My Husband Abandoned Me, Then His Mother Contacted Me With a Strange Offer

Illness, loss, and betrayal have a way of exposing the strength or weakness of our relationships. But even in our darkest moments, unexpected sources of kindness can appear, offering light when we least expect it. One reader, Elaine, wrote to us with a heartbreaking story.

Here’s her letter:

Dear Bright Side,

I never thought I’d be writing for advice, but here I am, completely lost and unsure what to do.

My husband left me after we found out I had a rare disease. It was like something out of a nightmare. One day, we were making plans for the future, and the next he was packing his bags, saying he couldn’t “handle the weight of it all.”

I begged him to stay. I was scared. But he walked away without looking back. I was weak, alone, and in a lot of debt. The medical bills were already piling up, and without his income, I didn’t even know how I’d pay rent.

He even took my dog. And he had the nerve to say it was for “practical reasons” since he believes I couldn’t take care of her properly. I was furious; we both knew she was mine. Not to mention, she was all I had left.

When I thought things couldn’t get any worse, I got a shocking call from my mother-in-law, who told me that he is not at all the man she raised. She was horrified and heartbroken and kept crying uncontrollably.

To my surprise, she offered to help. Both financially and emotionally. Even suggested I come live with her while I recovered.

I don’t know what to do. She has always been kind to me, and I believe she truly feels ashamed of what her son has done. But accepting her help feels like holding onto this family that has already turned its back on me. I don’t want anything to do with her son anymore.

Am I being too proud? Or is it healthier to cut ties completely and work hard on my own? Please, please, please help me decide.

Sincerely,
Elaine

Elaine, thank you for your vulnerability and strength in writing this. You’ve survived a betrayal few could imagine, and the fact that you’re still standing shows how resilient you are. Here’s our advice on how to move forward.

Don’t reject goodness out of pain.

Your mother-in-law’s love and support may feel complicated, but it’s not tainted just because her son failed you. Her actions are her own, even if motivated by remorse. Her empathy and genuine concern for your well-being are really something to be appreciated. Accepting help from her doesn’t mean you’re forgiving him; it means you’re letting someone care for you when you need it most.

Healing requires stability, not isolation.

Recovering from illness and heartbreak is hard enough without the weight of financial stress and loneliness. You don’t have to prove your independence right now. Leaning on someone temporarily, especially someone offering it freely and with no strings attached, is not weakness. It’s wisdom!

You can let go of the man, not the support.

It’s okay to sever ties with your ex while still holding onto relationships that were real and kind. If your connection with his mother gave you comfort and strength before, it can still serve you now, without confusing the boundaries you’ve set. You’re not clinging to the past, you’re choosing something that is still good, safe, and, for all intents and purposes, free.

It’s also ok to say no, but do it with grace.

If accepting her help doesn’t feel right to you, that’s completely valid. After all you’ve been through, you’re within your rights to choose what the next step in your healing journey should be. You’re allowed to protect your peace, even from well-meaning people.

But if you choose to decline her support, do so with honesty and kindness. A gentle, clear conversation will preserve the respect between you and give her the closure she may need as well.

Just so you know, most people don’t have such a great relationship with their spouse’s family. In fact, these next stories of dramatic in-laws will confirm just that.