The mother-in-law was eagerly waiting for her grandfather to finally pass away. She hoped to inherit his flat, but the old man had a secret plan all along.

I looked after my husbands grandfather for ten years straight. We lived together with our children in a rented flat in Birmingham. My husbands sister, Margaret, was living in Grandads flat at that time. Nobody else was really there for him not his daughter-in-law, nor his grandchildren. Things had never worked out well for me I hadnt finished university because I got pregnant young, and I never managed to make a career for myself.

Each day blurred into the next, as I juggled caring for Grandad with raising our children.

My husband couldnt stand the constant strain at home and would often head out on drinking binges. No other woman was interested in him, what with the children and no house of his own, so he always ended up coming home to me. I forgave him, though I cant say I loved him anymore. It was all just so hed give us money to help with the children and Grandad. Margaret rarely visited us and, when she did, it was usually for one of two reasons: either to ask Grandad for a bit of his pension, or to moan about her own money troubles. Though Id hardly say she and her lot were struggling living rent-free meant they could even afford holidays abroad.

Five years ago, Grandad left me his flat: Youve become dearer to me than anyone else in my family. My grandson is useless hed only hand the place over to his mother or sister. At least let your kids, my great-grandchildren, live here instead. Its a little way to thank you for everything youve done, so that you dont curse me later for stealing your life away.

None of the family knew about this. But when Grandads health started failing, suddenly both his daughter and granddaughter were round almost daily, pretending to care, now theyd figured out what was coming. But Grandad wasnt stupid he saw straight through them.

When he died, everyone pounced on the inheritance. My mother-in-law and Margaret convinced my husband to give up his claim on the flat, arguing that Margaret already lived there. He agreed, but they still didnt know about the will.

The very next day, my husband started packing his bags and told me hed found another woman that hed only stayed with me for Grandads sake. He left, and I felt an enormous weight fall away from me. Once the family found out about the will, the real trouble kicked off, threats flying every which way.

Listen here, they told me, theres no way youre keeping that flat! I dont care what you did to look after Grandad or how you managed to get him to leave it to you, but youll never get away with this. Well prove youre a con artist in court. Leave my son alone hes finally got himself a lovely new girlfriend.

You know, thats when it hit me I could finally tell all of them, in so many words, to sling their hooks for good. So I did.

Their words didnt touch me at all. Im sure now that Ill build a decent life for myself. Ive landed a job, me and the kids finally have our own home, and best of all, I have no ties left to that toxic family.

The lesson? Sometimes you give and give, thinking its all for someone else, but in the end, you find youve been giving yourself a chance at peace all along. Ill never let anyone make me feel small for simply doing whats right.