When my husband’s aunt, Mary, asked to stay with us for “just a week,” I agreed without hesitation. But what started as a simple favor turned into a nightmare. Mary brought along Lauren, who had once briefly dated Rick, my husband. At first, it seemed harmless, but soon, things started to feel off. Weeks passed, and Lauren and Mary stayed well beyond their welcome. It was subtle at first—Lauren spilled red wine on my favorite dress and Mary broke a family heirloom, all with no remorse. Then came the stove incident,
where I found the burner left on with no flame, and Lauren denied any involvement. Whispers from neighbors suggested that Mary had been spreading rumors about Rick and me having problems. Lauren’s behavior grew more intimate with Rick, and I started to feel like a stranger in my own home. One day, I overheard them in the kitchen, plotting to break up my marriage. My heart sank as I realized they were trying to drive a wedge between us. I confronted Rick, but he didn’t believe me,