My daughter went crazy when I refused to give her the money from selling my farm. My older son took her side and broke my rib. Twenty minutes later, both of them regretted ever being born.

In one of the dreams, they had brought lawyers and police to force me to hand over everything, saying that I was too old to make my own decisions.

The next day, I got dressed with special care.

I put on my favorite pink dress, the one my late husband Edward, had given me for my 50th birthday, and I styled my hair the way I liked best.

I wanted to look dignified and respectable like the strong woman I had been all my life.

I arrived at the restaurant 15 minutes before the agreed time and asked for a table near the window where I could see the street.

Patricia arrived exactly on time, but she didn’t come alone.

Aaron accompanied her and that immediately put me on high alert.

Aaron is a man about 40 years old, thin, with a black mustache, and always dressed in shirts that seemed too elegant for his personality.

Since the day I met him, something about him had seemed false, as if he were acting all the time.

He had that smile that never reached his eyes, and that way of speaking that sounded like he was constantly trying to sell you something.

Hello, mother-in-law,” he said with that false smile, giving me a kiss on the cheek that made me shiver.

“It’s great to see you.

I hope you don’t mind that I came.

Patricia thought it would be good if I also participated in this family conversation.” “Actually, I do mind,” I replied directly, because this was a conversation between my daughter and me.

Patricia quickly intervened.

Mom, Aaron is part of the family.

Besides, he understands a lot about finance and business, and I thought maybe he could help us find a solution that benefits everyone.

I already told you there is nothing to negotiate.

Aaron leaned forward with that expression he put on when he thought he was being very intelligent.

Mother-in-law, allow me to explain something about family finances.

When a family has significant resources, the smartest thing is to distribute those resources strategically to maximize the benefit of all members.

Aaron, with all due respect, my finances are none of your business.

But they are my business, mother-in-law, because I am your daughter’s husband.

What affects Patricia affects me, and what affects us affects our children, your grandchildren.

The mention of my grandchildren especially annoyed me because I knew he was using it as a tool of manipulation.

My grandchildren are perfectly well cared for, and if you have financial problems, that is your responsibility, not mine.

Mother-in-law, Aaron lowered his voice as if he were going to tell me a secret.

Let me be completely honest with you.

We are in a very difficult situation.

If we don’t get money soon, we could lose the house.

Do you really want your grandchildren to be homeless? Patricia nodded dramatically, as if she were acting in a soap opera.

It’s true, Mom.

The children don’t understand why suddenly we can’t buy them the things they need.

Yesterday, my little one asked me why she couldn’t take piano lessons anymore, and I didn’t know what to tell her.

Their attempts at emotional manipulation disgusted me.

Patricia, if your children need something, you can talk to me specifically about those needs, but I’m not going to give you thousands of dollars so you and your husband can continue living beyond your means.” Aaron changed his strategy, adopting a more aggressive tone.

“Mother-in-law, I don’t think you’re understanding the seriousness of the situation.

This is not just a request for help.

We have legal rights to that inheritance.

Legal rights? I laughed bitterly.

What legal rights? I sold my property, a property that was in my name, and the money is in my bank account.

The property was your husband’s inheritance, and according to the law, children have rights over paternal inheritances.

Aaron, you clearly know nothing about laws.

When my husband died, that property legally became mine.

I paid the taxes for 8 years.

I kept the documents up to date.

I took care of everything.

Legally, that farm was completely mine.

Aaron became visibly annoyed when he realized he didn’t have a valid legal argument.

His face flushed and he began to nervously tap his fingers on the table.

Patricia, for her part, had adopted that victim expression she had perfected since adolescence.

Mom.

Patricia said in a broken voice as if she were about to cry.

I can’t believe you are so cruel to your own family.

Are you really going to let your grandchildren suffer because of your selfishness? I’m not cruel, Patricia.

I am a woman who finally learned to value herself after years of being ignored by her own children.

Aaron intervened with a smile that gave me chills.

Mother-in-law, maybe we should approach this from another perspective.

A woman your age living alone with so much money, doesn’t that seem dangerous to you? There are many criminals who specialize in robbing older people who have considerable savings.

His words sounded like a barely disguised threat.

Are you threatening me, Aaron? Of course not, mother-in-law.

I’m just worried about your safety.

It would be terrible if something bad happened to you, especially now that you have so much cash.

The waiter approached to take our order, but I had completely lost my appetite.

The conversation had taken a turn that terrified me, and I realized that my own relatives were capable of intimidating me in ways I had never imagined.

“I’m not going to order anything,” I told the waiter.

“I’m leaving right now.” Mom, please don’t go.

Patricia begged, grabbing my arm as I stood up.

We haven’t finished talking yet.

Yes, we have finished, I replied, pulling my arm free from her grip.

And let it be very clear, I am not going to give you one dime of my money, no matter how much you threaten or manipulate me.