I BURIED MY WIFE 20 YEARS AGO — YESTERDAY, SHE LITERALLY SAVED ME FROM A STROKE.

The rain hammered against the windshield, mirroring the storm raging inside me. It had been a year since the accident. A year since my wife, Emily, had vanished without a trace. The car, a mangled wreck, had been discovered at the edge of the Blackwood Forest, a chilling reminder of the day my world shattered.

The police had searched tirelessly, but to no avail. Volunteers combed the forest, their faces etched with sympathy, but their efforts yielded nothing. The prevailing theory, grim as it was, was that wild animals had taken her.

Emily’s mother, a woman of unwavering faith, had insisted on a funeral. “We need closure,” she’d said, her voice thick with grief. And so, we gathered, surrounded by the somber silence of the cemetery, to mourn a life cut tragically short.

But grief, it turned out, was a stubborn beast. It clung to me, a persistent shadow that followed me everywhere. I couldn’t escape the haunting memories – Emily’s laughter, the way she smelled of lavender, the warmth of her hand in mine.

And then, a few days ago, the unthinkable happened. I was at the local cafe, enjoying a much-needed cup of coffee, when a sudden wave of dizziness washed over me. The world tilted, the warm coffee spilling across the table. I slumped to the floor, the taste of bitter coffee and fear filling my mouth.

Panic surged through me as I struggled to breathe. Then, I felt a gentle hand on my shoulder. “Sir, are you alright?” a concerned voice asked.

As I tried to focus, a face swam into view. It was a woman, her eyes wide with concern. “Can you pronounce this word for me?” she asked, her voice clear and calm. “Apple.”

I managed a slurred “Apple.”

“Good. Now, can you lift your right hand?”

I tried, but my arm felt heavy, unresponsive. Fear, cold and clammy, gripped me. What was happening?

Then, as my vision cleared, I saw her. Her face, pale and drawn, framed by a tangled mass of hair. The same captivating blue eyes, the same mischievous glint in their depths. And there it was, unmistakable, the crescent-shaped birthmark on the left side of her forehead.

It couldn’t be. It couldn’t be Emily.

But it was.

She looked at me, a mixture of disbelief and fear in her eyes. “Ronald?” she whispered, her voice hoarse.

The world seemed to tilt on its axis once more. I couldn’t speak, couldn’t move. All I could do was stare at her, at the face I thought I had lost forever.

How? How could she be alive? Where had she been all this time?

Questions swirled in my mind, a chaotic whirlwind of disbelief and joy. But one thing was certain: Emily was alive. And after a year of despair, hope had finally returned, brighter than any sunrise. The rain hammered against the windows, mirroring the storm raging inside me. It had been six months since the accident. Six months since my wife, Emily, had vanished without a trace. Her car, mangled and abandoned, had been discovered at the edge of the Blackwood Forest, a place where legends of the supernatural mingled with tales of real danger.

The police had searched tirelessly, their efforts joined by a tireless band of volunteers. But all their efforts yielded nothing. No trace of Emily. Just the mangled car, a chilling testament to the tragedy.

Emily’s mother, a woman of unwavering faith, insisted on a funeral. “We need closure,” she had said, her voice thick with grief. And so, we gathered, a small circle of mourners, to say goodbye to the woman I loved. It was a heartbreaking ceremony, a hollow echo of the life we were supposed to build together.

Life without Emily felt surreal. The house, once filled with her laughter and the clatter of her cooking, was now eerily silent. Every corner whispered her name, every familiar scent a haunting reminder of her absence. I spent my days adrift, haunted by the “what ifs,” the “if onlys.”

Then, came that fateful morning. I was at the local cafe, the rain mirroring the grey haze that had settled over my life. As I reached for my coffee, the world tilted. A wave of dizziness washed over me, and I crumpled to the floor, the hot coffee spilling across the table.

Suddenly, a pair of hands gripped my shoulders, steadying me. “Sir, are you alright?” A voice, concerned yet firm. I tried to focus, my vision blurring. Then, I saw her.

Her face, pale and drawn, was inches from mine. And there it was – the unmistakable birthmark on the left side of her forehead, a small crescent moon that I had kissed countless times.

Emily.

My breath hitched. “Emily?” I croaked, my voice hoarse.

Her eyes, wide with a mixture of shock and disbelief, met mine. “John?”

The world seemed to tilt again, this time with a dizzying sense of disbelief. How? How was she alive?

“I… I don’t understand,” I stammered, my voice trembling.

She looked around, her gaze landing on the concerned faces of the cafe patrons. “I… I can’t explain,” she whispered, her voice weak. “I woke up… somewhere. I don’t remember much. I was hurt, disoriented. I… I wandered for days.”

A flood of questions surged through me. Where had she been? What had happened? How had she survived? But before I could ask, she fainted.

As the paramedics rushed her to the hospital, I felt a surge of hope, a flicker of joy that I hadn’t felt in months. Emily was alive. She was here.

The days that followed were a whirlwind of medical tests, cautious questions, and whispered reassurances. Emily slowly regained her strength, her memory returning in fragments. She remembered the accident, the terrifying crash, the darkness that followed. She remembered waking up in a strange place, disoriented and alone, with no memory of how she got there. She had wandered for days, lost and terrified, surviving on berries and rainwater.

The mystery of her disappearance remained unsolved. The police were baffled, the medical professionals amazed. But none of that mattered anymore. All that mattered was that she was alive, that she was back in my arms.

Life after that was a slow, tentative journey back to normalcy. We faced countless questions, whispers, and curious stares. But we faced them together, hand in hand, cherishing every moment. The fear of losing her had cast a long shadow over our lives, but now, we clung to each other, determined to make the most of every precious day.

The accident had changed us, forever altering the course of our lives. But it had also taught us the true meaning of hope, the enduring power of love, and the incredible resilience of the human spirit. And as I looked at Emily, her eyes shining with a newfound appreciation for life, I knew that our love story, though interrupted, was far from over. We would face the future together, stronger than ever before, grateful for the second chance at the life we had almost lost.

I Knew My Future Mother-in-Law Didn’t Like Me, but I Never Imagined the Plans She Had Against Me — Story of the Day

Falling in love felt perfect—until his family turned my life upside down. His mother didn’t think I was good enough and made it her mission to prove it. Secrets, lies, and a test of trust pushed me to my limit. I had to decide if love was enough to overcome everything against us.

If I had known what my future mother-in-law would be like, I would have told Dean to introduce us at the wedding. At least then, I would have been prepared for her icy glares and sharp comments.

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

But not everything in life can be predicted, so I met Martha even before Dean and I got engaged.

Saying she hated me would be an understatement—she saw me as completely unworthy of her son. I was nothing like his ex-wife, Kate.

Yes, Dean had been married before. They divorced after she cheated on him with his cousin, who also happened to be his best friend—or rather, his former best friend.

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

That whole situation was a mess I couldn’t imagine surviving. Thankfully, there were no children involved.

I don’t know how I would have handled that added layer of complexity. Still, the fact that Martha stayed in touch with Kate, despite everything, was enough to make me question myself.

But I was lucky with Dean. He was the best man I had ever met—kind, patient, and fiercely loyal.

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

He loved me, supported me in every way, and I loved him just as deeply. The rest didn’t seem to matter as much.

That evening, we had a rare date night planned. A cozy dinner at a nice restaurant followed by a movie.

We’d both been so busy lately that it felt overdue. Just as I was putting on my earrings, a knock at the door interrupted us. I frowned. We weren’t expecting anyone.

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

“I’ll get it,” I called to Dean, heading to the door. When I opened it, there she was—Martha. Her piercing gaze scanned me up and down.

“Oh, where are you all dressed up for?” Martha’s voice had an edge as sharp as her stare. No hello, no smile, no warmth. Then, as if to twist the knife, she added, “Off to seduce someone else’s husband?”

I took a deep breath, forcing myself to stay calm. “Dean and I are going on a date. Was there something you needed?” I kept my tone steady, though my patience was already wearing thin.

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

“I just wanted to have dinner with my son,” she said, crossing her arms. “Is that so unreasonable?”

“Sorry, but we already have plans for tonight,” I said, standing my ground.

“Plans can be changed. A mother is more important than any plan. You should know that if you were a proper daughter-in-law. Kate always made time for me,” Martha said, her voice rising with every word.

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

I clenched my jaw and looked away, too drained to keep up this argument.

“Who’s at the door?” Dean called from the bedroom.

“Darling, it’s me,” Martha called out sweetly, her tone shifting entirely.

Dean walked into the room, frowning when he saw her. “Mom, why didn’t you call first? We already have plans.”

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

“Yes, Alice told me that,” Martha said, ignoring his concern. “But I haven’t seen you in so long. I thought I’d drop by.”

“I visited you last week,” Dean replied firmly.

“A mother can’t miss her son?” she snapped, throwing her hands in the air.

“She can, but we’ve already made plans,” Dean said. “I’ll come visit you soon.”

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

Martha glared at me as if I’d personally insulted her. “This is all her doing! She’s turning you against me!”

Dean sighed. “Alice hasn’t said a word. Mom, please, no drama.”

Martha turned to me, her eyes blazing. “You’ll pay for this!” Then, she stormed out, slamming the door so hard the walls seemed to shake.

“I’m sorry about that,” Dean said, wrapping his arms around me.

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

“It’s okay. Thank you for standing up for me,” I said softly, kissing him.

A few days after the incident with Martha, I was at home after work, sorting through wedding plans scattered across the table.

The list of tasks felt endless, but I was determined to make everything perfect. Suddenly, the doorbell rang.

For a moment, I thought Dean must have forgotten his keys again. Then I remembered—he’d planned to visit Martha after work. Curious, I walked to the door and opened it.

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

There stood Martha. She brushed past me without a word and walked straight into the house.

“What are you doing here?” I asked, my voice firm.

“How polite of you,” Martha said with a sarcastic smirk. Her tone dripped with disdain.

“You didn’t even say hello,” I pointed out, crossing my arms.

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

“I don’t see the need to greet someone like you,” she shot back, her eyes narrowing.

I clenched my jaw but kept my tone steady. “Why are you here? Dean went to see you after work.”

“Oh, yes,” Martha said, her smirk widening. “It just so happened that Kate dropped by for tea, so I left them alone. They deserve a second chance.”

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

Her words hit me like a slap. “What did you do?” I asked, my voice shaking with shock.

“Let’s be honest, Alice—you’re not right for him,” she said, stepping closer. “His perfect woman is Kate. I know it, Kate knows it, and deep down, Dean knows it too. He just needed a reminder.”

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

I squared my shoulders, refusing to let her see how much she rattled me. “This is crossing every line. I understand you don’t like me, but Dean and I are getting married in two months. I love him, and he loves me. You have no right to decide who’s best for him. And honestly, do you really want your son to go back to a woman who cheated on him with his cousin?”

Martha scoffed, waving off my words. “People make mistakes. Kate still loves Dean and regrets what happened. I’m sure it won’t happen again.”

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

I shook my head, done with the conversation. “I’ve had enough. I’m calling Dean.”

“You can try, but I took his phone,” she said smugly, her arms crossed.

“You’re unbelievable,” I said, turning toward the door. She stepped into my path.

“If you don’t move, I’ll call the police and report that I’m being held against my will,” I replied, pulling out my phone.

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

“You wouldn’t dare,” she hissed, but I was already dialing.

“911, what’s your emergency?” the dispatcher asked.

“Hello—” I started, but Martha lunged forward, snatching the phone from my hands and ending the call.

Fuming, I pushed past her and opened the door. As I walked to my car, she screamed after me, calling me a witch who was ruining her son’s life. I didn’t look back. I had no time for her games.

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

I drove to Martha’s house, planning to walk straight in, but doubt crept in as I reached the door.

I paused, gripping the car keys tightly in my hand. Part of me feared that Dean might choose her over me. After all, he and Kate had spent eight years together.

Instead of going inside, I moved quietly toward the living room window. Inside, I saw Dean and Kate standing face to face in the center of the room.

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

Tears streamed down Kate’s cheeks, falling freely onto her blouse. Dean’s expression, however, was unreadable. He stood still, listening, but his shoulders were tense.

My heart sank at the sight of them together. A voice in my head whispered over and over, louder each time, that he wouldn’t choose me.

Suddenly, Kate stepped closer. Before I could process what was happening, she leaned in and kissed Dean. My heart dropped to my stomach. I froze, unable to look away.

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

To my relief, I saw Dean push her back. He wiped his lips roughly with his sweater sleeve, his face twisting with anger. Without hesitating, he turned and stormed out of the house.

He spotted my car immediately. His eyes scanned the area until they landed on me.

Without a word, he walked straight over and pulled me into a tight hug. The moment his arms wrapped around me, I felt tears on my face I hadn’t realized were there.

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

“They set this all up. I didn’t want to see Kate,” Dean said, his voice firm. His hands rested on my shoulders as he looked into my eyes.

I nodded, feeling a wave of relief. “I saw you push her away,” I said, my voice quiet but steady.

“Because I don’t want anyone but you,” he said. His words felt like a shield around me, strong and certain. I hugged him tightly, not wanting to let go.

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

“Is my mom at our place?” Dean asked after a moment.

“Yes,” I replied.

“Let’s go. I have something to say to her,” he said. His tone left no room for argument.

We drove separately back to our house. My hands trembled on the steering wheel, but I kept going.

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

When we walked in, holding hands, Martha’s face changed. Surprise flashed in her eyes, quickly replaced by irritation.

“You didn’t talk to Kate?” Martha asked, narrowing her eyes.

“I did, though I didn’t want to. Now I’ll talk to you. I’ve had enough of you interfering in my life. I don’t want this to continue. From now on, we’re done,” Dean said, his voice firm.

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

“What?! But I’m your mother! I’m your family!” Martha shouted, her voice rising.

“Alice is my family. You can’t accept that, so I see no other option,” Dean said, squeezing my hand.

“I knew this was all her fault! That witch turned you against me!” Martha screamed. Her words hit like stones, but I stood firm beside Dean.

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

“You did this to yourself. Alice isn’t to blame. Now, please leave our home,” Dean said.

“This is outrageous! How could you do this?” Martha yelled, her face red with anger.

“Mom, please, don’t make me force you out,” Dean said, his tone calm but resolute.

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

Martha huffed, glaring at both of us. Then she stormed out, slamming the door behind her.

“Are you sure this was the right decision?” I asked, my voice soft.

“When it comes to you and our family, I never have any doubts,” Dean said. His words brought a smile to my face, and I kissed him, knowing we were stronger together.

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

Tell us what you think about this story and share it with your friends. It might inspire them and brighten their day.

If you enjoyed this story, read this one: Meeting my fiancé’s parents should have been exciting, but nothing prepared me for the tension and judgment that followed. Between the quiet stares, sharp words, and unexpected secrets, the evening turned into a whirlwind I’ll never forget.

This piece is inspired by stories from the everyday lives of our readers and written by a professional writer. Any resemblance to actual names or locations is purely coincidental. All images are for illustration purposes only. Share your story with us; maybe it will change someone’s life. 

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