Back From Abroad, Sister-in-Law Drove Me Away – Fresh back from my studies abroad, I opened the door to find a strange woman standing inside. She was heavily pregnant. Before I could speak, she eyed me with suspicion, then yelled into the house, “Logan! Who’s this little tart looking for you?” Logan? My uncle? Uncle Logan came running out. He saw me and hurried over. “Oh! This is my brother’s daughter, Stephanie…” He turned to me. “Stephanie, this is your Aunt Clara!” I forced a polite smile. “Uncle, Auntie… nice to meet you.” Only then did Clara lower her guard, stepping aside to let me in. Uncle quickly pulled me into the spare bedroom, closed the door, and began explaining in a hushed voice. It turned out that when he got married, Clara’s family had insisted on a proper home of their own—otherwise, they wouldn’t give their daughter away. My parents were running their business out of town, and this newly renovated place had been sitting empty.
They’d lent it to Uncle for his marriage. Uncle’s face was a picture of pleading. “Stephanie, come on, we’re family. You’ve gotta help me out here. Stay in the spare room for a while. Once Clara has the baby, we’ll move out right away. If I tell her now this place isn’t mine…” He shook his head. “I’m worried she’ll blow up. It wouldn’t be good for the baby.” Uncle is ten years older than me. He used to play with me a lot as a kid, and we’ve always been close. I wasn’t happy about it, but I thought about him—he wasn’t getting any younger, and life hadn’t been easy. “Uncle, we’re family. I want you to be happy too. Once she has the baby, you can count on a very nice baby gift from me.” Only then did Uncle relax. “Stephanie, whatever you do, don’t let it slip in front of Clara. She’d divorce me for sure.” I nodded and agreed. But I never expected Clara to come find me first thing the next morning, still heavily pregnant. “Stephanie, I’m due soon. Resting and protecting the pregnancy is my top priority.
Your uncle says you have nowhere to stay and need to crash here for a few days. So, I need to lay down some ground rules.” She pulled out an A4 sheet and started reading them off, one by one. “One: I need to rest at any time, day or night. Therefore, while living here, you are prohibited from making any noise whatsoever. “Two: I’m pregnant and it’s inconvenient. You cannot bring any guests over. “Three: Due to radiation concerns, you are not to use any electronic devices within three meters of me, including but not limited to mobile phones, tablets, etc.” … “Nine: After 10 PM, you must lock the door and turn off the lights. You may not return home after ten. “Ten: You need to learn independence. Once you find a job, you must move out as soon as possible.” Then she handed me the paper and told me to sign it. I pursed my lips and glanced at Uncle. He grimaced and widened his eyes in a silent, desperate plea, his hands making a begging motion behind her back. I said helplessly, “Auntie, none of that’s a problem.
I live a very regular life. We’re family. Once you have the baby, I can even help take care of it. Don’t worry.” Hearing this, Clara’s expression softened slightly. She nodded, satisfied, and went back to her room. I’d just gotten back and was swamped. I was busy until evening when Uncle came to see me again. “Stephanie, how long are you planning to stay this time? When are you heading back to the States?” “I’ve finished my master’s. I’m back to start my own business. I’m not going back to the U.S.” Uncle looked a little disappointed. “Young people starting businesses usually head for the big coastal cities, right? More opportunities there.” “I want to start my business here in my hometown. I’ve already got the project planned out. I’ll start setting things up in a few days.” Uncle’s face fell for a moment; then he patted his chest reassuringly. “Stephanie, don’t you worry. Once Clara has the baby, we’ll move out. We won’t take advantage of you.” I smiled. “Uncle, come on. You’re family, you’re not taking advantage.
Stay as long as you need.” Over the next few days, Clara kept dropping hints, asking when I planned to move out. I pretended not to understand. Gradually, she grew impatient, and her tone when speaking to me lost its initial politeness. “Never seen such a weird relative, treating someone else’s house like her own. She just won’t get the message and leave.” “Thinks she’s some spoiled princess back from studying abroad, so the whole family has to wait on her hand and foot?” I didn’t respond to these jabs. First, I wasn’t going to pick a fight with a pregnant woman—they’d be gone once the baby was born anyway. Second, I trusted Uncle to handle it. But I was too naive. One night, just as I’d lain down, the landline in my bedroom rang. The house still had the old intercom system where all the extensions were connected; you could pick up any phone and eavesdrop on a call.
I picked up, hearing Uncle’s and Grandma Susan’s voices. I figured she was calling for him and was about to hang up when I realized they were talking about me. “Mom, we have to find a way to get Stephanie out of here. Clara’s about to give birth. If she finds out the house isn’t mine, she’ll divorce me and take the baby with her. Then you’ll never see your grandson again. She might even change his last name.” Uncle’s voice was practically tearful. A cold knot tightened in my stomach. I never thought he’d say something like that. Grandma was immediately agitated. “Stephanie’s just a girl. She’ll get married sooner or later. What does she need a house for? Of course the house should stay with you.” I was furious. Grandma had always favored boys over girls—never had any time for me, always treating me like a liability. I remembered all those New Years and birthdays where Uncle got whatever expensive treats or toys he wanted, while she never even bought me a piece of candy on my birthday.
My parents sent money back home every month. Grandma’s living expenses and all her medical bills—my parents footed all of them. Uncle lived and ate at home but never contributed a cent. And now she wanted to give my house to him? Uncle seized the moment to fan the flames. “She came back without even discussing it with us first. She definitely just wants to kick us out.” Grandma was angry now. “She wouldn’t dare! I’ll call Maurice and have him come back. I’ll make him let you have the house.” “Clara has mentioned adding her name to the deed several times. And the baby will need that address to enroll in the best primary school district. You have to get Maurice to transfer the house to my name. That’s the only way to make it secure.” “Alright, alright. Mom will think of something.” The phone clicked back into its cradle. A cold, hard feeling settled in my chest. My own grandmother and uncle were secretly plotting against me like this. Talk to my parents? I shook my head.
The moment Grandma got angry, they’d back down. It was useless. I tossed and turned all night, unable to sleep. I decided to focus on getting my business plans settled first. Once Clara had the baby, I’d lay everything out on the table and make it clear. The next morning, as I was about to head out, Clara stopped me. “You drive out every day. Gas, parking—it’s so expensive. There are buses, the subway, and shared bikes nearby. Young people shouldn’t be so focused on comfort. You need to learn what hard work is.” I let her finish, then replied, “Don’t worry about it, Auntie. I can afford the gas. Taking the subway or bus every day is just too inefficient. I’d get back too late at night, and that would disturb you, wouldn’t it?”