My Daughters In-Laws Took Almost All Money I Gave My Kid for Her Wedding, Making Her Look like a Pauper, So I Struck Back

Hazel is furious when she discovers her daughters wedding was ruined by selfish in-laws who stole the money she had saved. Determined to unmask their deceit and seek justice, Hazel embarks on a relentless quest to gather irrefutable evidence. But can this resolute mother unveil the truth and reclaim her daughters shattered dreams?

“I cant believe this,” I muttered, staring at my laptop screen.

An elderly woman using a laptop | Source: Pexels

The kitchen around me in my Australian home felt colder as I looked at the photos of Jinnys wedding.

I had always imagined her big day to be a grand affair, but what I saw broke my heart.

A bride and groom leaning towards each other as guests shower them with petals | Source: Unsplash

Jinnys wedding was held in a shabby café with plastic tables, and she wore a tacky dress that didnt suit her at all.

I buried my face in my palms, feeling a mix of anger and sadness. How could this happen?

A sad bride | Source: Midjourney

I had saved up so much money to give Jinny a beautiful wedding. This was not what I had planned for her.

Suddenly, my phone buzzed on the table, and I picked it up, seeing a message from an old friend in the States. I needed to talk to someone, so I called her.

A pair of hands holding a cellphone | Source: Unsplash

“Hello, Hazel! How are you feeling?” she asked.

“Im not great, Jane,” I replied. “I just saw the pictures from Jinnys wedding, and its awful. They had it in a rundown café, and she wore this horrible dress. I gave them money for a beautiful wedding, Jane. What happened?”

A stressed woman on a phone call | Source: Pexels

There was a pause on the other end. “Hazel, I heard something about Diane and Charles. They might have used the money for home repairs and their car.”

My heart sank even further. “What? They took Jinnys wedding money for themselves? How could they?”

A sad-looking woman on a phone call | Source: Midjourney

“I dont know, Hazel, but you need to find out the truth. Maybe talk to Jinny?”

“I will, Jane. I cant let this go. I need to recover and get there. I have to fix this mess for Jinny.”

An older woman on a phone call at home | Source: Midjourney

After hanging up, I closed the laptop and took a deep breath. I had to focus on getting better. I needed to be there for my daughter, to make things right.

And so, every day became a step towards recovery.

I followed my doctors advice to the letter, took my medications on time, and rested as much as I could.

An older woman sitting at the table, looking at a set of medication | Source: Pexels

I even started doing light exercises to regain my strength.

Days turned into weeks, and my health gradually improved. The determination to help Jinny gave me the strength I needed.

One day, I called my travel agent and booked a flight to the US, despite the lingering doubts and fears.

An airplane | Source: Unsplash

“You can do this, Hazel,” I whispered to myself as I packed my suitcase. “For Jinny.”

I knew I had to be strong for my girl.

An unpacked suitcase | Source: Unsplash

When I finally stood at her doorstep, my heart raced.

I didnt tell her I was coming, wanting to surprise her. I took a deep breath and knocked on the door.

When Jinny opened the door, her eyes widened in disbelief. “Mom?” she whispered, tears filling her eyes.

A surprised young woman | Source: Midjourney

“Jinny, my sweet girl,” I said, pulling her into a tight embrace. I could feel her trembling, a mix of joy and relief washing over her. “Im here, and Im not going anywhere until we fix this,” I said.

We stepped inside, and I could see the weight of sadness in her eyes.

The house was tidy, but there was a strange heaviness in the air.

A seating area at the corner of a house | Source: Pexels

We sat on the couch, and I took her hands in mine.

“Jinny, Im so sorry for everything youve been through,” I began. “I know its been hard since your fathers passing, and I hate that I couldnt be there for your wedding. But Im here now, and I promise you, were going to make things right.”

Two women chatting at home | Source: Midjourney

She looked at me with sad eyes. “Mom, I didnt know what to do. Nathans parents took the money, and I couldnt confront them. They convinced me to transfer the wedding funds to their account, saying it was meant for paying vendors directly. And Nathan… he doesnt know anything. He still feels guilty that he hasnt been able to give us the wedding we dreamed of.”

I squeezed her hands reassuringly. “Youre not alone anymore, Jinny. Ill help you. Well figure this out together.”

Two people holding hands | Source: Unsplash

Jinny nodded, wiping away her tears. “Thank you, Mom. Ive missed you so much.”

“Ive missed you too, sweetheart. More than you can imagine,” I replied, feeling my own tears threaten to spill over. “But we need to be strong now. We cant let them take advantage of you any longer.”

A sad elderly woman | Source: Midjourney

She nodded again. “Im sorry for putting you through this. I dont know how to tell Nathan about his parents. He loves them.”

“Well take it one step at a time,” I said, giving her a reassuring smile. “Dont worry now that Im here.”

Jinny took a deep breath and smiled. “Okay, Mom. With you here, I feel like I can do this.”

A sad-looking young woman | Source: Midjourney

“Thats my girl,” I said, hugging her tightly. “Well get through this together. I promise.”

The next day, I found myself sitting in a private investigators office with my lawyer, Madison.

“Thank you both for meeting with me,” I said.

A woman talking to two other people in a room | Source: Midjourney

“I need your help to fix the mess Diane and Charles have made of my daughters wedding. They took the money I saved for her and used it for their own needs. My daughters a bit shy, and she couldnt confront them. They took advantage of it.”

Lucas nodded. “Well get to the bottom of this, Hazel. Tell us everything you know.”

A private investigator | Source: Pexels

I detailed the situation, from the tacky wedding photos to the heartache in Jinnys eyes. Madison took notes while Lucas listened intently. When I finished, he leaned forward.

“Sounds like Diane and Charles have a history of shady dealings,” Lucas said. “Ill start digging into their past. It wont take long to uncover the truth.”

A man lost in his thoughts | Source: Pexels

And true to his word, within days, Lucas had a stack of evidence.

“Hazel, you were right,” he said when we met in his office. “Diane and Charles have been involved in multiple scams. Theyve been taking advantage of people for years.”

A stack of documents | Source: Pexels

He laid out the documents showing their deceitful actions, from falsified loans to embezzlement.

“Thank you, Lucas,” I said. “This is exactly what we need.”

Madison, who had been reviewing the evidence, looked up. “Hazel, with this information, we can take legal action. But first, I suggest confronting them directly. Sometimes, the threat of exposure is enough to make people come clean.”

A woman working at her office desk | Source: Pexels

I nodded. “I agree. I want to confront them, but I want to do it right. Lets plan a surprise family meeting at a fancy restaurant. They wont see it coming, and it will give us the upper hand.”

Lucas smiled. “I like the way you think. Lets set it up.”

A serious-looking man wearing a coat and hat | Source: Pexels

With Madisons help, we arranged the meeting. The plan was simple. Diane and Charles wouldnt suspect a thing until it was too late. We booked a private room at an upscale restaurant, ensuring privacy for the confrontation.

On D-day, I arrived at the restaurant early. I set up the projector with all the evidence Lucas had gathered. Everything was ready. Now, we just had to wait.

A projector screen in a restaurant | Source: Midjourney

Jinny, Nathan, Diane, and Charles arrived shortly after, exchanging pleasantries and completely unaware of what was coming.

“Thank you all for coming,” I began, trying to keep my voice steady. “I have something important to share.”

A smiling older woman | Source: Pexels

I clicked the remote, and the first slide appeared on the screen. “This is the evidence weve gathered about the money you took from Jinnys wedding fund,” I said, looking directly at Diane and Charles.

Their faces turned from smug to horrified as I continued. “You used that money for your home repairs and car. But it doesnt stop there. Youve been involved in multiple scams, taking advantage of people for years.”

A shocked couple | Source: Midjourney

Nathans face flushed with anger and embarrassment. “Is this true?” he demanded, looking at his parents.

Diane stammered, “We… we can explain.”

But I didnt let them. “Theres no explanation for this. Youve hurt my daughter, and its time you faced the consequences.”

A stern-looking woman | Source: Midjourney

“Moms right,” Jinny said firmly. “I deserve better.”

Nathan turned to Jinny, his expression softening. “Im so sorry, Jinny. I had no idea about all this. I–I cant believe they stole money from you, and these scams… Im so sorry you had to deal with all this.”

Read alsoOn Wedding Day, Groom Learns Wife Deleted His Foster Mom’s Name from Guest List – Story of the DayMy Fiancée Wore a Black Dress to Our Wedding – When I Found Out Her Reason, My Life Was Never the SameOur Youngest Granddaughter Accused Us of Choosing a Disgusting Hotel as a Gift for Her Honeymoon — Our Lesson to Her Was Priceless

“Its okay, Nathan,” Jinny said, looking at him. “Now we know the truth, and we can move forward. Im sorry that things have come to this.”

A couple looking into each others eyes | Source: Pexels

Nathan, Jinny, and I were the first to stand up, ready to leave the restaurant. Nathans hurt was evident, and I knew he needed some time to process everything. We gathered our things, giving Diane and Charles one last, pointed look before heading out.

As we walked out of the restaurant, I saw Evelyn, a reporter I had contacted beforehand. We had known each other for years, but that day, she was there in her professional capacity, her camera crew ready.

A reporter | Source: Pexels

“Hazel, can you tell us what happened in there?” Evelyn asked, holding out a microphone.

“Diane and Charles, my daughters in-laws, stole money meant for my daughters wedding and used it for their own needs,” I said. “Theyve been involved in numerous scams, and its time the world knew.”

An older woman talking to a reporter | Source: Midjourney

The camera crew filmed as I detailed the evidence Lucas had uncovered. Jinny stood beside me, her hand in mine, looking stronger than ever.

Evelyn nodded, listening intently. “This story will reach a lot of people, Hazel. Thank you for your bravery.”

A female reporter | Source: Pexels

And the story went viral overnight. The public backlash was immediate and fierce. Diane and Charles faced both social and legal repercussions, losing their home and being forced to repay the stolen money.

With the money returned, Jinny and I set about planning a new, beautiful wedding. This time, everything was perfect. I was there to see her walk down the aisle, surrounded by people who genuinely cared about her.

A newly married couple kissing | Source: Pexels

Yes, it was hard for Nathan, but hes been trying his best to heal.

Now you know that a mother can do anything for her child. What would you have done?

If you enjoyed this story, heres another one: Margaret grows suspicious of Charlottes sudden eagerness to babysit her daughter every weekend. One day, she secretly follows Charlotte and is left furious and shocked by what she discovers.

A woman babysitting | Source: Pexels

This work is inspired by real events and people, but it has been fictionalized for creative purposes. Names, characters, and details have been changed to protect privacy and enhance the narrative. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental and not intended by the author.

The author and publisher make no claims to the accuracy of events or the portrayal of characters and are not liable for any misinterpretation. This story is provided “as is,” and any opinions expressed are those of the characters and do not reflect the views of the author or publisher.

ShareAdvertisement