People say you never truly understand someone until you’ve shared a living space with them. I thought I knew my mother-in-law, but everything shifted when I chose to follow her. What I discovered wasn’t just a hidden truth; it was a ticking time bomb that jeopardized the harmony of our household.
I used to believe my life was predictable, filled with its cozy routine. As a freelance graphic designer, I had the freedom to be home most days while still earning a reasonable income.
Xander, my husband, worked long hours at his law firm, so often the house was quiet and peaceful until Cordelia, my mother-in-law moved in three months ago.
After her husband passed away, she called us one night with her voice shaking.
“Olive dear… I can’t do this alone,” she sobbed over the phone. “The house feels so empty and lonely… I just need family around me.”
I looked at Xander; he nodded back at me with concern. We decided to let Cordelia stay; it felt right for someone grieving after losing their partner of 40 years. But from day one, something seemed off.
Cordelia had always been quirky but now her actions were erratic. Every Thursday morning she would leave early and come back late in the evening smelling awful: like something rotten and damp—like decay itself! The odor lingered in our home making me wonder what she was really doing out there.
“Mom where were you today?” Xander asked one Thursday evening as she walked into the kitchen avoiding eye contact. I stood by the stove pretending to stir soup while trying not to wrinkle my nose at that smell.
“Oh just out with some old friends,” she said dismissively waving her hand as if it were nothing important—her smile tight and unconvincing too!
“Every Thursday?” I asked casually “That must be quite a social circle.”
She glanced at me for too long then shrugged it off saying “We meet regularly; it’s good for catching up.”
But that stench—it felt like she’d crawled through garbage! It hung around even after she’d left—a nasty mix of trash and something rotting away! My curiosity gnawed at me like an itch you can’t scratch!
One Wednesday night finally got fed up! “Xander,” I whispered nudging him awake “Are you really buying that story?”
He blinked sleepily asking “What story?”
“Your mom’s ‘out with old friends’ excuse,” replied annoyedly “Every Thursday? And that smell… it’s not normal.”
He sighed saying maybe she’s grieving differently than we think Olive people cope in various ways…
My jaw tightened “And what way is dumpster diving?”
He chuckled softly half-asleep “Let it go love probably nothing.”
But this didn’t feel like nothing—it felt secretive & mysterious—I needed answers!
The next Thursday came & called in sick deciding I’d follow Cordelia instead! Peeking through blinds like an amateur detective waiting till she left dressed warmly clutching her handbag tightly…
Keeping distance behind as walked down street turning left then another left into an alleyway unknown before… Heart racing fast as tailed behind!
She stopped looking around checking for someone or something…
“Where are you going Cordelia?” whispered more curious than ever before!
Expecting harmless things maybe knitting club or bingo night somewhere silly—but inside found none of those things…
Cordelia didn’t meet friends instead slipped into shady part town entering rundown building ready collapse any moment…
Hesitating outside walls covered graffiti windows boarded up took deep breath followed inside thick smoke clung skin murmurs laughter filled room low hum all around…
Then saw it: hidden illegal casino tucked back reeking stale smoke desperation sour scent filling air flashing lights poker chips clinking everywhere…
And there right smack middle was mother-in-law—not hanging out but gambling every penny could find eyes glued cards trembling hands betting each time placed bet…
Staying shadows barely breathing watching play hand after hand looking different haggard almost burdened weight decisions made lips moving couldn’t hear over noise surrounding us all…
Saw lose money win little then lose again seemed possessed fingers shaking reaching chips face lined mixture desperation obsession gripping tightly onto hope lost somewhere along way…
Wanted pull out drag home couldn’t move frozen spot needed see how far would go—didn’t leave till late evening exhausted look on face glazed eyes shoulders slumped carrying losses heavy weight upon them…
Waited till turned corner followed keeping distance walking back feeling anger pity twisting stomach what gotten herself into? Why hadn’t told us?
Next morning couldn’t hold anymore breakfast set coffee cup down hard “Cordelia where were yesterday?” voice sharper intended
Barely looked cereal bowl replying “With friends told you.”
“Stop lying Cordelia,” snapped angrily “I followed know exactly where went!”
Her spoon clattered bowl pale face shocked realization hit hard between us confused Xander asking what’s happening?
“She wasn’t with friends Xander!” fixed gaze on mother-in-law revealing truth about illegal casino gambling looks been doing while hiding from us all along…
Cordelia crumpled breaking down sobbing sorry lost everything nowhere else go begged let stay ashamed didn’t know tell anyone else either…
Xander’s face turned red angry disbelief showing using family trust given him hurt deeply knowing lies spun throughout time spent together under roof ours…
