As my mother-in-law, Doreen, said she’d be staying for the week, I was genuinely happy.

I made the guest room cozy with fresh pillows and towels and even added lavender-scented soap as a nice touch.

Feeling extra thoughtful, I baked her favorite scones along with some chocolate muffins and cranberry.

I was doing my best.

Because she was Jake’s mom, I wanted her to feel at home.

I didn’t know she had other plans.

That evening, I came home from work, looking forward to the smell of Doreen’s homemade stew.

But instead, the house was completely silent.

My bedroom was taken over.

Not just used—completely claimed.

Doreen stood in the middle of the room, humming as she unpacked her suitcase… while tossing my clothes onto the floor.

My shoes? Stuffed into a laundry basket.

My dresses? A wrinkled pile.

Her things? Neatly placed in my closet and drawers, like she had always lived there.