What My MIL Had in Store for Me After Taking My Son Out Late at Night Left Me Speechless
My horror should have come to an end when I got away from my ex-husband, but it just got worse. I had no idea that my ex-mother-in-law’s fixation would result in a morning I will never forget when she showed up at our new house. I could never forgive what she had done to my kid Tyler.
Already, being a single mother seems like an endless marathon. It’s a lot to manage—care for Tyler, job, and household duties. And when you include an ex-mother-in-law who’s on a mission to complicate your life? At that point, things really begin to get out of hand.
Tyler, my 10-year-old son, and I share a small, comfortable home. Although it’s not elegant, I’m proud that it’s ours. After divorcing Billy, my ex-husband, I was able to purchase it because of some wise investments I had made. I had no idea those would be my escape route.
I lived with Billy for around fifteen years. I had the impression of him at the time that he was a kind man who respected women.
I used to believe that Valerie, his mother, had raised a truly wonderful man. However, our relationship began to shift, and with it, my perspective on everything.
It all began when Billy lost his job in finance and was unable to find employment paying the same amount. His life was completely turned upside down by this change. He started going out all night and gambling with our money. I tried talking some sense into him one day.
“Billy, why don’t you take one of those job offers?” I made a gentle inquiry. “It’s not a lot of money, but it’s better than nothing, right?”
He yelled at me, “I told you I don’t want to settle for less!” “Have I asked for your advice? Get over your unwelcome job advice and find something else to do. Stop pestering me!
That was only a small portion of the issues I faced. But I persisted in giving him the benefit of the doubt in the hopes that he would change. Seeing the man I loved turn into such an unhappy, angry person destroyed my heart.
Then the day arrived when I understood I could no longer live with him, particularly not with Tyler around.
When I returned from work on a Thursday night, Billy wasn’t home, as I recall. I assumed he was at the club or the casino as usual.
“Daddy, where are you?” I tucked Tyler into bed and he asked me.
Though it pained me to lie to him, what could I say?
I lied, unable to look my kid in the eye, saying, “He’s out for some work, honey.”
But Tyler is intelligent.
“At Work? But you mentioned that Daddy isn’t working anymore,” he answered. “I don’t believe he is working.”
While stroking his hair, I said, “We’ll talk about this tomorrow, love.” “Come on, it’s time to go to bed.”
I went from Tyler’s room to mine to get some much-needed sleep. However, I heard muted noises as I got closer.
It was alright that I could hear Billy’s voice. Then, in MY bedroom, I heard a woman’s voice.
It all began when Billy lost his job in finance and was unable to find employment paying the same amount. His life was completely turned upside down by this change. He started going out all night and gambling with our money. I tried talking some sense into him one day.
“Billy, why don’t you take one of those job offers?” I made a gentle inquiry. “It’s not a lot of money, but it’s better than nothing, right?”
He yelled at me, “I told you I don’t want to settle for less!” “Have I asked for your advice? Get over your unwelcome job advice and find something else to do. Stop pestering me!
That was only a small portion of the issues I faced. But I persisted in giving him the benefit of the doubt in the hopes that he would change. Seeing the man I loved turn into such an unhappy, angry person destroyed my heart.
Then the day arrived when I understood I could no longer live with him, particularly not with Tyler around.
When I returned from work on a Thursday night, Billy wasn’t home, as I recall. I assumed he was at the club or the casino as usual.
“Daddy, where are you?” I tucked Tyler into bed and he asked me.
Though it pained me to lie to him, what could I say?
I lied, unable to look my kid in the eye, saying, “He’s out for some work, honey.”
But Tyler is intelligent.
“At Work? But you mentioned that Daddy isn’t working anymore,” he answered. “I don’t believe he is working.”
While stroking his hair, I said, “We’ll talk about this tomorrow, love.” “Come on, it’s time to go to bed.”
I went from Tyler’s room to mine to get some much-needed sleep. However, I heard muted noises as I got closer.
It was alright that I could hear Billy’s voice. Then, in MY bedroom, I heard a woman’s voice.
I won’t describe in detail what I noticed when I pulled open that door. To put it mildly, it was the last straw.
Billy wasn’t merely lying. He showed no regard for my fatherhood or for me. When their spouse and child are present, who brings their mistress home? That’s a dude who doesn’t give a damn.
To cut a long tale short, I mailed Billy the divorce papers the following day after leaving him. He made no attempt to defend his rights to visitation or custody.
We moved out of the house and slept at a friend’s till I got us a new place to live. Billy’s house is just two hours distant, and I felt Tyler and I could live here contentedly. However, that was untrue.
Billy’s mother Valerie was one individual who was adamant about being a part of our life.
It wasn’t until she appeared at our door that I realized she had been following us. It was only after two days in our new home that I heard the dreaded knock.
She was standing there with her exquisitely combed gray hair when I opened the door. Valerie, my ex-MIL, was prepared to ruin our life.
Margaret, my sweetheart! She exclaimed, joyfully, “I’m here to see my grandson,” as though unexpectedly popping up was totally common.
“Valerie, come in,” I said, putting on a false smile. But just keep it brief, please. Dinner was about to be served.
She went by me and entered the living room.
That’s where you’ve been hiding, then,” she said. “It’s charming.”
I tried to shift the conversation, saying, “Tyler’s in his room.” “I’m going to go get him.”
Valerie turned to face me, though, before I could move. I had never seen her expression like that before.
“Margaret, let’s talk about Billy,” she started. “It was wrong of you to leave him in that way.”
I could feel the rage burning in my cheeks.
That’s none of your business, Valerie. I have ended my relationship with Billy.
She persisted, “But I’m worried about Tyler.” A boy requires his dad. By preventing him from seeing his family, you are acting selfishly.
And that was all. I was done.
I then looked in the living room, the bathroom, and underneath his bed. Nothing. He wasn’t present.
My heart was thumping fiercely against my chest.
How far away was he? I pondered. Had he gone foraging during the night? No way would my boy act in such a way.
It dawned on me then that I should examine the security cameras. With trembling hands, I picked up my phone and watched the video from the previous evening. I was astounded by what I witnessed.
The text said, “Your Son will be mine forever in two hours.”
My knees started to go weak, so I grabbed the counter to support myself. What was the meaning conveyed by her? To what destination was she leading him?
As I waited for the cops to arrive, I paced the living room. That was when I ran out of breath. I was unable to concentrate. All I knew was that before it was too late, I had to get my son back.
Thank God, they started looking for her phone right away and took it seriously.
The police got a lead just when I thought things couldn’t get much worse. Valerie’s vehicle was observed close to the local cemetery. Our residence was around 20 kilometers away.
How in the world is Valerie there with Tyler? I pondered.
The police took me to the cemetery shortly after that. Upon there, I noticed Valerie and Tyler next to a tombstone, with Tyler appearing to be dozing off. She was speaking softly to him.
“Tyler!” I let out a scream and leaped off the car before it came to a complete halt.
Valerie’s expression abruptly changed to one of anger.
“No!” she yelled. “He must be with his father!”
I had the cops immediately behind me. Valerie was stopped before she could act, and I relieved myself by cradling Tyler in my arms.
Valerie continued to murmur as they took her away about how Billy “wanted his son back.”” She obviously had long since lost contact with reality.
I made a self-promise that day to never again allow Valerie to be close to my son. Even though she’s in detention right now, I can’t shake the recollection of that morning.
I’m not sure if I’ll ever feel completely secure again.
