“I’m Furious with My Mother-in-Law: She Left the House to My Husband’s Brother, and My Husband Got Nothing”: It Just Feels So Unfair

I never thought I’d be in this position, feeling so betrayed by my own family-in-law. But here I am, seething with anger and frustration. Yesterday was supposed to be a day of clarity and fairness, but it turned into a nightmare that I can’t seem to wake up from.

My mother-in-law, Linda, decided it was time to gather the family and announce her will. She invited everyone over to her house: her children, their spouses, and all the grandchildren. We all sat in the living room, waiting anxiously to hear what she had to say. I had always thought Linda was a fair woman, someone who would treat her children equally. But I was wrong.

Linda started by thanking everyone for coming and then began to read out her will. She had a three-bedroom house in a nice neighborhood, some savings, and a few valuable pieces of jewelry. As she went through the list of who would get what, my heart started to race. She left the house to my husband’s brother, Mark. The savings were to be split between Mark and their sister, Susan. The jewelry was to go to the grandchildren.

And my husband? He got nothing. Absolutely nothing.

I couldn’t believe it. My husband, John, has always been there for his mom. He helped her with everything – from fixing things around the house to taking her to doctor’s appointments. He never asked for anything in return. And this is how she repays him?

I felt a surge of anger rise up inside me. How could she do this to him? To us? We have two kids and could really use the extra space that the house would provide. Mark is single and has a good job; he doesn’t need the house as much as we do.

After Linda finished reading the will, there was an awkward silence in the room. I could see the hurt in John’s eyes, but he didn’t say anything. He just sat there, staring at the floor. I wanted to scream, to demand an explanation, but I knew it wouldn’t change anything.

As we drove home, I couldn’t hold back my frustration any longer. “How could she do this to you?” I asked John. “It’s so unfair!”

John sighed and shook his head. “I don’t know,” he said quietly. “Maybe she thinks Mark needs it more than we do.”

“But that’s not true!” I exclaimed. “We need that house! We have a family to take care of!”

John didn’t respond. He just kept driving, his face a mask of sadness and resignation.

Since that day, things haven’t been the same between us and his family. I can’t look at Linda without feeling a wave of anger and betrayal. Every time we visit her, I feel like I’m walking on eggshells, trying not to let my true feelings show.

I know people will judge me for feeling this way. They’ll say I’m being greedy or that I should be grateful for what we have. But it’s not about the money or the house. It’s about fairness and respect. John deserved better than this.

I’ve tried talking to Linda about it, but she just brushes me off, saying that she did what she thought was best for everyone. But how can leaving one of your children out of your will be what’s best for everyone?

I don’t know what the future holds for our family. This rift between us and John’s family feels like it’s only going to get bigger with time. I just hope that one day, Linda will realize how much she’s hurt us and try to make things right.

But until then, I’ll continue to feel this burning sense of injustice every time I think about that day.