My name is Mai. Having been a daughter-in-law in this three-story house for five years, I thought I had experienced every dynamic of the traditional mother-in-law/daughter-in-law relationship. My mother-in-law – sharp, strict, and authoritative – always set rules so rigid that even a slightly wrong-sized pair of slippers earned a scolding. But all my experience was shattered the day she decided to remarry a man who was just 20 years old.

The marriage between my mother-in-law and Hoàng – a young man the age of a grandchild in the family – not only shocked the entire lineage but also turned the three-story house into an unfamiliar place. Immediately after the ceremony, the “Newlyweds” locked themselves in the third-floor room, bolting the door for an entire week. They disappeared, unconcerned with anyone, even on the day of my paternal grandfather’s death anniversary.

Throughout that week, I, the only daughter-in-law, had to manage the memorial service and the cooking, all while being scolded by Quang, my husband, for being “excessive” for daring to disturb his mother’s “happiness.” I endured it for a day, two days, but by the seventh day, as my resentment and anxiety peaked, I decided to storm into that room.

I never expected the sight before my eyes to be so horrifying that it froze me on the spot, unraveling a dark secret about the “happiness” my mother-in-law was concealing.

For a whole week after the wedding, the third-floor room was tightly locked. I stood outside the door, grocery list in hand, my head spinning with the things needed for the memorial day.

“Mother, are you there?” I knocked several times, with no reply. I pressed my ear against the door, trying to catch any sound – footsteps, the rustle of curtains, or just a cough – but there was absolutely nothing. “Mother, I just wanted to ask what you’d like to eat so I can shop and cook. The grandfather’s memorial is today, Mother.”

Still silent. The mix of worry and frustration gave me the courage to call out: “Mother, I’m coming in, Mother. I’m truly worried now.”

The moment I reached for the doorknob, Quang’s voice boomed from downstairs, his tone utterly protective of his mother: “Stop bothering Mother. She’s enjoying her happiness, you wouldn’t understand.”

I stood frozen for a moment, then called back: “She can’t even come down for the memorial? Do you think that’s reasonable?”

Quang rushed up the stairs, his face contorted: “Do you need to scrutinize every little thing? It’s only been a week since they got married!”

I stared straight at him, unflinching: “For a week, she hasn’t come downstairs to eat, forcing me to carry food all the way up, no calls, no concern for anyone in the house. If you can honestly say that’s normal, I truly salute you.”

Quang lowered his voice, but every word was clear: “I think you are being unreasonable. If you can’t support Mother’s happiness, then at least don’t interfere.”

I gave a bitter laugh: “So, I’m unreasonable for asking if my mother-in-law is healthy, what she’d like to eat, and if she plans to attend the memorial? I just don’t understand why I was once scolded for buying a slightly wrong-sized pair of slippers, yet now, your mother marries a man the age of her grandson and locks herself in a room for a week, and it’s called ‘happiness’!”

Quang turned away sharply: “Stop bringing up old matters. Can you just try to be more open-minded?”

This three-story house, since the arrival of my mother-in-law’s new husband, had become a pressure cooker, and I was the one being squeezed.

That afternoon, my phone rang. “Mother-in-law” flashed on the screen. Her voice was the familiar cold monotone: “Hello, Mai, go to the market and buy a few kilos of seafood for me. Make sure it’s fresh and large, understood?”

I lightly squeezed the phone. I was used to these commands, but today was the memorial day.

“Mother, you still don’t plan to come down? We have the memorial today,” I tried to keep my voice gentle.

She sneered on the phone, answering bluntly: “I spent my whole life worrying about you all. Now it’s my turn to enjoy happiness. You take care of the memorial fuss.”

I took a deep breath, trying to remain calm, and asked gently: “I’ll go shopping, but Mother, could you please come down for dinner with the family? Just one meal.”

“Can’t do it,” her voice was clipped, “tomorrow, Hoàng and I have some business to attend to, and need to buy some more supplements. Get the hint?”

I dropped the phone onto the table. Everything inside me felt suffocated. She once called my nightgown indecent; she criticized me for improperly brewing tea. Now, she was living as if the rest of the world didn’t exist.

That evening, I asked Quang: “Did you try calling Mother down for dinner? Did she come?”

Quang didn’t look up, only mumbled: “Just leave Mother alone. It’s her choice how she eats. Why do you keep interfering?”

“The issue isn’t her right to live, but that Mother is abandoning the family, and it’s the grandfather’s memorial!” I set down my chopsticks, suppressing a sigh.

Quang looked up, his face darkening: “Are you jealous? Are you unhappy that Mother is happy?”

I laughed, the sound hollow: “Good heavens, what are you saying? I’m jealous? Jealous of my mother-in-law marrying a young man?”

Quang slammed his chopsticks on the table: “That’s enough! Who Mother marries is her business, as long as they genuinely love each other.”

I planted both hands on the table, looking him straight in the eye: “Do you know why he loves your mother? For affection or for this house? Don’t dump all the responsibility on me. Since Mother got married, I’ve been treated like a servant, ordered around, looked down upon, and even you, you speak to me like a stranger!”

That night, unable to sleep, I stood outside my mother-in-law’s room. Light seeped from under the door. I pressed my ear against it, but still no sound. I reached for the doorknob. It wasn’t locked. My gut told me that if I didn’t open this door, I would regret it.

When I pushed the knob, the door swung open, and a pungent odor hit me, making me dizzy. It was a mix of cheap perfume, cigarette smoke, and the stale, stuffy air of a room sealed for too long.

I stepped in, my eyes adjusting to the dim light. The air conditioner was running full blast, but my mother-in-law was covered in sweat, her hair messy, and her face pale.

I cried out in alarm: “Mother, what’s wrong? Why are you sweating so much?”

She spun around in shock, hissing through clenched teeth, her voice cracking: “Get out!” She hastily pulled the blanket around herself, avoiding my eyes, looking like a guilty person rather than someone living in happiness.

I forced myself to remain calm, taking another step, my voice trembling with worry and indignation: “Mother, are you okay?”

Before she could answer, the sound of water stopped in the bathroom, and the door opened. Hoàng stepped out, wearing only a towel around his waist. He showed no embarrassment; instead, he smirked, his eyes looking at me as if I were a joke.

“Who is it? Oh, the dutiful daughter-in-law? Don’t you know how to knock before entering a grown-up’s room?”

“I did knock, but Mother didn’t answer. I was worried, so I…” I choked out.

Hoàng cut me off, his voice drawn out and disdainful: “Worried, or curious about other people’s bedroom business?”

My chest heaved with anger. I clenched my fists and looked him in the eye: “Mind your language!”

He laughed, strolling leisurely, his voice growing bolder: “Don’t think being the daughter-in-law gives you authority. In this house, I am the husband of the owner, got it?”

I turned to my mother-in-law, hoping for her reaction: “Mother, you let him talk to me like that and stay silent?”

She avoided my gaze, her eyes teary, her voice weak: “Mai, I already told you, don’t interfere in my affairs.”

I was stunned. There was no happiness in this room. Her red-rimmed eyes and trembling hands revealed only fear.

The next morning, after Hoàng and my mother-in-law left, I tidied up their room. A hard object fell onto the floor from under the pillow. I picked it up: a smooth, black USB drive.

A moment of hesitation passed, but an overpowering urge forced me to know the truth. I plugged the USB into my laptop. The screen lit up, showing a series of video files organized by date and time. My heart pounded fiercely; my hand trembled so much I had to grip the edge of the desk to steady the cursor.

I clicked on a short segment. The sound and image immediately surfaced, leaving me paralyzed.

It was a private moment between my mother-in-law and Hoàng. But what truly chilled me was the moment Hoàng looked directly into the camera, a challenging smirk playing on his lips.

I whispered, my voice choked: “My God, he deliberately filmed this!”

All the pieces clicked into place: the trembling voice at night, the pleas, the fearful look in my mother-in-law’s eyes. She was not happy; she was being blackmailed.

That afternoon, Hoàng returned, his walk arrogant, like the lord of the house. He demanded haughtily: “Hey, did you wash the clothes I left in the room? Or were you sneaking around doing something shady?”

I put down the notebook, stood up, and looked him straight in the face, my voice calm but cold: “How long were you planning to hide it from us? I’ve already watched that USB.”

Hoàng froze for a second, his eyes showing a flicker of surprise before quickly turning to contempt. He scoffed, walking closer: “Oh really? So you watched it? What are you going to do? Invite the whole family to watch it together for fun?”

I gritted my teeth, snapping: “You’re sick, stop it! Why did you film it secretly?”

Hoàng sneered, his voice slick, as if he had prepared the answer: “To make your mother obey me, that’s all.”

Footsteps echoed from the staircase. My mother-in-law stood there, her face ashen, her hands gripping the railing, body trembling: “Mai… what are you saying? Hoàng is not that kind of person!”

I looked directly at her, my eyes stinging: “Mother, I’ve seen everything. I refuse to believe you willingly endure this. I know you’re being forced.”

Hoàng snarled, pointing a finger at my face, his voice a hiss: “That’s enough! If you breathe another word of this, the whole family will know what kind of woman your mother is!”

My mother-in-law closed her eyes, her lips trembling silently. Hoàng looked at me with the eyes of a winner.

I couldn’t stand still any longer. I rushed forward and grabbed my mother-in-law’s hand. Her hand was ice-cold and shaking. I looked at her, my voice catching but steady: “Mother, I know everything. Why do you let him control you like this? Why do you endure this humiliation?”

She snatched her hand away as if she’d been electrocuted, stared at me, then immediately lowered her gaze, her voice weak: “Mai, you don’t understand. If that clip gets out, I’ll have no dignity left. I’d rather obey him.”

I looked at her, my heart wrenching: “Do you think silence will bring peace? He will never stop. The more you submit, the more he’ll push you!”

She suddenly screamed, as if fear had turned into rage: “Be quiet! It’s because of your nosy mouth that I’m suffering like this now!”

I was stunned, my heart feeling torn apart. Tears welled up, but I forced the words out: “Mother, you’d rather side with him than face and accept the truth?”

No one answered me. She bowed her head, avoiding my gaze, as if I didn’t exist.

Just then, Quang walked in, having returned from work. He frowned: “What’s going on?”

I didn’t wait any longer. I turned and looked straight at my husband: “You’re just in time. I’ll tell you clearly. Hoàng filmed a clip to blackmail your mother.”

Quang froze. “Are you rambling again? Are you out of lies to tell?”

“It’s not a lie.” I emphasized every word, pulling the USB from my pocket: “I have proof, it’s right here!”

My mother-in-law shook her head, her voice sharp: “Mai, don’t falsely accuse him!”

Hearing his mother, Quang immediately reverted to the dutiful son, stepping toward Hoàng: “Uh, step-dad, I’m sorry, my wife is being foolish.”

I stood there, paralyzed. Hoàng folded his arms, leaning back, a provocative smirk on his lips. My mother-in-law stood like a stone statue, silent, only closing her eyes as if surrendering.

I knew I couldn’t wait for a miracle.

I met up with Linh, a college friend who understood the law. I placed the copied USB on the table: “Linh, you have to help me. I’m holding a very dangerous secret, but I believe it’s the only chance I have to save my mother-in-law.”

Linh watched the clip, her face instantly serious: “This isn’t simple, Mai. This is blackmail. If your mother testifies, he could face criminal prosecution.”

“The problem is she won’t; he’s threatened her to the point where she’s lost her mind.”

Linh pulled a small object from her bag: a smooth, black ballpoint pen. “Take this. It’s a miniature voice recorder. Just press the top once, and it records automatically. Good quality. Just have your mother carry it and press the button; I’ll handle the rest.”

I took the pen, heavy in my hand, like holding a gun. Linh looked at me with determination: “I’ll write you a script, a way to talk to someone being psychologically manipulated. The most important thing is to make her feel she’s not alone and understand that if she speaks up, someone will stand by her.”

That afternoon, I brought a tray of hot tea up to the third floor, when Hoàng was out and Quang had just left. I sat across from my mother-in-law.

“Mother, I made some warm tea. Please drink it to calm yourself.”

She didn’t turn around: “Mai, just leave it. I’m not thirsty.”

“I understand. And I don’t blame you.” I spoke softly. “Mother, if he were to post that video online, who do you think society would side with?”

The question made her spin around, eyes wide in horror: “You mean he would really do that?”

“Not only would he dare, but he’s already prepared. He’s waiting for you to sign the documents.”

She covered her face, whimpering: “Mai, I… I have no dignity left.”

I pulled my chair closer: “Mother, if you don’t stand up, he’ll do this to others. You are not wrong; he is.”

I placed the small pen in her hand: “If he forces you to sign any papers, you only need to press the button on this pen, and I’ll take care of the rest. You won’t have to confront him, so don’t fear his retaliation.”

My mother-in-law looked at me. For the first time, her eyes didn’t push me away. She didn’t speak, only gripped the pen tightly. That was enough for me to know she was ready.

That night, I crouched behind the curtain near the second-floor staircase, tightly holding my phone. Hoàng returned. The door closed, and then Hoàng’s voice was low and full of pressure.

“Have you thought it over? Sign here, the house will be in my name, and I’ll spare you.”

“Hoàng, promise me, if I sign, you’ll delete those things.” My mother-in-law’s voice was audible.

He chuckled, the sound chilling: “Promise? Are you that naive? After you sign, I’ll keep it just to make sure you don’t try any tricks.”

Her voice broke: “Please, I beg you, I plead with you.”

“Fine, I won’t force you. You have two choices: one, sign; two, tomorrow morning you become the laughingstock on the internet.”

I clamped my hand over my mouth, my heart boiling with rage. I had to wait a little longer. Just a little more.

The next morning, I was sitting in the living room. My mother-in-law was dressed neatly. Hoàng casually walked down.

I looked up, my voice clear and calm: “Today, I just need everyone to hear this one clip.”

I turned on the phone’s speaker and played the recording. Hoàng’s voice was distinct, without hesitation: “Sign here, the house will be in my name, and I’ll spare you. I’ll keep it just to make sure you don’t try any tricks. Tomorrow morning you become the laughingstock on the internet.”

The room was silent. Quang stared at Hoàng: “What is this? Are you threatening my mother?”

Hoàng quickly glanced at me, then sneered: “What is this? She made it up. Anyone can splice audio; how can you know?”

I cut him off: “Spliced? Do you want me to add the original video? The original USB is still here!”

Hoàng’s eyes twitched. He hissed: “You’re very clever. You set me up!”

I stood up, my gaze steady: “No one set you up. You did this to yourself, so you face the consequences.” I turned to my mother-in-law, my voice softening: “Mother, you’ve endured too much. Now is the time to reclaim your dignity.”

My mother-in-law looked at me, tears welling up, and said quietly: “Mai, you are right. I am grateful to you.”

I turned back to Hoàng: “You have two choices. One, hand over all the original videos and leave this house right now. Two, I will send the entire USB, the recording, and a formal complaint to the police.”

He looked around, his eyes lingering on my mother-in-law, who was bowing her head. He gave a low, cynical laugh, then pulled out his phone and started deleting all the videos. After that, he left in silence.

The door slammed shut behind him. My mother-in-law burst into tears, her shoulders shaking. She walked towards me, sobbing: “Mai, I’m sorry. I was so cruel to you.”

I looked at her, then said softly: “It’s okay, Mother. I only hope that from now on, you live for yourself, without fearing anyone anymore.”

That evening, I and my mother-in-law sat across from each other. The USB and the recording pen lay on the table.

“Mai, are you going to hand these over to the police?” My mother-in-law asked.

I nodded: “Yes, I think he should pay the price.”

She shivered, then buried her face in her hands, her shoulders trembling: “But we can’t, dear. If we do that… I beg you, I won’t be able to live with myself. If that clip is exposed, I’ll have nothing left. People will talk about it until I die.”

I reached out and took her hand—the first time I had initiated contact. It was the grasp of one woman to another, to someone terrified of losing her last shred of self-respect. I said gently: “Mother, I understand. You don’t deserve to bear the malicious judgment of outsiders anymore. I won’t send them in.”

Without waiting for her reply, I slowly stood up, carrying the USB and the pen to the kitchen. I turned on the gas stove. I placed both the USB and the pen into the blue flame. They burned softly, the plastic melting, a faint smell of burnt plastic, and slight popping sounds. I didn’t flinch.

I destroyed the evidence, not because I forgave him, but because I respected her. I chose to protect the last thing she had left: Her dignity.

A few months passed, and life in the house slowly returned to normal. One morning, I was making breakfast when my mother-in-law walked into the kitchen, her face pale, holding her phone: “Mai, look at this.”

The screen showed a rapidly shared news article: “21-Year-Old Man Arrested for Blackmailing Middle-Aged Woman with Video Clips, Suspected of Deceiving Multiple Victims.” The photo was unmistakably Hoàng. He had been caught after targeting another victim, a Marketing Director, who immediately reported him to the police.

“In this life, what goes around really does come around, doesn’t it?” I smiled faintly.

From that day on, my mother-in-law never mentioned Hoàng’s name again. She also stopped avoiding me. That evening, she gently knocked on my door, holding a steaming bowl of stew.

“Mai, I made some stew. Eat it while it’s warm. I’ve been practicing cooking the dishes you like. The kids are older now; if you want to go back to work, go ahead. I’ll take care of them myself.”

I took the bowl, surprised. She shook her head: “No, I must change. Because I was the one who drove you to misery. Without you, I don’t know how I would have survived those days with that man.”

Her words were slow, honest, devoid of any arrogance or scrutiny.

Another afternoon, I came home late from picking up the children and saw Quang sitting in the kitchen. He wasn’t watching TV or on his phone; he just sat there, holding a cold cup of tea, looking out the window as if waiting for me.

“Mai, are you still angry with me?”

I stood still: “What do you think?”

He sighed, saying slowly: “I… I was truly foolish. When you needed me most, I sided with someone else. I know I don’t deserve forgiveness immediately, but give me time. I’m taking a management course; I want to stand on my own merits so you can be proud.”

I didn’t smile or turn away, only said quietly: “I only hope you learn how to distinguish right from wrong. That’s enough.”

Quang nodded again, looking at me. This time, it wasn’t an apology but a beginning. A beginning that, though late, was better than never.