These small gifts further convinced them that I had reverted to being the submissive, manageable Lauren, and they grew more and more comfortable exposing their plans.
“Lauren, my niece’s wedding is next month. We have to give a generous envelope. We can’t look cheap,” Mrs. Helen requested one night.
“Of course, Helen. How much is customary?” I asked, taking notes on my phone as if it were an important shopping list.
“Minimum one thousand dollars. We are an important family. We have to keep up appearances.”
I nodded.
“Understood. I’ll set it aside.”
In my room, that note wasn’t a shopping list, but a list of grievances. Every request, every complaint, every plan that drained my energy and my wallet, I documented meticulously. Date, amount of money, and the reason they gave. It was my collection of evidence to strengthen my position. One night, when everyone was asleep, I went out onto the balcony. The night air caressed my skin. I looked at the stars in the dark sky and thought of my mother.
“Mom,” I whispered. “Maybe I can’t be as fragrant as a jasmine like you were, but I will be as strong as its roots. I will protect everything you left me.”
A pang of guilt crept in. I was becoming calculating. But then I remembered the sound of their cold laughter behind the door. I remembered how they pawned my mother’s ring without hesitation. This wasn’t malice. It was self-defense. It was a war to regain control of my own life. I took a deep breath. The preparation phase was almost complete. The attorney had sent the draft of the postnuptial agreement. The details of the pawned ring were being tracked. My accounts were secure. Soon, I would give them the biggest surprise of their lives. And for that, I had to remain patient, keep smiling, and continue playing my role as the ideal daughter-in-law until the time was right.
I returned to the room and looked at Matt, sleeping peacefully. It saddened me because in my grand plan, he would also be hurt. But his final choice would determine which side he would take. Or, as usual, perhaps he would choose none at all. A month passed, and I became a very patient spectator and an excellent listener. Every weekend, when the family gathered in the living room, I would sit on the sidelines, listening intently.
“The stock market is booming, but more capital is needed,” Mr. Arthur commented one afternoon, glancing at me.
“Oh, what a shame. But I’m sure you’ll find a solution, Arthur,” I replied with false enthusiasm. “If you need it, I can help you look up information on small business loans for entrepreneurs.”
They were increasingly convinced I was on their side. Even Mrs. Helen started complaining about more trivial things, like the housekeeper, who she claimed was inefficient.
“Lauren, you find a new one. I want one who is young and strong. I want to train her from scratch.”
“Of course, Helen. I’ll start looking next week,” I replied, thinking that soon they would be the ones needing to look for work.
The climax came at the end of the month. Just a week before payday, they held a family meeting without me, of course. I came home a little later on purpose and could hear their animated voices from outside. I didn’t need to eavesdrop. I could already guess the content. The next day, Mrs. Helen approached me as I was tending to a small garden I had started on the balcony.
“Lauren, your father and I want to talk to you.”
I stopped what I was doing and greeted her with a smile.
“Yes, Helen. What’s wrong?”
“You see, Matt’s siblings need more money for their final-year projects and our monthly allowance. Well, with the rising prices, we think it needs to be increased. Also, I’ve been thinking of joining a new social circle with very important people. The entry fee is considerable, but the prestige is enormous.”
She mentioned a figure that, although I was prepared for it, still took my breath away inside. The sum was almost half my salary. It was their final test. How far could they push me? I didn’t answer right away. I looked at the small jasmine pot I had planted myself as a reminder of my mother. Its flowers were in full bloom, fragrant. I took a deep breath and looked at her, my face showing serious concentration.
“That’s a significant request, Helen.”
I paused for a moment, seeing the hope in her eyes.
“But for the family, I’ll try. Give me until payday. I’ll arrange everything.”
Mrs. Helen’s face lit up. She even touched my shoulder, an incredibly rare gesture of affection.
“I knew you were a good girl. Matt is lucky to have you.”
When she left, my smile vanished. It was enough. This was the irrefutable proof of their limitless greed. I had given them enough rope to hang themselves.
The last few days before the big day were spent perfecting everything. The attorney finalized all the documents. The postnuptial agreement, which clearly stated that all assets acquired through my own efforts were my exclusive property, was ready to be signed. The official certificate from the pawn shop, successfully tracked by the lawyer, confirming that a ring matching the specifications of my mother’s had been pawned by Mr. Arthur, was also in a pristine blue folder. I had even rented a small, modest apartment as their future residence. I didn’t want them to end up literally on the street. I wanted them to experience a simple life earned through their own efforts. I also prepared a resignation letter from my position as the family treasurer, written in formal, cold language that detailed all the expenses of the last year, along with the notes of their requests I had been taking.
The night before payday, Matt seemed nervous.
“Lauren, are you really going to give them that much money tomorrow? It’s a huge amount. You’ll barely have anything left for yourself.”
I looked at him. A small spark of hope ignited in my heart. Maybe he would finally defend me.
“What should I do, Matt? Tell me, please. Your mother has already asked for it.”
He was silent for a long time, looking at the floor.
“I’ll try to talk to them to reduce the amount.”
That wasn’t a defense. It was a negotiation. My last hope was extinguished.
“Don’t worry, Matt. Tomorrow, everything will be clear and everything will change.”
He looked at me, confused, but I just gave him a small smile before turning off the light. I couldn’t sleep. My heart pounded, imagining the scene the next day. I was scared, of course, and anxious. But behind it all, I felt an immense relief, like someone who has held their breath for a long time and can finally let it out. Tomorrow, the masks would fall. Tomorrow, the real Lauren would appear.
The day arrived: Friday, payday. The atmosphere at home was different. Normally, they acted normal, but today Mrs. Helen seemed especially dressed up. Mr. Arthur was busy checking something on his phone, perhaps information on the stock market or real estate. They looked like hunters who could already see their prey. I got dressed for the office as usual, but with the mindset of a general going into battle. I received my salary transfer notification on my phone while still at the office. The amount, as usual, was substantial, but this time not a single cent would go to them.
Upon returning home, I could feel their expectant gazes from the living room. They were even already seated neatly on the sofa. Matt was by their side, his face tense.
“Ah, you’re back. We were waiting for you,” Mrs. Helen greeted me in an almost friendly tone.
“Sorry, Helen. I had to finish a couple of things,” I replied calmly.
I placed my briefcase on a chair. Then, without changing my expression, I took out a thin brown envelope from inside. It was very different from the thick envelope I used to give them. I placed it on the table in front of them.
“Here you go for this month’s expenses.”
