Friends say the man is unlucky with his wife, but even more so with her parents.
The woman comes from a well-off family and never denies herself anything. Her parents sent her to one of the top universities and made sure she never lacked a thing. After she graduated, she took a job, but every penny went straight into her own account. Her father is immensely proud of her wealth management skills, as he calls it, but never misses the chance to scold her husband for not bringing in enough money.
You need to be a rock so my daughter can lean on you for support, the father demands at every occasion. If she falls ill, are you sure you can cover everything? Have you got enough money put aside to take her on a proper holiday abroad?
The topic of money never bothered the young couple themselves; they were happy to share what they had. But at every family gathering, the father-in-law clings to this issue, making it impossible to ignore. Its reached the point where the man dreads seeing his in-laws and looks for excuses to be busy whenever he can. He even hopes to miss his father-in-laws birthday celebration this year, but his wife literally drags him by the arm, plants him at the dinner table, and insists he smiles for the assembled friends and family.
So, what does your son-in-law do for a living? one of the guests suddenly asks.
Hes a regular office worker, the birthday man replies with obvious contempt. Only brings in small change. My daughters the real breadwinner in their household.
The man is tired of the constant belittling. Its not just humiliatingits wearing him down.
Actually, Im not an ordinary office worker. Im head of a planning team, and my salary is respectable. You do realise we split everything equally, dont you? Its not like I can just snap my fingers and become a board director or buy my wife a mansion and a flashy car. And if youre that worried about your daughter, why didnt you help us with a house deposit?
The father-in-law laughs light-heartedly, clearly enjoying having provoked such a reaction.
After the candles, cake, and a cup of tea, the man steps outside for a smoke, and his father-in-law joins him.
Not bad, the older man muses, youre definitely making progress. Youre no fool, you know your worth, and at last you can stand up for yourself. Dont always hold your tongue, or youll stay at the bottom forever.
He realises his father-in-law deliberately needles him, pushing him just to see how hell respond. Money, it turns out, isnt as important as being able to set boundaries and stand up for the person you love. After that birthday, in his in-laws eyes, he suddenly seems more grown-up, more grounded, more of a man.
