He’s tearing us apart from the inside: I’m terrified my husband’s uncle will destroy our family.
My husband, James Wilson, always looked up to his uncle—William Sullivan. Respected him, took his advice, trusted him completely. But from day one, I never understood why. The man was harsh, irritable, always at odds with everyone—neighbours, coworkers, even family. At his old job, they only put up with him because of his years of service, even though he’d managed to fall out with half the team.
Then everything changed when William took James into his crew. No one ever lasted long under him—most quit within six months. He nitpicked everything, rushed people, blamed others for his mistakes. But James is gentle, avoids confrontation. He endured it, quietly redid the work, smoothed over his uncle’s outbursts. Sometimes he’d snap, but they’d always make up. James even liked the job, though I hated the unfairness of it—half the profits went to William, half to him.
After we got married, I realised James shouldn’t drink. He becomes a different person—aggressive, unpredictable. I’d hoped William might help, guide him. James respected him, after all. But instead, things got worse. They started going to the pub together, drinking. James would come home in a state, and if I said anything, he’d insist, *“The man’s the head of the household; the woman should know her place.”* Those words? Definitely planted by his uncle.
Later, during one of their rows, James started parroting nonsense about my mum—claiming she was stirring trouble, turning people against him. They’d only met twice, and both times were perfectly civil. It hit me: William wasn’t just influencing him—he was turning my husband against my family. Against *me*.
We used to make decisions together. Now, James pulls away. Ignores my advice, takes any comment as an attack. Like I’m a threat to his uncle, not his wife. I watched him change, knowing full well who was behind it. But how do you fight someone your husband sees as an authority?
Then something unexpected happened—William got sacked. Another blow-up, and the bosses had enough. James, though? They promoted him. Put him in his uncle’s old role. It crushed William’s pride. He left town, claiming it was “just for a bit,” but I knew the truth—he couldn’t stomach being beneath his nephew.
Now James tells me William’s coming back. Offered a job as his *assistant*. I was horrified. Begged him to talk to the bosses, find someone else. He wouldn’t hear it. Said he couldn’t manage alone, that they’d worked fine together before.
But I know how this ends. William won’t accept being second. He’ll find a way to undermine James, to trip him up. He’s done it before. He’s jealous. Can’t stand not being on top. Always has to be the one in control.
I barely recognise my husband anymore. He’s like a puppet in William’s hands. And if this keeps up? I’m scared 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’s left of us.
