This wonderful spring day, Ashley decided to get out of her apartment and take a walk in the park near the small lake. It was the perfect spot to escape the city hustle and enjoy nature, letting her soul truly relax. The freshness of spring was all around, birds were singing, and the water in the lake shimmered with rainbow colors in the sunlight.

Ashley happily fed the ducks, which eagerly swam up to her for treats. She closed her eyes a bit and immediately felt the warm rays of the sun gently caressing her face. It was pure bliss.

At the same time, on the other end of the park, a handsome guy named Brandon was strolling. He had been watching Ashley for a while and couldn’t tear his gaze away from her effortless beauty and the calm way she interacted with the surroundings. She was simply stunning.

His heart beat faster when he finally decided to approach her. Taking a few steps, Brandon stopped nearby and, gathering all his courage, spoke. “Hello, miss!” he began with a smile.

“Don’t think I’m being pushy. I just couldn’t help but come over. You look so harmonious here, among this natural beauty… It would be a sin not to approach!” Ashley turned to him in surprise, but her gaze quickly softened. She responded with a smile, feeling a pleasant light excitement. That’s how Ashley and Brandon’s acquaintance began casually, which, as they would later realize, would become the start of something big and meaningful in their lives.

The young people walked together, chatted, smiled, and got shy looking into each other’s eyes. The air was filled with a subtle aroma of romance. Ashley liked this confident and determined guy, and after this meeting, they developed a warm relationship.

Several months of romantic walks, trips to the movies and restaurants, and now Brandon suggests introducing Ashley to his parents. The girl was very nervous, as this was the first time in her life that a relationship had gone so far. But oh my, what should one do when meeting your boyfriend’s parents? How to behave? She put on her best dress, applied light makeup, and on the way bought a delicious and beautiful cake.

After work, Brandon picked her up, and they drove together to his parents’ house. At the door, they were greeted by Richard Miller. He greeted them with a smile.

“Come in, Ashley!” Very glad to finally meet my son’s chosen one, about whom I’ve heard so much good. But Elizabeth Miller, Brandon’s mother, didn’t greet the potential daughter-in-law so warmly. She looked the girl up and down with hatred, saying nothing.

Just contemptuously grimacing, she grabbed Brandon by the hand and literally dragged him to the kitchen, leaving Ashley in complete confusion right at the doorstep. “Son, listen to your mother, who did you bring to us? Where did you find her? Does she earn her living on the street?” the mother scolded her son without mincing words. “Have you even seen her? Or are you completely blinded by infatuation?” Lips and nails red, wearing a dress where everything is visible, no need to even bend over….

“Why such punishment for me?” It feels like this isn’t a teacher, but some stripper who came to us. Straight from the nightclub. Elizabeth spoke so loudly and sharply that her words were heard by everyone around, especially Ashley herself, standing nearby. She couldn’t help but hear every insult thrown at her.

With each rude word, more and more tears appeared in the girl’s eyes. She couldn’t understand what exactly caused such a reaction from her future mother-in-law. Looking herself over for reassurance, Ashley found nothing that could provoke such strong displeasure…

Her nails were shortly trimmed and covered with a neat layer of red polish, nothing provocative. The dress, though slightly above the knees, was buttoned all the way, emphasizing the modesty of the outfit. Long blonde hair neatly gathered in a beautiful bun, adding even more elegance to her look.

Ashley still couldn’t understand what in her appearance or behavior could have angered Elizabeth so much. And then the girl heard her beloved’s voice. “Mom, stop right now! What kind of hysteria are you throwing?” the guy defended the girl.

“I gave that dress to Ashley myself. Her manicure and makeup are normal too. What did you want, for me to bring home a nun?” Don’t talk about my fiancée like that, or we’ll seriously quarrel.

The future mother-in-law responded in an even angrier voice. “Brandon, don’t you dare argue with your mother. I only wish you well, and this girl with red nails is clearly not for you.

Tell me, son, couldn’t you date a normal girl? One with a modest appearance. Don’t you understand that ones like this, they’re too beautiful? She won’t be faithful to you. Remember that, my dear.

Look at our neighbor’s daughter, Katie. Such a smart girl. And an excellent homemaker.

Sure, her looks aren’t as flashy. But she’ll be a loyal and devoted wife to you. Not like this red-lipstick wearer.

Elizabeth didn’t finish her tirade when Brandon sharply interrupted her. “Okay, Mom, enough already. You don’t know Ashley at all to say such things about her.

For me, she’s the best. Got it? Let your Katie stop flirting with me every time we meet, because my heart is already taken. Tell her that….

I know you well. It’s all happening on your initiative. You’ve been pushing this Katie as my wife since school.

Stop matchmaking already. I love Ashley. If you keep saying nasty things about her, our relationship will suffer greatly.

Hearing that Brandon stood up for her, Ashley calmed down a bit. He loves her, so everything’s fine.

Otherwise, after what she heard, she wanted to quickly leave this house. But her beloved was on her side, so everything would be good. Ashley smiled and secretly even shook her little fist at his mother.

No matter how she tries to separate them, that old snake won’t succeed. And just six months later, despite Elizabeth’s protests, the young couple got married. Standing in a lush white wedding gown, Ashley was very happy and tried not to notice the scorching glares from her new mother-in-law.

When guests gave toasts congratulating the newlyweds, the groom’s mother stood up with a glass of champagne and suddenly said, “I wish you happiness, son. And I really hope that, despite such a choice, you’ll be able to recognize true love.” Guests started whispering at such unclear words from the groom’s mother, but the cheerful wedding emcee quickly turned it into a joke…

After the exciting and unforgettable wedding celebration, Ashley and her husband moved into a three-bedroom apartment that was a true family heirloom. This apartment once belonged to Brandon’s grandmother, who during her lifetime gifted it to her beloved grandson. Now this cozy corner became their shared home, where they started building their family nest.

With each day, the apartment filled with warmth and comfort, walls decorated with shared photos, and every corner imbued with love and care. Ashley and Brandon put a lot of effort into turning this place into a true home, where every detail was filled with their happiness. A year passed, and their life gained new meaning when Ashley gave birth to their first child.

It was an exciting moment for the young family, and Brandon, overflowing with happiness and pride, suggested naming the son Jacob, in honor of his late grandfather, whose name meant a lot to him. Ashley gladly supported the idea, as she also really liked the name Jacob. She even remembered her favorite university professor with the same name.

Hearing this phrase, the mother-in-law smirked slyly and, as usual, dragged her son by the hand to the kitchen, where she again started whispering nasty things to him. “Your Ashley definitely conceived this child with someone else! I’m telling you for sure, son!” And she conceived it with that favorite professor of hers. No wonder she likes that name so much.

You saw how she smiled remembering that guy. It’s obvious to the naked eye. So you, my boy, need to be very careful and attentive.

And in general, if I were you, just in case, I’d check if this is your child. Otherwise, you’ll soon be hitting the ceiling with your horns. “Mom, have you completely lost your mind!” Brandon was stunned by what he heard.

“How can you say such things? This is your own grandson! And my wife is faithful to me. I don’t doubt her.” Offended by her son’s disbelief, Elizabeth just hissed in the end…

“It’s still unknown if this is my grandson. And you’ll remember my words yet. You’ll suffer with this flirtatious red-lipstick wearer.

Time went on its quiet course. And the young family built their life in love and harmony. The spouses raised their son, surrounding him with warmth and care…

However, there was an exception to the idyll. Elizabeth couldn’t come to terms with her son’s choice. The mother-in-law was determined to separate the newlyweds, and for that, she stopped at nothing.

Elizabeth started her intrigues by trying to discredit Ashley as a homemaker. She often visited the young couple under the pretext of help or simple conversation. However, her visits were always accompanied by troubles.

And one day, when Ashley was cooking lunch, the mother-in-law secretly oversalted the soup, making it completely inedible. Another time, when Ashley decided to treat the family to homemade biscuits, Elizabeth unnoticed opened the oven in the middle of baking, leading to complete failure. Ashley deeply worried about these failures each time.

And Elizabeth smirked satisfied, telling everyone around that her daughter-in-law doesn’t know how to keep house or cook. But despite all the mother-in-law’s attempts to undermine their relationship, the newlyweds continued to love and support each other. They understood that true family harmony is built not on cooking skills, but on mutual respect and understanding.

But one day, an event occurred that threatened Ashley’s family life. And although the mother-in-law wasn’t directly to blame, the consequences were the most serious. Soon, the wife had a class reunion.

It had been 10 years since they graduated high school, and she was very interested to learn how her former classmates’ lives had turned out. They agreed to come without their significant others, so Brandon, taking time off work, stayed home with little Jacob. The evening was at a restaurant, and Ashley returned home cheerful, slightly tipsy, and well past midnight.

From the doorstep, she started telling her husband how fun and eventful her evening was. She enthusiastically described how her classmates had changed and what successes some had achieved in life. Brandon listened to her with a smile, but a shadow of worry could be seen in his eyes.

He understood that such evenings could cause misunderstandings and even conflicts. However, at that moment, he didn’t want to spoil Ashley’s joy and decided to keep his thoughts to himself. And suddenly Ashley mentioned a certain Ryan, a former classmate…

Despite the fact that he didn’t study well in school, now he’s a successful businessman, and handsome and muscular too. And for some reason added, and by the way, I once dated Ryan, he was my first love. Brandon looked at his wife, who had become too candid, and he didn’t like what he heard.

Not that he was seriously jealous, but it was still unpleasant to hear. He sharply interrupted Ashley, saying he didn’t want to discuss past life and exes right now. And then came the day when their son turned five.

Ashley prepared thoroughly for this event, set a festive table, invited friends and relatives, carefully selected the menu, and decorated the house. Everything had to be perfect. The mother-in-law was there too, who always found a way to contribute to any event.

This time she tried to interfere in the kitchen again, but Ashley, anticipating possible troubles, smiled and handed her the grandson, asking her to play with him. It was a clever and wise move from the daughter-in-law, which allowed her to finish cooking peacefully. When everyone gathered at the table, the atmosphere was warm and friendly…

Guests couldn’t stop admiring the hostess’s culinary talents. The dishes prepared by Ashley were truly beyond praise. Conversations at the table flowed easily and casually, until the topic of the class reunion that Ashley had attended not long ago came up.

Brandon, deciding to tease his wife a bit, brought up her school romance. He asked his wife with a smile if she met her ex-boyfriend there, the one she loved in school. Ashley blushed slightly but quickly composed herself.

And with a light smile replied that the reunion was wonderful, but the past remains in the past. Guests supported her, and the conversation smoothly shifted to other topics, leaving only a light aftertaste of nostalgia and fun. But the mother-in-law already sensed her chance…

Elizabeth with a satisfied smile called her son to the kitchen for a talk. The woman decided she definitely shouldn’t miss such an opportunity to catch her daughter-in-law in infidelity. “Son, tell me, has this classmate Ryan been living in our city all this time and never left?” Brandon, not understanding what his mother had in mind, replied, “Seems so.”

The mother, rubbing her hands with triumph in her voice, said, “Well, now everything’s clear to me. Jacob isn’t yours, but from that suitor of hers. No wonder she told you that.

So be prepared for the real dad of this child to show up soon.” From these words, Brandon’s jaw dropped. He wanted to object, but his mother gave him no chance.

Elizabeth reminded her son only. “You remember, son, how shortly before Ashley got pregnant, you had quarrels and scandals for a while. Remember how she lived at her mother’s for a few days? Forgot? And then, like a bolt from the blue, the news of her pregnancy.

Exactly during that period. And you didn’t divorce her precisely because of the child. And as a result, you reconciled.

Just look closer, Jacob doesn’t look like you at all.” The mother continued weaving intrigues and wouldn’t stop. After the talk with his mother, Brandon thought about it.

And then, when all the guests went home, he threw a terrible scandal at his wife. “So, dear, either we do a DNA test, or I’m divorcing you,” the husband demanded. Ashley couldn’t believe her ears.

How could he suggest such a thing to her? She burst into tears from offense. Then she calmed down, pulled herself together, and thought. “Fine, test it is.

She has nothing to fear or hide.” She replied to her husband challengingly. “Okay, dear, let’s do the DNA test.

But I have one condition. You must take this test too.” Brandon was simply shocked….

“What do you mean?” he asked his wife in surprise. “Then the wife explained everything. You need to take a test for kinship with your father.

What if your mom conceived you with someone else too? Usually, those who cheat themselves suspect others of it. It’s offensive somehow. You don’t believe me, but take her words as pure truth.”..

Brandon got angry and started yelling back at his wife. “What nonsense is this? How can you talk about my mom like that? She and dad have been living together for almost 30 years. And everything’s fine with them.”

But Ashley wouldn’t back down. In the end, the husband agreed. Now, when his emotions settled, he understood that in principle, his wife had the right to this.

Suspicions are no joke. And Ashley just wanted her husband to feel what it’s like when you’re suspected and not trusted. Calming down, Brandon replied dryly.

“Okay, dear. You’ll have your test. I’ll try to convince dad, though I can’t even imagine how to explain it to him.”

At first, the father didn’t agree to such an adventure. Richard just grumbled discontentedly. “What nonsense have you come up with? Why is this needed?” “Dad, listen, can you just help me without extra questions?”

“Alright, son,” the elderly man sighed. But he didn’t particularly like this idea for some reason. And then came the day when the test results were ready.

Brandon and Ashley came to visit the parents. Picking up the sealed envelope from the clinic, everyone sat at the table. Brandon took out the sealed envelope….

Elizabeth smirked slyly, anticipating her imminent victory. She eagerly waited for her son to open the envelope. But Brandon, turning to her, said, “Mom, I’ll open this cursed envelope now and announce the results.

If you were right, Ashley and I will divorce. But if the test is positive, you’ll apologize to my wife. And you’ll never interfere in our life to quarrel us again.

I think that’s fair.” The mother-in-law just smiled and nodded. Finally, Brandon opened the envelope and announced little Jacob’s results.

The mother listened stunned and didn’t believe her ears. And Brandon was ready to burn with shame. His first impulse was to kneel before his wife and beg for forgiveness.

He scolded himself with the worst words. To believe his mother, not his beloved wife. What a fool I am! But Ashley stopped all his attempts to apologize and looked attentively at her mother-in-law…

Elizabeth was shaking with anger from the test results. And Brandon slowly took out the second envelope and mysteriously said, “But that’s not all. Here are the paternity test results for me and dad.

My wife insisted on this, and I wasn’t against it.” Hearing her son’s words, Elizabeth nearly fell off her chair. She clutched the table and shouted, “Brandon, don’t!”

Then she jumped up and tried to snatch the envelope from her son. But Brandon sat her back down and opened the envelope. Son and father stared at the results with interest…

And suddenly Brandon stared incomprehensibly at his mother. And Richard snatched the paper from his son and said, “What do you mean? How is this possible? I don’t understand anything.” “I don’t understand either, Dad,” the son replied.

And then the real nightmare began. It wasn’t just a scandal. The truth came out, and everything collapsed in one moment.

It turned out that Elizabeth herself was caught in what she accused her daughter-in-law of. The DNA test results clearly stated that Brandon is not his father’s biological relative. The mother-in-law’s old sin surfaced in full.

The house was filled with terrible screams and howls. The woman tried to justify herself. She shouted that she was slandered, that it was all set up.

Her husband threatened to strangle the unfaithful wife who foisted a child from an affair on him, making him a true cuckold. Neighbors started knocking on the door demanding to stop the scandal. And even threatened to call the police.

Ashley sat quietly as a mouse, not saying a word. Despite her suspicions proving true, she felt no joy from the victory. Quite the opposite…

To some extent, she felt guilty, as her demands had destroyed her husband’s family. She didn’t want that. God is witness.

In the end, Richard said he would now file for divorce. “I’m very bitter and hurt from learning the truth,” he told his wife with offense in his voice. “Now it’s clear why you tried to slander the daughter-in-law, you sensed your own sin…

But you were wrong, not everyone is like you.” Elizabeth no longer shouted or justified herself, just quietly cried from helplessness. And Brandon gently took his wife’s hand and quietly said, “Don’t blame yourself, dear.

Better bitter truth than sweet lie.” He was even grateful to his wife for opening his eyes to his mother. Of course, his mind understood, but his heart didn’t want to believe in the meanness of a close person.

And the mother-in-law got a good lesson. No point shifting from a sick head to a healthy one. All she achieved with her intrigues and games was a destroyed family and a lonely retirement.

Fate turned out to be the cleverest in this story. It presented such a gift that one could only grieve.