Before I married Alex, I knew he had a formidable sister-in-law, Olivia. He’d always warned me, "Whatever you do, don't cross Olivia." Our first Christmas at his parents' house after we got married, I was stuck in the kitchen all day, preparing a holiday feast for over a dozen people. Meanwhile, the rest of Alex’s family was out in the living room, munching on the fruit I’d sliced, chatting away as if they didn't have a care in the world. When dinner was finally on the table, Alex’s older brother, David, and Olivia strolled in, fashionably late. Just as I was about to sit down, I realized there wasn't a spot for me at the table. Olivia let out a dismissive laugh, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "Oh, I've heard so much about our dear new sister-in-law, Riley," she drawled. "So virtuous, so filial, and so easy to get along with." She paused, her gaze sweeping over the spread. "It's just a shame about the food... it's not quite up to par." Anger flared within me. I was ready to fire back, but then she turned to Martha, Alex’s mom. "Next time, Martha, you should stick to cooking. Your food is always so much better…" 1 Martha’s face turned green. I stood there, momentarily bewildered by the sudden shift in atmosphere. The tension grew thicker, but Olivia just calmly sipped her drink, completely unfazed. Finally, Alex’s dad, Robert, nudged Martha’s arm. Martha pursed her lips. "Riley's from down south," she announced, "She said she wanted to cook us some southern dishes to try." I raised an eyebrow. My opinion of Martha dipped a few notches. I hadn't said anything of the sort since I walked in the door. Alex and I were newlyweds, celebrating our first Christmas with his family. My mom always told me to be empathetic, to put myself in others' shoes. Even though everyone said in-law relationships were complicated, I was willing to make an effort for Alex’s sake. You treat people well, and they’ll treat you well back, right? So, I’d simply asked if they needed any help. But to my surprise, Martha had dumped every single kitchen chore on me. She'd claim her back hurt, or she needed to pick up Chloe and her family, who were visiting for the holidays. Alex and I had agreed to always support each other, but Martha constantly pulled him into conversations. After a few times, Alex seemed to forget I was stuck slaving away by myself. I spent the entire day in the kitchen: peeling vegetables, chopping, frying fish, stewing meat, even making some elaborate holiday pastries. With every task, I swore to myself I wouldn't come back next year. And after all that, they didn't even save me a seat at the dinner table! Just as I was contemplating throwing in the towel and walking out, Olivia’s voice cut through the air, raised slightly. "Doesn't Riley have a seat? Why is she standing there? It almost looks like Martha is deliberately picking on her." Her words pierced everyone’s ears like needles. Everyone froze, exchanging uneasy glances. Martha’s face cycled through several shades of red. Alex finally reacted, quickly getting up to pull a stool beside him. "Honey, come sit next to me." I stared at the cheap blue plastic stool. A bitter taste filled my mouth. Everyone else had proper chairs; I was the only one on a flimsy stool. Alex came to my side, wrapping an arm around my shoulder, and whispered, "I'm so sorry, babe. You shouldn't have to put up with this. Take my seat." Looking at the man I loved, I swallowed the sting of hurt. A small hiccup wouldn't ruin everyone's holiday mood. The rest of Alex's family ate merrily, but Olivia remained detached, as if it had nothing to do with her. Then, Martha cleared her throat. She pulled a crisp envelope from her pocket and offered it to me. "Riley, since it's your first Christmas with us, this is a small token from Robert and me. Don't think it's too little." She added, "It's a family tradition, though, that daughters-in-law don't get holiday money after this. Once you and Alex have a baby, then we'll give it to the grandchild, okay?" She finished with a pointed glance at Olivia. "Like your sister-in-law here, she hasn't gotten any holiday money for years." The envelope was pushed towards me. It should have been a happy moment, but her words felt like a punch to the gut. As I hesitated, wondering whether to take it, Olivia let out a snort. "Martha, are you trying to fool an idiot here?" 2 David lightly nudged Olivia’s elbow. Olivia shot him a side glance but continued, "Martha, if you don't want to give it, just don't. Don't use me as an excuse." My heart fluttered, and the hand I’d extended to take the envelope froze. Martha finally snapped. She slapped the envelope down on the table. "What, are you jealous? My younger daughter-in-law is sensible; she knows how to care for her parents-in-law." She glared at Olivia. "I'm willing to give it! All you do when you come home is eat and lounge around, you don't lift a finger. Isn't it right that I don't give you anything?" Martha's emotions were clearly spiraling, her long-held resentment towards Olivia pouring out. Olivia shrugged indifferently, saying nothing more. I forced an awkward smile. "Martha, the money isn't necessary. You're Alex's mom; it's only right that I help you." As I said it, I caught a glimpse of Olivia letting out a silent sigh in my peripheral vision. Martha beamed, her face beaming with delight, and praised me as a wonderful daughter-in-law, all while slipping the thin envelope back into her pocket. Just then, Chloe, Alex’s younger sister, who’d been silently eating, suddenly cried out, "Why is there ginger in this dish?!" She spat out the mouthful of food onto the table. "Didn't I say no ginger? I hate ginger!" She whined, "Mom, didn't you tell Riley?" Martha reflexively said, "I did! Who knows why she put it in again." Chloe’s eyes landed on me. I quickly waved my hands. "I didn't know! Martha didn't say…" My voice trailed off as Alex squeezed my arm, signaling me to stay silent. Martha’s face instantly darkened. "I didn't say? I clearly told you Chloe doesn't eat ginger, not to put it in. How could you forget?" My chest tightened. I wanted Alex to say something, to defend me. But he only shook his head. Chloe slammed her chopsticks on the table. "I'm not eating! How can anyone eat this? It's Christmas, and I can't even get a decent meal!" Martha rushed to appease her, stroking Chloe’s head. "Don't be mad, don't be mad. You can't be upset on Christmas. Riley, make a couple more dishes without ginger. Don't be angry." She turned to me. "Riley, go make a few more dishes. This time, absolutely no ginger!" Martha commanded me as if it were the most natural thing in the world. I was too stunned to speak. Alex’s sister was two years younger than me but had married two years earlier. Since coming home for the holidays, she’d barely touched the ground; his parents practically spoon-fed her. And now, this newly married daughter-in-law was being ordered to cook for her again? I'd never been indulged like this in my own home! Seeing me remain seated, Martha prompted, "Go on! Riley, what are you waiting for?" Alex leaned close to my ear and whispered, "Maybe you should just make two more. Chloe really doesn't eat ginger." But it wasn't about her not eating ginger! I frowned, staring at Alex. I didn’t understand what he was doing, what this was all about. Was he really letting them bully me, just like Olivia implied? Alex tugged at me, looking distressed. "Please, babe, just do it for me, okay?" I remembered my mom's words: Empathy. Give a little first, and they’ll see your goodness. The situation was rapidly spiraling out of control. Chloe was on the verge of tears, and Alex was practically pleading with me. I swallowed the surge of humiliation and headed back to the kitchen to stir-fry two more dishes. 3 When the dishes were on the table, Chloe poked at them with her chopsticks. "Who eats this stuff on Christmas? Riley, are you doing this on purpose to spite me?" she whined. "I finally come home for the holidays, and I can't even get a single meat dish!" She began to cry, dropping her chopsticks. "Is it true what they say? That once you're married, you're just... tossed aside?" Martha immediately comforted her. "Of course not, darling, you'll always be our little princess. Your dad, David, and Alex would never let you suffer." Then she turned to me. "Riley, go make some sweet and sour ribs. Chloe loves those." I finally snapped. I pointed at the braised ribs already on the table. "There are ribs right here. No ginger." Martha paused, seemingly taken aback by my defiance. She tilted her head, scrutinizing me. "Are you deaf? Braised and sweet and sour are completely different! I told you to make sweet and sour ribs, so just do it. Why all the chatter?" In just two sentences, Martha had transformed. The warm, praising mother-in-law of moments ago seemed to vanish. I couldn't believe my ears. I'd never been spoken to with such words, in such a tone, in my entire life! My eyes, blazing with fury, darted to Alex. He squeezed my hand reassuringly, then spoke up. "Mom, Riley already made a ginger-free dish, and there are ribs here. It's Christmas; let's just eat." I thought he'd diffuse the situation. Instead, it was like he'd struck a raw nerve with Martha. She roared, "You useless good-for-nothing! What, are you going to be like your brother, forgetting your mother and sister the moment you get a wife?" She gestured at me. "Are you uniting with an outsider to bully your own sister? Is that how a brother acts?" Alex stammered, "No, I'm not! I didn't!" His voice was low, laced with a hint of compromise. My heart sank. Sure enough, he looked at me pleadingly. "Babe… maybe you should just…" "Alex, do you even hear yourself?" I asked coldly. "What did we promise each other back home?" United. Always supporting each other. That was Alex’s promise to me first. I'd felt so touched at the time. Everyone said in-law tension directly depended on the husband's role. I’d believed that with Alex mediating and my sincere effort, we’d have a harmonious family life. I'd come here so confident. But reality? Seeing Alex’s spineless reaction, I realized his promise was absolute nonsense. As my face grew darker, Alex knew I was furious. But Martha continued to fan the flames. "Riley, how dare you speak to my son like that? So what if I ask you to make a few dishes for Chloe? Why are you being so dramatic? And giving your husband attitude? Alex said your parents were educated, but I don't see much sign of good upbringing in you!" She leaned forward, her voice sharp. "Didn't your parents teach you to be docile, sensible, and obedient when you married into a family?" Alex tried to intervene. "Mom, stop talking." I stood up, my chest tight with rage. "How dare you talk about my parents like that!" 4 I glared at Martha, my hands clenched into fists. Martha, however, was emboldened. "What are you doing? Why are you standing up? Who are you trying to scare?" she sneered. "Let me tell you, this is my house, and everyone here is a Miller! If my daughter wants something, you'll make it for her. That's how we do things in this family. What about your parents? Did I say anything wrong?" I gasped for air, my chest heaving. Alex put a hand on my arm. "Riley, honey, just calm down. Don't say anything else." I suddenly laughed, a short, bitter sound. "Me calm down? Alex, are you deaf? For this long, who really needs to calm down? Can't you tell?" "ENOUGH!" Alex suddenly roared, making me freeze. "That's my mom! She raised me! So what if she says a few things?" He continued, his voice rising, "And besides, you've already made so many dishes. What's the big deal about making sweet and sour ribs for my sister too? You're a sister-in-law now, how can you be so petty? You weren't like this before!" Alex's stream of complaints left me stunned. I couldn't comprehend how the loving, respectful husband I knew had suddenly changed. I violently shook off his hand, sending the dishes in front of me crashing to the floor, shattering into pieces. Robert, Alex's father, who had been silent until now, finally spoke up. "Alex, this is the wife you chose?" He pointed at me. "Such a small thing, and she's causing such a fuss. How did you pick a woman like this? You know, back in my day," he scoffed, gesturing at me, "someone like that wouldn't even step foot in a Miller home!" He threw his wine glass onto the floor. Shards of glass flew up, one cutting my hand. Tears instantly welled in my eyes. I suddenly realized my mom was wrong. Some people just don't deserve empathy. Alex saw my hand bleeding, and a flicker of hesitation crossed his eyes. But Martha's voice cut through the air. "She's throwing a fit about serving her in-laws and her sister-in-law? If word gets out, everyone will laugh at our family!" She shook her head in disgust. "Robert and I put all our effort into putting Alex through college, and he ends up marrying such an ill-mannered wife. It's a disgrace, an utter embarrassment!" Alex's parents continued their tirade, one after another. His face grew grim, and when he looked at me again, all warmth had vanished. He grabbed my wrist. "Riley, you're causing a scene on Christmas. This is incredibly disrespectful." His grip tightened. "Now, apologize to my parents and my sister!" I stared at Alex in disbelief. A cold dread deepened in my heart. He couldn't see my injury, couldn't see my tears of humiliation. He couldn't see me, exhausted and half-dead, cooking for his whole family. He certainly couldn't see them ganging up on me. In fact, he'd joined them. My voice trembled. "Say that again?" Alex gritted his teeth. "Apologize to my family!" Rage twisted into a bitter laugh. I yanked my hand free from Alex's grasp. Then, with my other hand, I slapped him hard across the face! The sharp crack echoed through the silent room. "Apologize for what?!" After a moment of dead silence, a few claps broke the stillness. Olivia, who had been quietly observing, stood up and walked towards me. Her voice was laced with delight and excitement as she put an arm around my shoulder. "I thought you were a pushover, someone who'd just let herself be walked all over. Turns out, you've got some fire in you. I like it." Her cold gaze swept over Alex’s family. She braced her hands on the edge of the dining table. "Riley, Martha was right about one thing: everyone here is a Miller. The outsiders? That's just you and me. So now, let's give the Millers a proper Christmas greeting!"
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