I’ve been married to Masato for sixteen years. We live together with our three kids — Yuma (7th grade), Rei (5th grade), and Takuto (2nd grade). Then one day, my mother-in-law was diagnosed with a serious illness. That’s when I learned my husband had an older brother who’d been shut in for over twenty years. Masato acted like we were the victims — as if I was the bad guy for not accepting it. I couldn’t take it anymore, so I took the kids and went back to my parents’ house.
When I finally said the word “divorce,” he must’ve realized things were serious, because he suddenly started acting sorry… or so I thought.
It’s unbelievable. My mother-in-law, who once hurled awful insults at me, now acts like nothing happened — asking me to help with her hospital visits and recovery. And my husband, who promised to keep his parents away from us, suddenly passes along her requests like that promise never existed. When I refused, his whole family turned on me again, painting me as the villain. I’ve had enough! No matter what they say, I will never take care of her.
But then… a voicemail came to my phone from the hospital — and I was completely stunned.