When my parents-in-law came to visit, my husband immediately gave me ₱200 and told me to go to the market, asking me to cook 6 dishes. I was so angry that I stood at the door and overheard my husband’s family talking about the new apartment in my husband’s name…
That day, my parents-in-law came to visit from Batangas. As soon as I entered the house, my husband – Marco – took out exactly ₱200 and put it in my hand, instructing me:

– “Go to palengke to buy things, cook 6 dishes for your parents properly!”

I stood there dumbfounded at the door, feeling bitter inside. ₱200 and demanding 6 dishes, it was like treating me like a kasambahay. But I still intended to be patient and step outside.

Suddenly, from the living room came the sound of laughter and chatter. I clearly heard my mother-in-law and father-in-law whispering, and Marco boasted proudly:
– “Yung bagong condo unit sa Quezon City, nasa pangalan ko na. (The new apartment in Quezon City is already under my name). From now on, parents can rest assured, your son has a stable place to live, no need to worry about anything anymore.”

I was stunned. It turned out that all this time, he had kept the apartment purchase a secret from me, refusing to let me know, and even more so, not putting my name on the papers.

I stopped going to the market. I quietly went around the back door, opened the cupboard, and took out the stack of papers that I had secretly kept since before the wedding.

The shock at dinner

At dinner time, my husband’s family stared wide-eyed when they saw me not even bring out a single tray of food. Instead, I placed a stack of red papers right in front of them: a contract to transfer a plot of land in Cavite worth millions of pesos – the property that my biological parents had given me before the wedding.

I calmly said, my voice resolute:

“This dowry, if the family wants to merge, then the condo must have both husband and wife’s names. Otherwise, sorry, each of us will keep it separately. I don’t need to contribute anything more.”

The atmosphere in the room was dead silent. The mother-in-law was speechless. The father-in-law turned away. Marco’s face was pale, sweat was dripping down his forehead.

That very afternoon, Marco himself had to take me to the barangay to do the procedure of having my name on the apartment papers. He didn’t dare to argue any further, just silently signed the contract.

Part 2: When Mother-in-law Won’t Stop

After the day I went to the barangay to register the condo in Quezon City, I thought everything would be quiet. Marco was silent, not daring to say anything, and my father-in-law just sighed. But my mother-in-law – Aling Rosa – did not accept defeat.

She kept hinting:
– “Asha, a wise woman knows how to live off her husband, don’t dream of being on the same level. One day, you will understand.”

I didn’t answer. But deep down, I knew: she was still trying to push me out of the family’s interests.

Hidden plan

One afternoon, I overheard a conversation in the kitchen between my mother-in-law and Marco. Her voice was low but clear:
– “Son, you have to be smart. Don’t let him tie you down with your name on the condo. Later, if there is a problem with the marriage, you will lose everything. It’s best to make other papers, secretly transferring it to your parents to keep.”

My heart turned cold. Marco was silent, but that silence was more terrifying than the promise.

Asha counterattacked

That night, I did not make a fuss, but quietly took all the important documents in the house and put them in a private safe, even changing the password. After that, I secretly made an appointment to meet a familiar lawyer – the one who had helped my parents with the Cavite land documents.

After listening, the lawyer just nodded:
– “Don’t worry. The condo papers have both of your names, your husband cannot transfer them without your consent by signature. If your husband’s family continues to pressure you, you can file a lawsuit to protect your rights. The law is on your side.”

I smiled. For the first time, I felt that I was no longer as weak as before.

Family confrontation

As I expected, another night, my mother-in-law tried to set a trap. She put fake documents on the table, telling me to sign the “condo maintenance receipt”. But I managed to see the small print at the end: “Consent to transfer ownership.”

I calmly looked up:
– “Mom, I have asked a lawyer to check everything. If you still try to deceive me, I will immediately file a petition with the barangay and the court. And I promise, this time it is not just the condo – the whole Cavite land will also be placed under separate legal protection.”

The atmosphere in the house was heavy as lead. Father-in-law coughed, Marco turned pale, and Aling Rosa was speechless, unable to believe that I had prepared so carefully.

The real mistress

I stood up, my voice firm:
– “From now on, if there is anything related to property or the house, please discuss it directly with both husband and wife. Don’t think you can fool me like before. I didn’t come to this house to be an outsider.”

Marco bowed his head, his voice low:
– “Asha… I’m sorry. I won’t let mother force you anymore.”

My eyes looked at him calmly but firmly. For the first time, I felt like I had truly become the mistress of this house, no longer the patient, weak bride in this house.