My MIL Who Always Hated Me Unexpectedly Extended an Olive Branch — If Only I Knew Her Real Intentions

Cynthia, my mother-in-law, hated me.

I’m not talking about the *subtle, slightly annoyed* MIL stuff. No, this was full-on, passive-aggressive warfare. Fake smiles, backhanded compliments, and her **insistence that my husband’s ex should attend our wedding.**

So when she suddenly changed overnight, I was **stunned.**

She started calling me *sweetie,* complimenting my cooking, and even **buying me gifts.**

At first, I thought I was hallucinating. The woman who once said *“I miss the days when my son had taste”* was now **going out of her way to be nice?**

Yeah. **I was suspicious.**

### **Too Good to Be True**

One day, I casually mentioned a designer handbag I liked while we were all out shopping. The next day? **She showed up at my house with that exact handbag, all wrapped up in a fancy bag.**

*”Oh, I just saw it and thought of you, dear!”* she chirped.

I was floored. *Was this a trap?*

My husband, being the **oblivious optimist** he was, said, *”See? She’s warming up to you! Just accept it!”*

Against my better judgment, I did.

Until one evening, she invited me out for coffee.

**Just me.**

This was… new. Cynthia had **never** wanted one-on-one time with me before.

*Maybe she’s finally accepting me,* I told myself.

**I was so wrong.**

### **The Truth Comes Out**

I arrived at the café, expecting small talk and forced politeness.

Instead, as soon as I sat down, she **grabbed my hands** across the table, staring at me with laser focus.

*”Susan… I NEED A FAVOR.”*

My stomach dropped. *Here we go.*

*”What kind of favor?”* I asked warily.

She **sighed dramatically.** *”I need you to take out a loan for me.”*

**Wait. What?**

*”Excuse me?”*

*”A loan,”* she repeated, as if I were stupid. *”I can’t take one out myself because of some… let’s call them *past financial issues.* But if you took one out, just a small one, I’d pay it back right away!”*

My head was spinning.

*”Why would I take out a loan for you?”*

She **squeezed my hands tighter.** *”Because we’re family now, dear. And you know how much I care about you. I just need a little help.”*

And there it was. The **real reason** behind her sudden kindness.

### **Exposing Her Game**

*”So, let me get this straight,”* I said slowly. *”You started being nice to me… because you wanted money?”*

Cynthia had the *audacity* to look **offended.**

*”Of course not!”* she gasped. *”I just thought we had gotten close enough that you’d want to help.”*

I pulled my hands back and **leaned in.**

*”You must think I’m an idiot.”*

She **blinked.** *”Excuse me?”*

*”You hated me until you needed something. You bought me a few gifts, played the nice MIL role, and now you think I’ll take out a loan in MY NAME for YOU?”*

Her face **twisted.**

*”Well,”* she huffed, *”I didn’t realize you were so selfish.”*

I **laughed out loud.** *”Selfish? You want ME to risk my credit for YOUR financial mess, and I’M the selfish one?”*

She sat back, arms crossed, her expression turning **ice cold.** The fake charm was **gone.**

*”I should’ve known,”* she muttered. *”You’re just like the rest—only looking out for yourself.”*

I stood up, grabbed my bag, and **smiled sweetly.**

*”Funny. That’s exactly how I’d describe you.”*

And with that, I walked out—**leaving her alone with her fake kindness and her financial disaster.**