When I landed a new job in IT, I was proud—until my mother-in-law, Linda, mocked it with a smirk: “So basically, you fix printers now?” I brushed it off, but her condescension never stopped. At a family dinner, she joked that I should pay for everyone’s meal since I was now “Miss IT.” I calmly handed the bill back and said, “If your career’s more successful than mine, feel free to treat us.” Then I paid—tip included.
She tried again, asking if I had any salary left after that stunt. I smiled and replied, “That wasn’t even from my salary. Just a little bonus.” Her face fell, and she went silent. Since then, she’s stopped coming to family events. My husband says I owe her an apology, but I don’t see it that way. I’ve endured her coldness for years. That night, I simply stood up for myself.
What hurts most is my husband’s silence. He still attends their gatherings like nothing’s changed. He hasn’t defended me or asked his mother to talk things through. Instead, he blames me for the fallout. I feel abandoned—not just by Linda, but by the person who should’ve had my back.
I’ve found peace in the distance. No more snide remarks, no more tension. But I’m left wondering: is it wrong to feel hurt when your partner chooses silence over support? I didn’t start the fire—but I won’t apologize for refusing to burn quietly.
