**He’s Tearing Us Apart: I Fear My Husband’s Uncle Will Ruin Our Family**
My husband, James, has always looked up to his uncle, Albert Thompson. He respected him, saw him as a role model, trusted him in everything. But from day one, I never understood what was so admirable about the man. Harsh, irritable, constantly at odds with everyone—neighbours, colleagues, even family. At his old job, they only put up with him because of his seniority, though he’d managed to fall out with half the team.
Everything changed when Albert brought James into his crew. No one ever lasted long—everyone quit within six months. He nitpicked, rushed people, shifted blame. But James is gentle, avoids conflict. He endured, silently redoing work, smoothing over his uncle’s outbursts. Occasionally, he snapped, but they’d make up. James even liked the job, though the unfair profit split—half to Albert, half to him—always rankled with me.
After we married, I realised James shouldn’t drink. He becomes a different person—aggressive, unpredictable. I’d hoped Albert might guide him, since James respected him so much. But it backfired. Instead of helping, he poured fuel on the fire. They started going to the pub together. After those nights, James was in a terrible state. When I tried to speak up, he’d say, *”The man is the head of the household, and the woman should obey.”* I’m certain those words came from his uncle.
Later, during one argument, James started repeating nonsense about my mother—claims she was a troublemaker, turning people against him. They’d only met twice, both times politely. It became clear: Albert wasn’t just influencing him—he was turning my husband against my family. Against me.
James and I used to make decisions together. Now, he pulls away. He ignores my advice, takes every comment as an attack. As if I’m a threat to his uncle, not his wife. I watched him change and knew Albert was the root of it all. But how do you fight someone your husband sees as an authority?
Then, unexpectedly, Albert was sacked. One too many clashes, and management had enough. But James—he was promoted. Put in his uncle’s old role. It shattered Albert’s pride. He left town, claiming it was “temporary,” though I knew he couldn’t bear being beneath James.
And now, my husband tells me Albert is coming back. Offered a position as his assistant. I begged James to talk to management, find someone else. He refused. Said he couldn’t manage without help, that they’d worked well together before.
But I know how this ends. Albert won’t accept being subordinate. He’ll find a way to undermine James, to sabotage him. He’s done it before. He’s envious. He can’t work as an equal. He always has to be on top.
I don’t recognise my husband anymore. He’s become a puppet in his uncle’s hands. If this continues, I’m afraid we won’t survive it. Either he’ll lose his job, or I’ll lose my family. Maybe both. I don’t know how to live with this dread, how to save what little we have left.
