When my mother-in-law Denise showed up on my birthday with a giant box and a too-sweet smile, I should’ve known trouble was coming. “Happy birthday, Teresa!” she sang as two delivery men wheeled in a brand-new stainless steel refrigerator. It was beautiful—far beyond anything we could afford, especially with my mother’s hospital bills draining our savings. I was stunned, even touched… until she handed me an envelope and casually said,

“Just the warranty papers.” Inside was a payment plan agreement—$250 a month for 12 months. Denise had paid $50. The rest? My problem. When I confronted her, she brushed it off. “It’s an investment in your home,”