One day I was searching for some documents, and when I finally found them, my eyes landed on the papers related to our flat. Something in them both surprised and deeply unsettled me, because

My wife Emilys parents gave us a truly generous wedding presenta flat! They formally handed us the keys and told us we were the owners. The place was in a brand new development and they bought it as an unfinished shell. My mother-in-law remarked that since theyd provided the flat, my parents ought to help us with the renovations. My folks had already given us a substantial sum as a gift before the wedding, but they agreed to pitch in with the renovations as well.
After the wedding, we decided to crack on with the renovation right away. Since my dads a builder, he sorted out all the materials, and I pitched in as an extra pair of hands. Sometimes Emily came round to help out too.
Occasionally, my father-in-law would lend a hand. To save some cash, we decided not to rent a place until the renovation was finished, so we moved in with Emilys parents for a bit.
One day, I was rifling through some paperwork searching for a document, when my eyes landed on the flats papers. Something about them caught my attention and, to my shock and irritation, I realised my mother-in-law was the legal owner!
That evening, I was meant to go buy bathroom fittings with Dad, but I asked if we could push it back a day. I told him what Id discovered and that I needed to talk to Emilys family about it.
Why is your mum down as the owner of our flat? I asked bluntly once everyone was back home. Why not Emily?
Oh, dont be childish, my mother-in-law replied. Its to protect our Emily, of course.
What do you mean?
Well, say you divorced her, you could try to take half the flat!
Your flat? Is it fair for me and Dad to be pouring so much time and money into renovations when were not even sure itll be ours in the end? And why the assumption that were heading for divorce? Weve only just tied the knot!
Mum, I asked you to put it under my name, Emily muttered.
So you knew about this all along?
Its not what you think I did know, but I told Mum it should go under my name!
Oh Emily, what a brilliant way to start off married life! With lies and secrets!
Its been a few days since I moved back in with my parents. Now I just feel lost. Emilys reaching out to me, but I need time to think. I honestly never expected this kind of underhandedness from her lot, though maybe thats just what parents do…
What am I supposed to do now?
If theres one thing Ive learnt, its that honesty and trust need to go both ways in a marriage. No home, however generous a gift, is worth building on hidden foundations.