“Did we really build our house for nothing?”
“Are you saying we built this huge house for nothing?” snapped the mother-in-law. “Then pay me back half the cost!”
“I need to have a serious talk with you,” said the short-haired woman, sitting across from Charlotte. “Before you marry my son, there are things you should know.”
The slender blonde gave her future mother-in-law a puzzled looktheyd only met three times.
“To put it simply, if you want to join our family, you must understand that the most important people in Olivers life are his parents!” declared Antonia proudly. “We dont need a daughter-in-law wholl boss him around.”
“Am I bossing him?” Charlotte interrupted.
“Listen to the end, please! Show some patience,” Antonia replied sharply.
Charlotte lowered her eyes, embarrassed. She didnt want to upset Olivers mother. They hadnt been together long, and she didnt want to seem difficult.
Theyd barely been dating, and Charlotte wasnt about to make a bad impression.
“So,” Antonia continued, “our family has a planonce Oliver marries, well move into the house thats nearly finished. Well all live together as one big happy family!”
“Brilliant!” Charlotte forced a smile.
Antonia raised an eyebrow, surprised. She hadnt expected such quick agreement.
“Im delighted youre on board! I think well get along splendidly,” Antonia said with a wink.
She soon began praising Charlotte to Oliver, calling her wonderful, clever, and thoughtful.
Seeing an opportunity, Charlotte went out of her way to impress her, bringing little gifts to show her thoughtfulness.
A year later, fearing they might not marry, Antonia pushed Oliver to propose.
“When are you going to pop the question?” she nagged almost daily. “She might slip away, and youll regret it!”
Finally giving in, Oliver proposed, and Charlotte happily accepted. His parents covered the wedding costs, convincing her shed picked well.
The newlyweds lived in a rented flat for three months before Antonia announced the house was ready.
“Pack your thingswere moving in!” she told them.
“Why? Were fine here!” Charlotte scowled, dreading living with her in-laws.
“What do you mean why? We agreed wed all move in once the house was done!”
“Move in if you likewhos stopping you?” Charlotte said coldly, her tone shifting.
Antonia was so stunned she fell silent.
“You promised,” she said quietly.
“That was then. I dont want to live with you now!” Charlotte snapped. “Well live separately. In fact, since youre leaving, Oliver and I will take your flat.”
“What? Dont get clever with me!” Antonia hissed. “Cheeky thing!” She hung up in a rage.
Charlotte stared at the phone, baffled, before hanging up. Seconds later, Olivers phone rang in the kitchen.
She listened as Antonia ranted at him. Half an hour later, Oliver stormed in, furious.
“Whats going on?” he demanded.
“Whats wrong?” Charlotte crossed her arms.
“Mum called. She wants money.”
“What money? For what?” The demand shocked her.
“For the house. What did you promise her before the wedding?” Oliver frowned. “Living there together?”
“Nothing,” Charlotte feigned innocence.
“You agreed to her plan, didnt you?”
“So what? I changed my mind!” She looked away.
“I never supported itI thought she was wasting her time! The house sat unfinished for three years until she rushed to finish it after our wedding. Because of you!”
“Its done nowwhats the issue?” Charlotte snapped.
Olivers phone rang again. Instead of answering, he shoved it at her. “Here, talk to her!”
Antonias voice was sharp. “Pay me back for the house!”
“What repayment? Youre mad!”
“Did we build that house for nothing? Give me half its value!”
“Half? Ridiculous!” Charlotte scoffed.
“Five hundred thousand pounds! You owe me five hundred thousand!” Antonia yelled. “Or else”
“Or what? I never signed anything!”
“Then well cut you off completely!”
“Fine by me!” Charlotte hung up, smirking.
Antonia hounded Oliver instead, forcing him to pay £5,000 a month.
“At this rate, youll take a decade to pay me back!” she fumed. “Either move into the house or pay more.”
With no extra cash, Oliver agreed. Charlotte refusedand within six months, the marriage was over.
