Everly had hoped that marriage would usher in a fresh start, yet she found herself ensnared in a longstanding family drama when she discovered her mother-in-law, Lilith’s, intrusive antics. Her personal space violated and her possessions tampered with, Everly found herself in a crafty contest of wills.

From the moment I married Austin, I was aware of the tales of infamous mother-in-law rivalries, but I foolishly thought, “That won’t happen to me.” I envisioned a different relationship with Lilith, Austin’s mother. How mistaken I was.

The warning signs were subtle at first. Lilith was outwardly friendly—offering smiles and embraces. Yet, there was a certain gleam in her eye, like a cautionary signal on a car’s dashboard. She was tolerable, yet there was an unmistakable hint of trouble in her demeanor.

My relationship with her was strained, yet manageable, as I had enforced a policy of minimal contact over the last ten years. Believe me, it was a peaceful arrangement.

Rewind to the earlier days when I was an optimistic bride, determined to ingratiate myself with my new family. I went out of my way to cook, clean, and host social events, all to prove I was a suitable match for her son. However, Lilith seemed to operate on her own agenda, her comments sly and her compliments double-edged. Austin was oblivious to these subtleties, which seemed invisible to a son’s eyes.