On Monday evening, when I got home from work, I could hear my mother-in-law, Luna Johnson, laughing before I even opened the door. When I stepped inside, I saw that a huge massage chair had taken over half the living room.

My daughter, Joyce, who had just started kindergarten and didn't understand much yet, spotted me first. With excitement, she said, "Mom, Dad bought this really big chair!”

Joyce was just a little kid and found everything fun, but I was feeling frustrated inside.

Eric, on the other hand, was completely oblivious to my feelings. He was thrilled, showing off the massage chair and talking about its features, how high-quality it was, and how it could do everything under the sun. He finally added, "My mom's been having back pain, so I thought a massage chair would be perfect for her.”

I couldn't care less about the chair at that moment. I just asked sharply, "Why didn't you discuss this with me first?”

Eric's excited grin froze. After a pause, he explained, "I saw it at the mall last time. Mom tried it out, liked it, so I bought it.”

I was getting a headache and asked, "Didn't you check the size before buying it? A smaller one could fit in a room, but this one's way too big for the living room and makes it hard to walk around.”

Before Eric could respond, Luna jumped in, "You didn't want to go to the mall that day. Now that the chair's here, what's the point in complaining? I think it's great. Better than you getting some yoga mat or whatever.”

She then plopped down on the chair, fiddling with its settings.

Luna's comment only fueled my frustration. What did she mean I didn't go? Recently, Joyce had been sick, and I'd spent nights taking care of her. When Joyce finally started feeling better, Luna wanted to go to the mall. I stayed home to watch over Joyce and avoid her getting sick again from the air conditioning. Now, Luna was using this against me.

Eric then said, "Amanda, it's already bought. Let's just leave it. Besides, Mom's health issues aren't our fault.”

I felt a chill. This wasn't the first time Eric had thrown this in my face. When we had a daughter instead of a son, Luna's attitude shifted drastically. Later, when Eric was worried about my health, he sent his mom back to her hometown. Who knew something would go wrong?

When Luna went to a relative's for a meal, she wasn't careful on her electric bike and fell into a pit, badly injuring her leg and needing surgery. At that time, Joyce was still little, and Adam was away working. Eric had to rush back to take Luna to the hospital.

When I called Eric to check on Luna, he sounded worn out, "Amanda, if you'd been a bit more patient, I wouldn't have had to send my mom back. Maybe she wouldn't have had the accident.”

That was the first time Eric had complained about me. Even though I didn't think it was my fault, it wasn't the right moment to argue. I offered a quick word of comfort and ended the call.

I didn't realize at the time that this would become a major issue between us.

Today, when Eric brought it up again, I lost it. "You always blame me. What did I do? She went out on her own, fell off her bike, and now you're saying it's my fault?”

At that moment, Luna started crying and said, "Eric, it's all my fault. I shouldn't have let you buy this massage chair, even if I'm in pain.”

Eric looked at his mom with concern and then turned to me, saying, "Amanda, can't you just be reasonable?”

Oh, this is always the case. In every argument between Luna and me, I'm the one who has to give in.

Luna's crying and Eric's comments only fueled her complaints. Watching her mouth move as she spoke, I felt like I couldn't hear anything at all. Ever since Luna moved in, I've been on edge and emotionally unstable.

How did I become this way? I used to be so calm and gentle. Now, I feel like I'm constantly fighting at home.

Joyce seemed to have gotten used to our arguments. She played quietly with her toys, not crying or fussing. I remember the first time we fought, she was so scared she cried.

This house was filled with coldness, selfishness, and numbness—there was no warmth left.

I took a deep breath and said, "Eric, I think we need a divorce.”

I was done with this marriage.

Luna went silent the moment I mentioned divorce.

Eric looked shocked that I wanted to end our marriage over a massage chair. He looked at me with frustration and said, "Amanda, stop making a scene. You're going to get a divorce over something this minor? I bought a chair for my mom. You're not being fair.”

I didn't understand why Eric was fixated on the chair. My anger was about him making such a big purchase without talking to me, shifting his guilt about Luna onto me, and always expecting me to back down.

I didn't want my future to be filled with endless, pointless arguments making me increasingly irritable.

I gave a bitter smile and said, "It doesn't matter. I'm definitely getting a divorce. I'll keep the house, we'll each have a car, and the $100,000 in savings will be mine. I don't want anything else.”

Eric was stunned.

Luna, displeased, said, "With your $1,000 a month salary, how much can you contribute? Everything in this house was bought by my son. How dare you ask for the savings?”

I wasn't backing down. "If we go to court, I'm entitled to half of everything in this house. And if you hadn't been so unwilling to properly care for Joyce, I wouldn't have missed out on a promotion due to taking time off. Just getting the savings is more than fair.”

Luna started crying again and scolded Eric, "You didn't want to pay for the house entirely back then and insisted on adding her name. Now you're seeing the true colors.”

I was shocked. When we bought the house, Eric paid most of the cost, and I contributed less, but both our names were on the deed. My parents were always impressed with Eric, thinking he was responsible. I had no idea Luna had wanted Eric to buy the house entirely in his name.

It turned out Luna had been planning to undermine me from the start, and Eric never mentioned it.

Eric heard his mom's comments and yelled, "Mom, stop talking!”

Seeing this, Luna closed her eyes and clutched her chest, claiming she felt unwell.

Ever since Luna was diagnosed with heart disease and high blood pressure, she had claimed to feel unwell whenever we argue. Eric, unable to confront his frail and dependent mother, had gotten into the habit of siding with her, leaving me feeling increasingly pushed aside.

So, as soon as Eric heard his mom complain about not feeling well, he immediately caved and rushed to get her some medicine. Watching this, I decided I'd had enough. I packed my things, grabbed Joyce, and checked into a hotel. Eric was too wrapped up in taking care of his mom to even notice I was gone.

After spending the night at the hotel, I took Joyce back to my parents' place the next morning and told them I wanted a divorce. My mom urged me to think it over and not make a snap decision out of anger. She and my dad always thought Eric was a decent guy, with the real issue being Luna. I was somewhat swayed by their arguments and decided to have a serious talk with Eric.

To my surprise, while I was out shopping, I ran into Eric's dad, Adam Johnson. He spotted me and looked more lively than I remembered. I wasn't thrilled to see Adam, especially since his affair and divorce from Luna had led to Eric bringing her into our home. Honestly, neither Luna nor Adam was on my list of favorites.

I tried to avoid him, but he came over. It would have been rude not to acknowledge him, given his age.

Adam greeted me, "Amanda, you're back. Did Eric and Joyce come with you?”

I replied, "No, it's just Joyce and me.”

Adam pulled out a bank card and said, "Amanda, this is for Joyce. It's a birthday gift I've been meaning to give her, but I never had the chance.”

I declined, "No, thanks. Joyce doesn't need it.”

Adam seemed to get my reluctance and explained, "I know you might be holding a grudge because of my divorce from Eric's mom. I didn't have a choice. I've been working away from home and sending half my earnings back. When Eric's mom had her surgery, I discovered $40,000 from our savings had been used to support her brother. After decades of marriage, I just couldn't continue and decided to divorce. I wanted a better life for my later years.”

Adam's explanation hit me hard. So Luna's divorce wasn't because of Adam's affair but because he found out she was using their savings for her brother. That's why Luna didn't fight for the assets. I'd thought she was just devastated and indifferent, but the truth was more complicated. Eric had lied to me.

In the end, I didn't take the card. Adam, seeing I was adamant, let it go and asked me to wait while he went to get some toys for Joyce. This time, I accepted the gesture.

I told my parents the real reason behind Adam and Luna's divorce. This time, even my parents supported my decision to divorce. Initially, Luna seemed to be the problem, but knowing Eric was aware of the true reason for his parents' split and chose to deceive me—trying to use my sympathy to accept Luna—was unforgivable.

The issues with Luna really started during my pregnancy.

When Eric and I first got married, things with his mom, Luna, were pretty smooth. Every time I came home, she warmly took my hand and said, "Amanda, just focus on preparing for the baby. Once you have Joyce, I'll take care of her.”

At that time, we had just bought a house and weren't quite ready for a baby, so to avoid worrying her, I said we weren't planning for one just yet. Although Luna was disappointed, she didn't say much and even told others that she respected our decision. Back then, I thought Luna was really great.

I remembered my married friends warning me about tricky mother-in-law relationships, but at that time I cheerfully said, "My mother-in-law is wonderful. Even though we're not ready for a baby now, she's been nothing but supportive.”

But when I actually had the baby, Luna turned out to be completely different from what I had imagined.