You would imagine that one of the happiest moments of your life would be welcoming your newborn twins home.
That’s how it started for me, but it soon turned into a nightmare!
After recuperating after a challenging delivery for three days, I was eventually released from the hospital and prepared to go home with my beautiful twin daughters, Ella and Sophie.
But everything changed at the last minute when I got a frantic phone call.
With a clipped voice, my spouse remarked, “Hey, baby.” “I’m so sorry, but I’m unable to come get you guys as scheduled.”
“It’s my mother,” he cut in. She’s not feeling well. intense aches in the chest. I have to come get her and take her to the nearby hospital.
I was so angry and disappointed that I tightened my teeth and resisted the need to yell, but instead I said, “All right. I’ll simply hail a cab.
Only for illustrative reasons.
My heart sank when the call died. I wanted to think Derek was a mama’s boy who was overwhelmed rather than cold. Still, the disappointment was painful. Unexpectedly ill was the same mother-in-law (MIL) who demanded a different set of keys to our house so she could help me with the babies.
I froze when we pulled into the driveway. I threw my diaper bags, suitcases, and even the crib mattress at the door and over the front lawn!
The key was unresponsive. Perplexed, I made another attempt. Nothing. Then I saw it—a piece of folded paper fastened to a piece of luggage.
Get your little moochers out of here! I am fully informed. Derek.
Only for illustrative reasons.
I wanted to know the answer, so I immediately gave him a call. Go directly to voicemail. Once more. voicemail. When Sophie’s sobs joined Ella’s, panic broke out.
“Mom,” I muttered. I trembled when I dialed her number.
“Jenna?” On the initial ring, Mom answered. “What’s the matter? Are the twins doing well?
“Derek… He replaced the locks. He tossed my belongings outside. He left this terrible note, Mom.
It seemed like hours before she showed up. When Mom saw the mess, she scowled and became angry.
“This isn’t rational! Derek loves you and the girls, so he wouldn’t do this!
“I’m so sorry, my love,” she replied, giving me a tight hug. “Alright, let’s head over to my place until we can reach your husband.”
Only for illustrative reasons.
I became aware that I needed answers the following morning.
I returned to the house in her car. The yard was deserted, and my belongings were gone. I walked to the back and looked out the windows, then stopped.
Derek’s mother, Lorraine, was drinking tea at the dining table! She looked up in surprise when I banged on the door, nearly spilling her tea before she saw me and grinned.
“Where is Derek?” I lost my temper. “What made him—”
She responded with ease, “He’s at the hospital in my city.” “Caring for his ailing mother.”
Did you not tell him the truth? You pretended to be ill!
Her smugness grew as she crossed her arms.
Only for illustrative reasons.
“I informed Derek right away that a male is needed to continue the family name. However, you? We have two girls that you gave us. After spending so many years with her son, she finally told the truth when she said, “Useless.”
I was out of breath. Because she didn’t like my girls, this woman had planned everything, lied to her son, deceived him into taking her to the hospital on false pretenses before running away, locked me out of my house, and stolen his phone!
I was ill. “You’re insane!”
Although I was aware of my MIL’s cruelty, I didn’t believe she was wicked! Derek deserved someone richer and more attractive than me, therefore she never approved of my connection with her son or our marriage.
My husband was pacing in the waiting area with worried eyes when I got to the hospital.
I said, “Your mother took your phone.” “She locked me out of the house by pretending to be ill!”
“Hold on. What? Why would she?
I responded sourly, “Because our daughters aren’t boys.”
He took his keys and marched out without a word, me following closely behind. Lorraine was precisely where I had left her, uninterested, when we got home.
“Derek, I just wanted to—”
“You’ve accomplished enough,” he yelled.
Only for illustrative reasons.
“Drek, sweetheart… All I wanted was to protect you. My MIL said, “This isn’t how this was supposed to go.”
“Preserve me from my spouse and kids? I wanted boys, but who told you that? What gives you the impression that my girls are unworthy of me based just on their gender? If you want boys, I advise you to go produce them yourself. That’s your problem, not mine.
“My wife is Jenna! My girls are those! You have no place in our life if you are incapable of showing them respect!
For once Lorraine could not speak. She slammed doors behind her as she rushed upstairs to pack. Derek turned to face me, regret shining in his eyes.
Only for illustrative reasons.
Although it was difficult, we spent months rebuilding our lives.
