I walked around to the back, peering through the windows, and froze. Inside, my mother-in-law, Sylvia, stood in the living room, laughing, holding one of my daughters’ baby blankets. Derek was there too, pacing, his face tense.
“She’s out of our lives, Mom,” I heard him say. “Just like you wanted.”
My heart slammed against my ribs. I stumbled back, tears flooding my eyes. He had chosen her. He had actually chosen his manipulative mother over me and our daughters.
I hurried back to the car, trying to control my shaking hands. But as I reached the driver’s seat, a surge of fury overtook my despair. I was done being a victim. If Derek wanted to betray me, I would show him and his mother that I was not someone they could bully.
I called my mom, asking her to watch the twins a little longer. Then I drove straight to Sylvia’s house, where I knew Derek’s brother, Tom, lived with her. Tom was always honest with me, the one person in the family who didn’t bend to Sylvia’s manipulative ways.
When I knocked, Tom opened the door, his face instantly lighting up. “Jenna? I thought you were at home with the twins.”
“I should be,” I said, swallowing my anger. “But Derek threw me out. I need to know why.”
Tom’s smile vanished. He pulled me inside, away from prying eyes. “What are you talking about? Derek told me you ran off with the babies after a fight. Mom’s been telling everyone you’re having some kind of breakdown.”
My knees nearly buckled. “A breakdown? Tom, I just had twins. I didn’t run away — Derek changed the locks and threw my stuff out.”
Tom’s face twisted with anger. “That’s it. I knew something was off. I’m taking you back to the house. You need to hear the truth from him yourself.”
We got into his truck, and I felt a mix of dread and determination. Tom parked down the street, and we walked up quietly. The front door was slightly ajar, and we could hear voices.
“Mom, stop it,” Derek’s voice pleaded. “I can’t keep lying to everyone.”
“You have to,” Sylvia snapped. “That woman is nothing but a gold digger who trapped you with those babies. You were supposed to marry someone respectable!”
“But I love her—”
“LOVE? You think love is worth losing your family’s support? That house is in my name, and if you want to keep it, you’ll do what I say.”
My anger boiled over. I stepped into the doorway, Tom beside me. “You mean the house I helped pay for? The house I made a home while you poisoned my husband against me?”
Both Sylvia and Derek turned pale.
“Jenna—” Derek stammered, taking a step toward me.
“Save it,” I spat. “I heard everything. You let your mother destroy our marriage. I begged you to stand by us, but you chose her over your own daughters.”
“No, I didn’t… I just—”
“Enough!” Tom roared, stepping between us. “Derek, this is insane. Mom has you wrapped around her finger. You threw out your wife and newborns because of her lies?”
“She’s not lying!” Sylvia shouted, her face twisted with rage. “That woman is after your money!”
“What money, Sylvia?” I laughed, tears streaming down my face. “You act like Derek is a millionaire. We’ve struggled, worked hard, saved every penny, and I supported him through everything!”
Derek’s face crumpled. “Jenna… I didn’t know what to do.”
“Yes, you did. You chose to let her manipulate you. You chose to betray your family. But guess what? I’m done. I’m done begging you to be a father, done fighting for someone who won’t fight for me.”
Sylvia’s smile widened, but before she could say anything, Tom stepped forward. “You’re a monster, Mom. This is your fault. You’ve destroyed his marriage.”
“How dare you?” Sylvia gasped.
“How dare you!” Tom shouted back. “I’m calling Dad. I’m telling him everything.”
Sylvia’s face paled even more. She had always kept her manipulations hidden from Derek’s father, who was a kind, straightforward man.
“No!” she pleaded, reaching for Tom. But he stormed out, and I turned to leave.
“Jenna!” Derek called, but I didn’t stop. I didn’t look back.
I returned to my mother’s house, where I held my daughters close, feeling both devastated and liberated.
Two days later, Tom called. Derek wanted to talk. I refused.
But I did speak with their father, who was furious with Sylvia and Derek. He promised to help me secure the house I had a right to, and within a week, I was back in my home — without Derek.
Months passed, and while Sylvia tried to reach out, I blocked her. Derek sent letters of apology, but I ignored them.
I had my daughters, I had my dignity, and I had my peace.
Sometimes, the greatest betrayal leads you to the greatest strength.
And for me, choosing myself and my girls was the best decision I ever made.