Everly loves her mother-in-law and eagerly helps when Victoria loses her job by offering a substantial loan. A few months later, Everly and her husband need the loan back, but Victoria refuses. She claims it’s disrespectful to demand money from family. Frustrated, Everly decides it’s time for Victoria to learn a lesson.

“How much do you need to get by?” I asked as I placed two coffee cups on the living room table.

I settled on my plush couch, watching my mother-in-law’s face crumble as she spoke.

“I’ve given that place my all for twenty years,” she sniffled, wiping her tears with a crumpled tissue. “And they just let me go for some young boy.”

Victoria’s tearful eyes met mine, and my heart ached for her.

I knew losing a job was tough, and seeing my mother-in-law so upset made it even harde

“Just tell us how we can help,” I said, trying to comfort her.

“I really hate to ask, darling, but $2,000 would cover my rent and bills for now,” she said. “I promise I’ll pay you back as soon as I’m back on my feet.”

I reached out and squeezed her hand.

“Consider it done, Victoria,” I said, smiling warmly. “You’re family, and we help each other out. Just focus on finding a job, okay?”

A person holding another’s hand | Source: Pexels

“Yeah, Mom,” my husband added. “Don’t worry about it; we got you.”

That evening, we made the transfer to Victoria’s account.

I knew families were supposed to help each other in tough times.

But little could I have guessed this loan would come back to bite us.

Several dollar bills placed on an envelope | Source: Pexels

Five months later, Harrison and I stood in the kitchen, staring at the broken refrigerator.

We needed a new one immediately; the food inside was already starting to go bad.