Returning to My Husband’s Hometown for a Death Anniversary, the Whispering Voices in the Garden Sent Chills Down My Spine

I didn’t mean to eavesdrop on the conversation between my mother-in-law and a few aunts. But perhaps fate wanted me to hear it—so I could have the chance to change this deceitful marriage.

After our wedding four months ago, I had been busy with many things and hadn’t returned to my husband’s hometown to formally greet his relatives. My in-laws kept dropping hints, which pressured me into rearranging everything to make it back in time for the family death anniversary.

My husband also didn’t seem pleased that I kept postponing the visit to his paternal side of the family. He said that for a wife’s first visit to her husband’s hometown, I should at least try to show some enthusiasm—unlike how indifferent I appeared to be.

To be honest, I didn’t want to return to his hometown for a sensitive reason. At our wedding, after the guests from my husband’s side had eaten and drunk, they picked a fight with my relatives. Alcohol loosened tongues, but my family chose not to hold a grudge. Still, my in-laws left in a huff, swearing loudly and causing a huge scene.

My in-laws never offered an apology to my family. On the contrary, when my husband called his relatives to gently express his disappointment, my father-in-law got angry and warned him not to let anyone “instigate conflict” with family. It sounded like he was implying that I had intentionally stirred things up to create division in their family—when in reality, it was clearly their side that had done wrong.

The Day I Returned to My Husband’s Hometown for a Memorial, Whispering Voices in the Garden Sent Chills Down My Spine

The first time I went back to my husband’s hometown for a family memorial, many of his relatives came. On the surface, they smiled and acted friendly toward me. But the moment I turned away, I overheard them making all sorts of comments about me.

I greeted each person as introduced by my in-laws and brought proper gifts as the new daughter-in-law. Everyone seemed pleased with the gifts—but I felt increasingly discouraged by their attitude.

After the meal, I rolled up my sleeves and joined the women washing dishes. Some of them criticized me for wearing a dress that was “too stylish” for dishwashing, telling me not to wear such city clothes next time I visited. They laughed and said I acted like a spoiled princess, even mocking me for having painted nails.

Honestly, I didn’t think I was being scrutinized so harshly. It was my first time formally meeting my husband’s extended family as their daughter-in-law, so I dressed neatly and modestly. My outfit was plain and elegant—not flashy or revealing in any way.

I ignored their gossip and silently washed four full trays of dishes before getting up. My husband was still drinking with the men, so I wandered off to cool down and get some fresh air.

The village paths were wide, and the breeze from the rice fields was cool and refreshing. I walked along a path near my in-laws’ house and had only gone a short distance when I heard my mother-in-law’s voice from somewhere nearby.

Looking around, I realized the voice was coming from a small garden behind the house where the memorial was being held. My mother-in-law was picking guavas, and two of her sisters were nearby harvesting vegetables.

The brick wall was taller than I was, so they didn’t know I was standing close by. I accidentally overheard them mention my name—and what my mother-in-law said next sent chills down my spine:

“If Yen doesn’t get pregnant and give birth by the end of the year—especially if the ultrasound doesn’t show a boy—we’ll send her back where she came from and find another wife for Hung.”

The aunts chimed in, adding that I was too skinny and short to even be able to give birth properly. Every word dripped with judgment and scorn. I hadn’t done anything wrong to them, yet even my own mother-in-law saw me only as a tool for continuing their bloodline.

After eating the guava, my mother-in-law tossed the peel over the wall—it almost hit me. Her words echoed in my ears as I sank down by the wall, deeply disappointed.

I had planned to wait another two years before having children. I’m not even 30 yet, and I still want to focus on earning money and traveling before settling down for childbirth. But after hearing what my mother-in-law said, is she really planning to kick me out?

Thankfully, my husband and I haven’t registered our marriage yet. We were planning to do it in August. Now that I know how my mother-in-law truly feels—how she doesn’t see me as a person, but only as a potential baby-making machine—I’m horrified. She acts warm and welcoming on the outside, but inside she’s ready to get rid of me if I don’t produce a grandson.

A marriage built on love alone cannot survive. No matter how much my husband and I love each other, if his mother is actively plotting against us, we won’t last.

Why didn’t she just tell me upfront before the wedding? Why plan all this behind my back? Now my mind is a mess, filled with fear over her schemes. What am I supposed to do next?