voice clear and steady. Mother, you said you didnt want to care for the baby, so I hired someone. Is there something wrong with that?

Barbaras face reddened, humiliated in front of her friends. She slammed a mahjong tile onto the table. Is my sons money just growing on trees? In our day, every mother raised her own children! But you, youre too precious. If you hadnt been so afraid of pain, youd be up and about, working by now!

The other women, eager for more drama, egged her on.

Thats right, young lady, you need to change that attitude. If youd married into any other family, you wouldnt have it so good. Its only because Barbara has such a good temper!

You should be grateful, dear. Youre married now, stop acting like a princess!

Exactly. These girls from out of town just dont know their place.

The old women jabbered on, their words a venomous chorus. Barbara looked at me, her tone dismissive. You send that nanny away. We dont need a nanny in this house.

Was she seriously implying that I, a woman recovering from major surgery, should manage postpartum care and childcare all by myself? I glanced at the row of gossiping old women and let out a cold laugh.

Mother, with Martha here, you can finally go back to your hometown and rest for a while.

Just as I finished speaking, the front door burst open, and Daniels sister, Sarah, walked in. Barbara, seizing her cue, dramatically collapsed onto the floor, wailing. Oh, why me? Why do I have such an ungrateful daughter-in-law? Shes barely given birth and shes already trying to kick me out!

Sarah rushed over to me, her face contorted in displeasure. Sister-in-law, what is the meaning of this? My mother traveled all this way from her hometown to help you, and this is how you treat her?

What a performance! A classic case of the thief crying thief. I took a deep breath, trying to stay calm. Mother herself said she didnt want to take care of the baby, so I suggested she go back to her hometown to rest.

Sarah looked at Barbara, who shook her head vigorously, playing the victim perfectly.

Sister-in-law, Sarah sneered at me, when you insisted on marrying my brother, I thought you were a decent, quiet girl. I never expected youd try to bully my mother like this!

No sooner had she spoken than Barbara on the floor started groaning about her aching back, loudly bemoaning how she had worked herself to the bone only to raise such a white-eyed wolf of a daughter-in-law. Sarah immediately pulled out her phone and called Daniel.

Brother, your wonderful wife is trying to kick Mom out of your house! Is this how a wife should act? Or have you married a wife and completely forgotten about your mother?

Coupled with Barbaras agonizing cries, Daniels furious voice roared from the other end of the phone. Ill be home tomorrow. Ill make sure you and Mom get the apology you deserve!

Barbara instantly stopped crying, and Sarah glared at me triumphantly.

I couldnt waste any more breath on their theatrics. I turned to go to the room, intending to take my daughter to the other apartment my grandmother had left me. But Sarah grabbed my arm, yanking me back. I lost my balance and crashed to the floor, a searing pain shooting through my abdomen.

Martha, the nanny, came out of the nursery after settling the baby and gasped at the sight. She rushed to help me up. What happened? You just had a C-section! You need three months to recover! Lying on the cold floor like this, youll suffer from postpartum illness!

Barbara, still on the floor but now in a less dramatic pose, mumbled, So delicate. Who hasnt given birth? Its not a big deal.

Martha helped me to my feet. I whispered to her, Pack our things. Were leaving.

By the time Martha emerged with my daughter, Daniels family and their friends were all comfortably settled on the sofa, watching TV as if nothing had happened. Before I could even reach the door, Sarah lunged forward, trying to snatch the baby from Marthas arms.

You want to leave? Fine, no ones stopping you! But the baby stays! This is my brothers child, youre not taking her anywhere!

Martha instinctively shielded the baby, looking at me with worried eyes. I glanced at the group of women in the living room. A physical confrontation wouldnt work. I instructed Martha to take the baby back to the room.

Fine, I said, my voice steady. Well wait until Daniel gets back tomorrow. Well get a divorce, and then well leave.

At my words, Barbara shrieked, pointing an accusing finger at me. Evelyn! Are you seeing someone else? You must be! Is that why youre so desperate for a divorce? Maybe the baby isnt even Daniels!

As Barbara finished, the other women in the room cast disgusted glances my way. Her voice grew even louder. I knew these women from out of town couldnt be trusted! Who knows what kind of past she has, how many men shes been with! Oh, my poor son!

Sarah, never one to be outdone, joined her mother, spewing venomous insults at me.

I retreated to the bedroom and locked the door. I pulled up the home security camera footage, clipped the last few minutes of their performance, and sent the video to Daniel. I wanted to see how hed handle this.

The next day, Daniel returned, his face a thundercloud. He walked into the bedroom where I was eating.

Evelyn, my love, I promise Ill have a serious talk with Mom about all this. But you need to cut her some slack too; shes getting old, after all.

I put down my chopsticks and pointed towards our sleeping daughter. Daniel, your mother is obsessed with having a son. Now shes going around telling everyone Im having an affair. Youve seen the video yourself.

Daniels face flushed with embarrassment. He tried to pull me into a hug. Honey, Ill talk to Mom. Its just that you hiring a nanny made her lose face.

Ignoring the fresh pain in my incision, I glared at him. Daniel, I never knew you were such a mamas boy!

Suddenly, Barbara burst into the room and slapped me across the face. You watch your mouth! Who are you calling a mamas boy?!

Her speed caught me off guard. I clutched my burning cheek, my teeth clenched. Daniel, were getting a divorce.

He looked at me calmly. Evelyn, you just gave birth; your hormones are all over the place. Ill pretend I didnt hear that.