Chapter 3: The Money They Thought My Mother Had to Give Them
I didn't sleep that night.
At two in the morning, I was sitting alone in my home office, staring at the note my mother had given me.
The house was silent.
But my mind kept replaying one sentence.
You owe this family.
I couldn't understand how anyone could look at a woman who had spent her entire life sacrificing for others and decide she owed them something.
At seven, I heard footsteps in the hallway.
Mom appeared in the doorway.
She was wearing her old blue sweater.
"You're awake.""
I closed the laptop.
"Come sit down.""
She entered slowly.
I pulled out a chair.
"Tell me about the money.""
She looked uncomfortable.
"Marcus, it isn't much.""
"How much?""
She folded her hands.
"About two hundred and eighty thousand dollars.""
I stared at her.
For a moment, I genuinely thought I had misunderstood.
"Two hundred and eighty thousand?""
She nodded.
"Your father left me some money. I invested part of it. Then I saved whatever I could from my pension.""
I leaned back.
"Why didn't you tell me?""
"Because I didn't want you to think I was rich.""
I frowned.
"Mom, why would I think that?""
She gave a sad smile.
"You know how people change when money becomes involved.""
I looked at the note again.
"How did Nia find out?""
Mom took a breath.
"She helped me organize some paperwork last month.""
"Why?""
"She said she wanted to make sure my retirement documents were in order.""
I felt a knot form in my stomach.
"Did you give her access to your bank account?""
"No. But I showed her some statements.""
"Did she ask you for money?""
Mom nodded.
"She said Diane needed help with her medical expenses.""
"How much?""
"At first, ten thousand dollars.""
I closed my eyes.
"Did you give it to her?""
"No.""
"Why?""
Mom looked embarrassed.
"Because I didn't understand why Diane needed that much money.""
I waited.
She continued.
"Then Nia said it would be a good investment if I helped her mother purchase a small house.""
I stared at her.
"Purchase a house?""
"She said Diane would eventually pay me back.""
I stood and walked toward the window.
Outside, the gardener was trimming the hedges.
Everything looked normal.
That was the strangest part.
My family was falling apart, and the world outside continued as if nothing had happened.
"Mom, did you sign anything?""
"No.""
"Did you transfer any money?""
She shook her head.
"Not a dollar.""
I exhaled.
"Good.""
Then she said something that made me turn around.
"But Nia told me something else.""
"What?""
"She said you already knew.""
I frowned.
"About what?""
"She said you wanted me to contribute to the household expenses. She told me you were embarrassed to ask me directly.""
My blood ran cold.
"Mom, I never said that.""
"I know.""
"Why would she tell you that?""
Mom looked down.
"She said you were struggling financially.""
I stared at her.
I owned a successful construction consulting company.
My income was more than enough to support our household.
There had been no financial crisis.
No unexpected debts.
No reason to ask my mother for money.
Yet someone had convinced her that her own son needed her savings.
And that someone was my wife.
I walked to the door.
"Where is Nia?""
"Please don't shout.""
"I'm not going to shout.""
But I knew my voice sounded different.
I found Nia in the breakfast room.
She was eating toast while scrolling through her phone.
Diane sat across from her.
A laptop was open between them.
I placed the handwritten note on the table.
"What's this?""
Nia glanced at it.
Her face tightened.
"Why are you going through Mom's things?""
"Why are you asking my mother for money?""
Diane stopped chewing.
Nia put down her phone.
"I wasn't asking her for money.""
I tapped the note.
"Then explain this.""
She glanced at her mother.
Diane immediately spoke.
"That was a private family discussion.""
I looked at her.
"You're not part of my mother's family?""
Diane sighed.
"Marcus, you need to understand something. Evelyn has considerable savings. My daughter and I have been struggling.""
I stared at her.
"Struggling?""
Diane nodded.
"My retirement income isn't enough.""
I looked at the designer handbag beside her chair.
Then at the expensive watch on her wrist.
"How unfortunate.""
Her face reddened.
Nia stood.
"Stop being sarcastic.""
"Stop asking my mother for money.""
"She offered to help!""
Mom appeared in the doorway behind me.
"No, I didn't.""
Nia turned.
"Mom—"
Evelyn stepped forward.
"You told me Marcus needed the money. You said he was embarrassed.""
Nia's mouth opened.
Then closed.
Diane stood.
"Well, even if she didn't offer, there's nothing wrong with family helping family.""
Mom looked directly at her.
"I have spent my entire life helping my family. I never asked anyone to pay me back.""
Diane scoffed.
"Nobody is questioning your sacrifices.""
"You questioned whether I deserved a bedroom.""
The room fell silent.
Mom's voice trembled, but she continued.
"I don't need your money. I don't need your room. I don't even need to stay here if I'm making everyone uncomfortable.""
She looked at me.
"But I will not be treated like a burden.""
My chest tightened.
I walked toward her.
"You're not.""
Nia rubbed her forehead.
"This is getting ridiculous.""
I turned to her.
"Did you tell my mother I was having financial problems?""
She hesitated.
"I was trying to explain why she should contribute.""
"Why?""
"Because she's living here!""
"At my invitation!""
"Exactly! You made that decision without considering how it would affect us.""
I stared at her.
"How did my mother living here affect you?""
Nia pointed toward the hallway.
"She takes up space. She has routines. She expects us to include her in everything.""
I looked at Mom.
She was standing quietly, her hands clasped in front of her.
"Give me one example.""
Nia looked annoyed.
"She uses the kitchen every morning.""
I blinked.
"That's your example?""
"She gets up early and makes breakfast.""
"She makes breakfast for everyone.""
"Nobody asked her to!""
Mom lowered her head.
I turned toward Nia.
"Anything else?""
Nia's voice rose.
"She leaves her reading glasses in the living room. She watches television too loudly. She keeps old photographs everywhere. And she makes me feel like I'm living in somebody else's house.""
I stared at my wife.
Then I said something I had never imagined saying.
"Maybe you should ask yourself why.""
Nia looked at me.
"What does that mean?""
"It means you have spent six months watching my mother make herself smaller so you could feel comfortable.""
Her eyes widened.
"That's not fair.""
"She stopped inviting her friends over because she thought she was bothering you. She stopped using the kitchen after you complained about her cooking. She even stopped sitting in the living room when your mother arrived.""
Diane rolled her eyes.
"She could have communicated.""
Mom finally spoke.
"I did.""
Everyone turned toward her.
She looked at Nia.
"Three weeks ago, I asked if there was something I had done to upset you.""
Nia looked away.
Mom continued.
"You told me I was too sensitive.""
I felt something crack inside me.
I had been so busy working that I hadn't noticed how my mother had been disappearing inside my own house.
I turned toward Nia.
"Pack Diane's belongings.""
She stared at me.
"What?""
"She needs to leave.""
Diane laughed.
"You can't be serious.""
"I am.""
Nia stepped between us.
"Marcus, she's my mother!""
"And Evelyn is mine.""
"You can't compare them!""
"Why not?""
Nia's expression hardened.
"Because my mother has nobody else.""
I looked at her.
"Neither did mine.""
Diane grabbed her handbag.
"This is unbelievable. Nia, call Michael.""
I stopped.
"Michael?""
Nia froze.
Diane looked at her daughter.
"Don't pretend you don't know what I'm talking about.""
I stared at both women.
"Who's Michael?""
Nia quickly picked up her phone.
"Nobody.""
Diane shook her head.
"He's the attorney.""
My stomach tightened.
"Your attorney?""
Diane didn't answer.
Nia stepped forward.
"Mom, please.""
I looked at my wife.
"Why do you have an attorney?""
She swallowed.
"Marcus, I can explain.""
"Then explain.""
She glanced toward the stairs.
Then back at me.
"We were only trying to protect my mother's future.""
"From what?""
Her lips parted.
But before she could answer, my phone vibrated.
A message from Daniel Foster appeared on the screen.
*Marcus, I reviewed the property documents you sent. Call me immediately. There's something you need to know about a document filed against your property last week.*
I read the message twice.
May you like
Then I looked at Nia.
She had gone completely pale.
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