I believed my mother-in-law was being pushy. But when she took the show during our gender reveal, I understood she would do everything to be at the center of our life. I want space. She refused to provide it. Then I learned her deepest secret, and regret hit her harder than she expected.

Sometimes I felt as if my life was a farce, with the main character repeatedly humiliated. And the reason for this was my mother-in-law, Angela.

When Carl initially introduced us, I assumed she was a great, nice woman.

She smiled pleasantly, inquired about my hobbies, and even handed me a modest welcome gift—a scarf she had knit herself. She touched me deeply. But oh, how mistaken I was.

At first, I assumed she was merely clumsy, always trying to assist but making things worse.

Then, gradually, I grasped the reality. Angela was not only making mistakes; she was also lying that things were accidents when they obviously were not.

She approached my father just before the ceremony at our wedding and asked him to assist her with a fictitious emergency.

And while he was preoccupied, she took his place, linking her arm around mine and proudly escorting me down the aisle as if it were her moment. I was too surprised to react.

Then we had our honeymoon. Carl and I had carefully chosen a peaceful, romantic resort, distant from home and family. Or so we thought.

On our first morning there, as we sat on the beach sipping coconut beverages and basking in the sun, I recognized a familiar voice.

“Oh, what a coincidence!” Angela grinned as she stood in front of us in a flowery bikini. “I had no idea you’d be here!”

When we purchased our first home, Angela began house shopping. One month later, she “accidentally” moved in next door.

I tried to be understanding. After all, she adored her son. I understood parental love. But this?

It was suffocating. Angela wasn’t simply involved; she was constantly present.

And when Carl and I revealed my pregnancy, things just got worse. She followed me to every doctor’s visit, questioned everything I ate, and even registered us for a prenatal class designed for couples.

I wanted her to hate me. At the very least, she would keep her distance. But what occurred during our gender reveal party? That was the decisive moment.

Carl and I stood before our guests, a black balloon between us, and excitement filled the air.

Carl answered, “On the count of three.”

We popped the balloon. Pink confetti erupted into the air.

For a minute, everything was great. Then Angela dashed toward us, beaming, and held out a champagne glass. “I’m pregnant!” Angela shouted. Her voice rang throughout the room.

Carl and I froze. My heart raced in my chest. “What?!” we both shouted.

“Yes! “I am pregnant!” Angela clasped her hands together. Her face was beaming with delight, as if she had just delivered the finest news in the world.

I blinked. “Why would you do this?” My voice trembled. “Why now?” “Why would you ruin our moment?”

Angela cocked her head. “Ruin? “What do you mean?” She seemed genuinely perplexed, as if she had no idea what was wrong.

“Mom,” Carl stated. His jaw stiffened. “Today was meant to be Julia’s and my special day. “You simply made it about yourself.”

Angela gave a gasp. “I just wanted to share my happy news!” She put a hand over her heart.

“Angela, stop,” Jesse urged. His voice was forceful. “This is their celebration.”

Carl turned to his father. “Why didn’t you stop her?” His tone was harsh.

Jesse raised his hands. “I’ve tried! “I actually did!” He had a crimson face. “She wouldn’t listen!”

Angela’s gaze flickered between us. “What type of family is this? “I thought you’d be happy for me!” Her voice crackled.

I breathed sharply. “We would’ve been. If you had notified us tomorrow, we would have been present. Not here. Not now. Not at the same moment we learned our baby’s gender.”

Angela’s face twisted with rage. “You’re horrible!” she said. She turned and stormed out of the room.

Carl kept his gaze fixed on her. Then his eyes expanded. “Was that champagne she was holding?”

My stomach turned. “Oh, my god. I didn’t even consider it. “Why is she drinking while pregnant?”

That day, Angela refused to return. She said we had destroyed her particular time. We tried explaining, but she didn’t listen.

I expected Angela to settle down after this. I hoped she would recognize how far she had gotten and take a step back.

I wouldn’t have to see her as much, which honestly sounded like a dream. She had already wrecked one of the most memorable days of my life.

Worse, she had twisted things to make Carl and me feel guilty, as if we were the ones who had harmed her.

But Angela did not settle down. Instead, she became even more interested. She began taking me around baby stores, exclaiming over small onesies, rattles, and cot sets.

One of those occasions, in the mall, I went away to use the toilet for what felt like the fiftieth time because my kid was constantly pressing on my bladder.

“I’ll be right back,” I assured Angela. She barely nodded, her gaze fixated on a small pink garment.

Upon my return, she had vanished. I scoured the aisles, hoping to spot her at the checkout or another baby exhibit. But she wasn’t present. An odd feeling came over me.

Then I noticed her through a costume shop’s glass window.

Angela stood at the back, holding something to her tummy. I took a step closer, my heart hammering. The sensation was akin to a fake pregnant belly.

I froze. My mind fought to comprehend what I was witnessing. Why would she need that? Then the reality struck me like a tsunami.

Angela was not pregnant.

This was the only explanation. I clutched my phone and took a couple of pictures. I could have challenged her but didn’t. I had a better strategy.

When I arrived home, I told Carl everything. I showed him the photographs. He grimaced and didn’t say anything.

“Are you sure that’s why she was buying the belly?” he eventually inquired. I crossed my arms. “What else could it be for?”

Carl looked at the photo again. “I’ve seen women buy those to try on maternity clothes.”

I shake my head. “That makes sense if she’s never been pregnant before. But she did. She understands how a belly expands. “She doesn’t need that.”

Carl sighed. “That happened years ago. Maybe she’s forgotten how it feels. Maybe she just wanted to do it again.”

“That doesn’t explain why she was sneaking around a costume shop,” I informed her. Carl hesitated. “It still doesn’t prove anything.”

I met his gaze. “Fine. If you don’t trust me right now, I will prove it to you.”

I spent months preparing Angela’s exposure. I didn’t only want to expose her falsehood; I wanted vengeance. She spoiled our gender reveal party, so I’d ruin hers.

When Angela revealed the date of her party, I noted it on my calendar. Here was my opportunity.

On the day of the party, I sat on the couch, arms crossed and heart thumping. I mustered a pleasant grin, but inwardly I was filled with excitement. The moment of truth was approaching.

I had everything ready—a “gift” for Angela and a professional photographer to document it all.

Guests talked around me. Angela beamed with delight as she held Jesse’s hand. They stood beside the table, their eyes sparkling.

In front of them was a cake. One slice would disclose the “baby’s” gender. Angela and Jesse put their hands on the knife jointly.

“It’s a girl!” Angela exclaimed, her voice full of joy. She clasped her hands together. “Just like Julia’s and Carl’s!”

I rolled my eyes. I faked a tight smile, but my tolerance was running thin. I could hardly restrain myself.

The photographer approached and adjusted the camera strap on her shoulder. “Let’s take a few photos to capture the moment!” she told me.

Angela smiled and drew Jesse closer. They stood behind the cake, hands linked, posing for the camera.

“Now, let’s do one with the belly showing,” the photographer advised.

Angela stiffened. “No!” Her voice was harsh. Too sharp.

Jesse frowned. “Why not?” His perplexity was obvious.

Angela crossed her arms. “I don’t want to.”

I cocked my head. “Why? The photographs will be so adorable. Carl and I snapped photos exactly like that during our celebration.

Angela’s gaze shifted toward me. “Well, we won’t,” she said abruptly.

My heart hammered. “You have something to hide, don’t you?”

Angela raised her chin. “I have nothing to hide.”

That was it. I couldn’t hold back any longer. I took a step closer and gently pulled her shirt before she could stop me. I froze.

There was an actual belly.

My breath became locked in my throat. My entire body became frigid. Angela gasped and lurched backward. “What are you doing?!” Her voice trembled as she burst into tears and hurried from the room.

The visitors remained silent. I could feel every set of eyes on me.

“Julia! “What did you do?!” Carl’s voice broke through the calm.

I turned to face him, my mouth opening, but nothing came out. “I… I thought…” My hands trembled.

Carl shook his head, rage blazing across his eyes. “I told you your suspicions were baseless!”

I swallowed hard. My throat stung. “Don’t yell at me!” My voice cracked. Tears welled up. I wasn’t sure if it was because of his remarks or the weight of my own error.

“I’ll go talk to her,” I murmured, turning to face Angela’s room. My chest felt constricted, but I knew I had to do it.

I quietly knocked on the door. “Angela, this is Julia. Can I come inside?”

There were no responses. I waited a few seconds before trying the handle. The door was not locked.

As I went inside, I noticed Angela sitting on the bed, her shoulders bowed and her hands covering her face. She cried.

A flood of remorse washed over me at that very moment. Regardless of how annoying she had been, I had made a pregnant lady weep. I had not desired this.

I took a cautious step forward. “I would want to apologize for what occurred. “I honestly believed you were lying,” I murmured, my voice softer than I intended.

Angela raised her head, her eyes red and puffy. “Why would I lie about something like this?”

I exhaled. This was due to your constant desire to be near Carl and me. You were constantly on the move. You even spoiled the gender reveal party. I believed this pregnancy was simply another opportunity to get into our life. And… “I noticed you buying a fake belly.”

Angela wiped her tears with the sleeve of her sweatshirt. “I purchased it for Jesse. It was a hoax, only for fun shots. But then I discovered he already had a belly, so I gave it back.”

Shame seared in my chest. “I’m very sorry. I let my fury get the better of me.”

Angela gave a faint, exhausted laugh. “I was so afraid of being the ‘bad mother-in-law’ that I became even worse.”

I nodded and sat next to her. “I believe we all need a little distance. But I am confident we will be alright.”

Angela paused for a second before pulling me into an embrace, which I accepted.