The next morning, I decided I needed answers. Leaving the twins with my mom, I drove back to the house. The lawn was cleared, but when I peered through a window, I saw Derek’s mother, Lorraine, sipping tea at the dining table.

I banged on the door. She answered slowly, smirking as she opened it just a crack.

“What are you doing here?” she asked coolly.

“Where’s Derek?” I demanded. “Why did he—”

“He’s at the hospital in my city,” she interrupted. “Taking care of his poor, sick mother.”

I glared at her, incredulous. “Sick? You’re standing here perfectly fine!”

She shrugged with a smug smile. “Maybe I recovered.”

“You lied,” I accused. “You faked being sick, didn’t you?”

Her smirk widened. “And?”

“Why? Why would you do this?”

“Because I told Derek from the start our family needs a boy to carry on the name. But you? You gave us two useless girls,” she said, her voice dripping with disdain.

I was stunned into silence as she went on.

“I made sure Derek wouldn’t contact you by taking his phone. I even bribed a nurse to keep him at the hospital. You were supposed to take the hint and leave, but here you are.”

Her casual cruelty was unbearable. Without another word, I stormed out and drove to the hospital.

When I found Derek, he looked relieved but confused. “Jenna! I’ve been trying to reach you. My phone’s gone, and I didn’t know your number by heart!”

“Your mother took your phone,” I said. “She faked her illness, locked me out of the house, and left that note.”

As I explained, his expression turned from confusion to rage. Without hesitation, he grabbed his keys, and we drove home.

When we arrived, Lorraine’s smugness vanished. Derek confronted her, his voice cold. “Mom, what did you do?”

“I was protecting you!” she cried.

“From my wife and daughters?” he snapped. “Get out. Now.”

For the first time, Lorraine was speechless. She packed her things and left.

Derek apologized profusely, taking steps to rebuild our life. Months later, as I held Ella and Sophie close, I realized Lorraine’s cruelty had only strengthened our family.

Some mothers-in-law can be difficult, but Lorraine took it to another level. Still, in the end, she couldn’t break us.