When I married my husband, I fully accepted that he had a son from a previous relationship. But I never imagined his unemployed 21-year-old would suddenly move into our home and start acting like he owned the place. Benny arrived saying he needed “a few days” to sort himself out after college, but those days turned into weeks. He slept all day, made no effort to find work, and treated the house like a free hotel stocked with unlimited food, Wi-Fi, and laundry service.

I kept waiting for him to show initiative, but nothing changed. One morning, after walking past another pile of his dirty laundry, I finally snapped. I told him clearly, “Either get a job or move out.” Instead of taking it seriously, he just smiled—a cold, smug smile that told me he thought I had no authority in my own home. Later, I learned he’d been telling relatives that I didn’t treat him well and was trying to kick him out unfairly.

That lie felt like a punch to the gut. I had cooked for him, welcomed him, and tried to help him get on his feet. When I confronted him about spreading rumors, he packed his things and walked out without a word. To make matters worse, my husband blamed me, saying I’d made his son feel unwelcome and insisting Benny had every right to stay as long as he wanted.

My husband stormed out and hasn’t come home or contacted me for two days. Now I’m left wondering: was I really too harsh for expecting a 21-year-old adult to contribute or at least show responsibility? Or am I being unfairly painted as the villain by a young man who wanted all the benefits of living here without any accountability?