When Mo’s husband and mother-in-law come to her housewarming party to celebrate the move, they expect something that can’t be done. To give it to Mo’s sister-in-law. They didn’t know, though, that Mo’s parents had plans. Then there is a terrible breakdown of love, power, and loyalty, which ends with a judgment that no one saw coming.

People say that the first house you buy together is where you build your future. Alex and I thought it would be just that—a nice, two-bedroom apartment on the third floor with morning sun streaming into the kitchen.

We bought it three months after getting married, and while we both helped pay the mortgage, the truth is that my parents made it possible for us to live here.

As a wedding gift, my parents, Debbie and Mason, gave us most of the down payment.

My dad had told me, “Darling girl, don’t ask, don’t refuse; just take it.”

That’s why there were no questions. There was only love and help. They’ve always been with me that way, giving me their quiet strength and unfailing love.

And maybe it’s because I knew this house was built on love, not duty or privilege. Then I began to notice that Barbara’s voice changed every time she came over.

I saw how she looked at the apartment at the wedding shower—not like a guest but like someone who was taking inventory. The look in her eye wasn’t one of respect. The math was done! My dad then told me that he had rented the flat for the weekend of my bridal shower. I had no idea he was going to buy it.

She told Mo, “I’m sure your mom will give you this place.” “They’d do anything for their princess, right?”

She was right. It wasn’t really her business, though. When we were all moved in, I told Alex I wanted to have a party to celebrate.

He asked her, “Why do you want so many people in our house, Mo?”

“Because I want to show off our house!” I want to be a good hostess, and besides, I’d rather have everyone here at once than have them come over on the weekends.

Even though it took a while, Alex finally agreed. I cooked nonstop for two days. I made a cake that leaning slightly to the right but still tasted like heaven, salads with toasted pecans and goat cheese, and roast chicken glazed in honey and thyme.

Everyone should know that I built something real. In that I was doing well.

I spent an hour getting ready the night before the party. I didn’t know what I had to prove, but I felt like I had to be…perfect.

Katie, my sister-in-law, came without her kids. They went to a birthday party with a friend, she said.

She told him, “It’s okay, Mo.” “The kids were so excited about the party that I’m sure they forgot how to behave.”

To be honest, I was glad. Katie’s three kids were the kind that would leave behind broken crackers, like a breadcrumb trail to chaos.

The party had a good time. There was wine, laughing, clink of plates, and Alex blasting music from an Indie band he couldn’t get enough of. As my aunt and I talked about backsplash tiles, I heard a glass being hit.

Barbara sat at the head of the table and smiled like a kind queen.

She pointed at Alex and me and said, “I look at these two.” “I’m so proud of you!” They look so good together. Putting money away for a house together must be so easy. There are no pets for you to worry about. Not like Katie, who has to take care of three kids by herself.

The words were… nice? But her tone was way too bitter.

It made my stomach hurt.

“Katie will never be able to afford her own place, will you?” Katie shook her head and sighed big time, like she was trying out for daytime TV, when Barbara cooed at her.

She then smiled bigger at my parents and turned to look at them.

“You need to give this apartment to Katie.” “She needs it more than you do,” she told him.

At first, I thought I heard her wrong. She must have meant something else, right? But then Alex added, as if they’d been talking about it over breakfast and mimosas.

He told her, “That’s right, Mom.” “Mo, give it some thought.” We can spend some time with my mom. Are you sure your parents helped us once? They can help us once more. Mom can take a break from the kids for a while… Katie can have some too. Katie can have her own room.

I still had a little laugh inside, like this was some kind of weird joke, and looked at my husband.

“Are you kidding me?”

Alex didn’t even move.

“Hey, honey. We’ll start over when the time is right. They can help you again, and it won’t take long. This is a great place for kids. Katie needs it too. Also, you made this room look nice. I had nothing to do with it. I also want to be able to make choices.

I looked over at Katie, who was already looking around as if she were redecorating her mind.

“It’s only fair,” Barbara said with pride. She looked at Alex as if he were holding up the sun.

Mom’s hand stopped moving on her wine glass. With a sharp clink, my dad put his fork down. When I opened my mouth, nothing came out. It felt like my brain wouldn’t accept how lightly they were trying to gut me. I had no idea what was going on…

Then Debbie, my sweet old mom, folded her napkin and set it on the table in a way that made the whole room quiet.

She said, “I didn’t raise my daughter to be a fool for other people.” Even though her voice was soft, every word hit hard.

“Excuse me?” Barbara lit up.

“Do you want her to come home?” My mom went on. “You want Mo’s house?” Then go to court with her. I promise you’ll lose, though.

Everyone went cold.

She looked at me and said, “Sweetheart, give them the papers.”

I smiled and walked over to the cabinet box that I had marked “just in case.” I took the package out, walked back, and gave it to Alex.

He made a face and opened it. Katie got closer. Barb strained her neck. His face changed from being confused to being darker. Scared.

“What the hell is this?” Alex mumbled as he looked through the pages.

I took my time and sat down, putting my hands in my lap.

They made sure the property is only in my name because they paid most of the down payment. This room is not yours at all.

Barbara’s face broke like glass when she was pushed.

“That… that can’t be true.”

My mom drank some of her wine.

“Yes, it is,” she said. Barbara, we were not born yesterday. Before the wedding, we saw how you worked. So we made sure our daughter was safe.

My dad told me, “Maureen was never going to be abused by you.” “Mo is our kid.” We want to take care of her and keep her safe. Barb, not your daughter and grandkids.

“So what?” Are you really going to kick me out?” Alex’s ears turned bright red.

“No, Alex…” I cocked my head.

He looked through the papers like he could magically make a hole appear.

I told him, “You signed a prenup.” “Remember?” Any property I got with the help of my family is mine.

She raised her voice a notch.

“But you’re married!” “That must be worth something!”

I once laughed in a low, mean way.

I agreed and said, “It should.” “But love should too.” So don’t try to surprise your wife at her own party by giving her home to your sister.

Alex looked at the pages and kept shaking his head.

“This has to have something in it that…”

My dad finally spoke up and said, “There isn’t.” He had a steady, low voice that made grown men sit up straighter. “Know that our lawyer wrote everything before you think about going to court to challenge it.”

Katie finally spoke, but her voice was soft.

“But where do we need to go?”

I gave her a look and then shrugged.

“Will you stay with your mom?” Alex will also be going with you.

Things got slammed on the table by Alex.

“You… you knew this the whole time?”

I put my glass down and leaned in just a bit.

“No, Alex.” I had no idea you were this stupid. I thought your mom might try to pull something, though. You could also call it a sixth sense. I made sure I was safe because of this. Now it’s you who doesn’t have a place to live.

Barbara looked like she had glass in her mouth. She opened her mouth and then shut it again. Katie, who was crying, looked at her.

“Mom?” “What should we do?” She spoke softly. “I don’t want…” I believed this would finally be mine. “I told the kids…”

Barbara clenched her teeth.

“Let’s go now.”

Alex didn’t move at all. He looked at the papers so intently that he thought they might catch fire and burn away his mistake.

As he looked at Alex, my dad took a slow sip of his drink and tried to figure out how disappointed he was.

He said, as cool as ever, “A man who lets his mother run his marriage isn’t a man at all.” “What about a man who tries to rob his wife?” He’s not only stupid, but also afraid. Alex, do what you want with that.

That was it.

Alex slowly blinked. The papers were on the table when he got up. Something was in his mouth—maybe to say sorry or to protect himself—but nothing came out.

Dad didn’t even look up.

He said it again, but this time it was firmer. “Alex, get out.”

Barbara came up with her bag. Katie followed, but kept quiet. Alex was far behind, and his shoulders looked like they were giving out from the weight. As they walked out, the door shut behind them with such force that it broke the quiet.

My mom sat back and let out a breath.

She reached for her wine again and said, “Well, Mo.” “That went well…” “Let’s eat some cake now.”

That night, when Barbara walked in, I smiled for the first time since then when I looked at my parents. They had never let me down.

After a week, he asked to meet up.

There is a strong smell of cinnamon and burned espresso in the coffee shop. I chose the spot out of habit, not because I liked it. Between my job and my apartment, it was in the middle. Level ground.

Alex was already inside when I got there. He was sitting by the window with a coffee that he hadn’t touched.

I slid into the seat next to him and said, “Hey.”

“Thanks for coming, Mo,” he said with red eyes.

Before I could answer, a waiter came over.

“May I please have the sourdough breakfast sandwich with extra avocado?” I told you. “Please have an oat milk latte as well.”

He said “yes” and left.

He slowly let out a breath, “I don’t want a divorce, Mo.”

I opened my eyes. Right to the point. Good job.

“I did something wrong.” A bad, stupid mistake. We can fix it, though. We can see a therapist… we can.”

“Alex, you tried to give away my house,” I said in a soft voice. “At a party.” In front of our family.

He leaned forward in a desperate way.

“That wasn’t how it was, Mo.” “Come on.”

“Yes, it was just like that.”

He rubbed his hands together to make them feel warmer.

“I only wanted to help Katie.” It’s hard for her…

“Katie’s husband should have stayed with her instead of leaving.” Not me. Not you. Not my family. I didn’t expect you to take care of that.

“Mo, she’s my sister.” What did you think I would do? For real?”

“And Alex, I was your wife.”

He jerked. I wanted it to land exactly where I wanted it to.

I looked through the window.

“Alex, you made me look bad,” I told him. “You lied to me.” The worst part? I didn’t even ask. You thought I’d say yes, because that’s what you always do with your mom. It wasn’t even brought up.

He said, “I freaked out.” “I thought it wouldn’t go that far.”

“But it did.”

He reached out to touch the table. I didn’t grab his hand.

“Mo, I still love you.”

My food showed up. I slowly took the sandwich out of the package without looking at him.

I told them, “I believe you.” “But love can’t fix rudeness.” I will always remember how you looked at me when you chose to side with them. It felt like I was just a supply.

He said in a whisper, “Please.”

“Goodbye, Alex.” “Don’t worry, I’ll pay.”

I got my coffee. Then I took a sip while Alex was leaving the booth. It was hot, sour, and good for you.