When I fulfilled my dream and bought a house for my husband and me, he declared on the very first day: «My mom, sister, and kids will live with us…
«We should support each other in tough times. And now we really are in a tough period. We sold the house, invested the money in a promising business.»
«I know,» I interrupted her. «Ethan told me everything. But you should have discussed it with me before making such serious decisions.»
«Oh come on,» Rebecca interjected. «There’s plenty of space in the house for everyone. Mom will cook, I’ll help with cleaning.
The kids will go to good schools. Everyone wins.» «No,» I shook my head.
«Everyone wins except me. I bought this house for Ethan and me to start a new life. A life I’ve dreamed of for years.
And I won’t let anyone destroy that dream.» «You’re too selfish,» Patricia pursed her lips. «Always thinking only of yourself.
What about family values? What about respect for elders?» «Respect should be mutual,» I replied calmly. «You’ve never respected me, my boundaries, my wishes. And now you’ve demonstrated it again by deciding to move into my house without my consent.» «Our house,» Ethan corrected, stepping forward.
«We’re husband and wife, we have joint property. And I have as much right to decide who lives here as you do.» «This brings us to the most important point,» I took a deep breath.
«This house doesn’t belong to you or me, Ethan. It’s registered in my sister’s name.» Silence fell.
Everyone looked at me in bewilderment. «What?» Ethan exclaimed. «What nonsense?» «No nonsense,» Sophia interjected, laying out documents on the table.
«The house is indeed in my name. Because of Olivia’s credit history issues from her brother, the bank wouldn’t give her a favorable mortgage. I took the loan in my name, and the down payment came from Olivia’s inheritance.»
«That’s illegal!» Patricia indignantly said. «You had no right to hide this from Ethan. He’s your husband, he has a right to know.»
«Nothing illegal,» the notary calmly objected. «A citizen has the right to register property in any person’s name at their choice. Besides, between the sisters, there’s a notarized agreement regulating their relations regarding this property.»
«You deceived me,» Ethan looked at me with hatred. «You’ve been lying to me all this time.» «No, Ethan,» I shook my head.
«I just didn’t tell you all the legal details. I planned to do it later, when we moved in and settled. But you left me no choice by deciding secretly to move your whole family here.»
«And now what?» he clenched his fists. «You’re throwing us out on the street? Mom sold the house, they have nowhere to go.» «That was your decision, not mine,» I said firmly. «You decided to act behind my back, and now you’re reaping the fruits of your actions.»
«So that’s it?» Ethan stepped closer, his voice threatening. «After eight years of marriage, you’re just tossing me out?» One of the guards stepped forward, blocking his path to me. «I’m filing for divorce, Ethan,» I said calmly. «After what you’ve done, I see no future for our marriage.
You betrayed my trust, lied to me, manipulated me. I no longer want to live with a person who doesn’t respect me and my wishes.» «You can’t do this to me.»
He tried to go around the guard, but he stayed in place. «I won’t give you a divorce.» «That’s not in your power,» the notary interjected.
«According to the law, divorce can be granted without one spouse’s consent through the court.» «I’ll still get my share,» Ethan pointed at the house.
«This is jointly acquired property.» «Unfortunately for you, no,» the notary shook his head. «Since the house was purchased using your wife’s personal funds from inheritance and registered to a third party, it’s not jointly acquired property in the classic sense.
In case of litigation, your share in this property would be minimal, if recognized at all.» Patricia turned white with rage. «This is a conspiracy!» she screamed.
«You planned all this in advance to deceive my son.» «No conspiracy,» Sophia replied calmly. «The decision to register the house in my name was made long before your son decided to move you here.
It was a forced decision due to Olivia’s credit history issues.» «I don’t believe you.» Patricia turned to her son.
«Ethan, do something! Are you going to let them humiliate you like this?» Ethan stood with his head down. His shoulders slumped, all feigned confidence gone. For the first time in a long time, I saw the real him—not a self-assured manipulator, but a confused person whose plans had collapsed.
«What do you suggest?» he finally asked, looking at me with a mix of anger and despair. «I suggest we end this civilly,» I replied. «We’ll file for divorce without unnecessary scandals. I’m even willing to provide you with some amount as compensation so you can rent housing for the initial time until you find a more permanent solution.»..
