"Love Conquers All but Home Woes"
"Grace, stop watching TV and bring me the property deed. Were going to change the name on it to mine," Laura Johnsons voice rang out, filled with an air of entitlement.
Grace looked up at Laura, her face pale with displeasure. She couldnt believe Laura was trying to take over the house!
This house was bought by her and Henry Lee; Henry paid the down payment, and she paid off the mortgage, just finished last month.
Grace was about to flare up, but then she remembered what Henry had told her, and her tone softened. After all, he was caught in the middle between her and Laura.
"Mom, this house was bought by Henry and me!"
"Henrys is as good as mine. Why are you being so stingy?"
Laura didnt care about what Grace had to say and didnt wait for her to move. She turned and headed towards the master bedroom, ready to take matters into her own hands.
Grace got up, her six-month pregnant belly making her movements a bit cumbersome. By the time she reached the master bedroom, the property deed was already in Lauras hands.
"Mom, Henry and I have worked so hard for this house. Why should we change it to your name just because you say so?"
Grace snatched the deed back, frowning in retort.
"Grace, do you even respect me as your mother-in-law? Its just a name change, not like were throwing you out!"
Laura said, reaching for the deed hidden behind Graces back and pushing her towards the door.
Grace stumbled but managed to catch herself against the wall, avoiding a blow to her stomach.
Her heart racing, Grace took a moment to calm down, and then anger surged through her.
She was carrying their grandchild, after all. Didnt Laura worry about the consequences of pushing her like that?!
"This name will not be changed to yours!"
Grace stood her ground, snatched the deed back from Laura, and sat back down on the couch.
It was agreed before marriage that Laura wouldnt live with them, but the day after their wedding, she moved in with her daughter-in-law, Jessica Lee, without contributing a cent, relying on her and Henry to support them.
With Lauras nagging in her ears, Grace felt more and more aggrieved.
"Today, you will change the name with me!"
Laura insisted, about to snatch the deed again.
Grace couldnt believe how shameless Laura was. Even with her usually calm temperament, she felt the urge to curse.
The sound of the door opening made both of them freeze.
Before Grace could speak, she saw Laura, looking utterly wronged, walking towards Henry Lee.
"Oh dear, my son, youre finally home. If you hadnt come back, Im afraid your sister and I would have been kicked out by her! Henry, youve married a wonderful wife!"
Lauras sarcastic words made even Graces calm temperament flare up: "Whos kicking who out? The one wanting to change the name is you..."
As she spoke, Graces eyes welled up with tears, and they began to fall.
Henry Lees face also looked a bit off, and he looked at the embarrassed Laura beside him and frowned. "Mom, Grace isnt that kind of person. And why do we suddenly want to change the name?"
Henrys defense gave Grace some comfort, and Lauras face didnt look so good.
"Im doing this for your own good! Youre my son; I wouldnt harm you. Its some people who hold onto this house tightly, probably with ill intentions!"
Laura changed from her previous aggressive demeanor to crying, and in the end, she didnt forget to cast a shadow over Grace, making her gnash her teeth in anger.
She looked at the silent Henry and said, "Henry, this house was bought by both of us, and I cant decide alone. What should we do? You give a word!"