Husband went on a business trip, wife called to urge him to come back to take care of grandmother in the hospital so she could do this unbelievable act

Due to a past selfish decision regarding family responsibilities, I now find myself grappling with the consequences as my wife gives me a dose of my own medicine.

Financially Independent but Emotionally Disconnected

My wife and I both earn high incomes, and since we married, we’ve kept our finances separate. Each month, we contribute $500 into a shared fund for household expenses, meticulously recording every transaction.

I’m not sure if my wife sends money to her parents, but I give my mom $250 monthly to ensure her comfort. This financial clarity has helped us avoid money-related arguments.

A Selfish Mistake

Two years ago, I lost my job. Around the same time, my father-in-law fell seriously ill and needed round-the-clock care. My wife asked if I could take a month off to help care for him so she could focus on work. Her siblings were already taking turns looking after him, and she didn’t want to hire outside help.

Despite her pleading, I coldly responded:

“Everyone should take care of their own parents. If your dad is unwell, you should handle it. I’m not involved. When my mom gets sick, you don’t need to worry about her either.”

My wife was stunned but didn’t argue. Instead, she quietly arranged for a kind neighbor to look after her father for a month.

Roles Reversed

Fast forward to this year: my mother’s health deteriorated, and she moved in with us. I’ve taken full responsibility for her daily care, including cooking, cleaning, and laundry, without involving my wife.

Last month, while I was away on a business trip, I received an urgent call from my wife. She informed me that my mother had been hospitalized due to high blood pressure and was at risk of a stroke. Then, she calmly added:

“You need to come back and take care of her. I’m busy packing for my trip with friends tomorrow.”

I was furious.

“How can you even think about going on vacation while my mother is in the hospital? Do you have no compassion? Cancel the trip immediately!”

To my shock, she replied in a calm but cutting tone:

“Everyone should take care of their own parents. She’s your mother, not mine. This doesn’t concern me.”

Realization and Regret

Her words hit me like a bolt of lightning, reminding me of how I had treated her father. I realized that my wife’s actions were deliberate—a way of paying me back for my past indifference.

Desperate, I pleaded with her to forgive me and promised to treat her family better in the future. But she dismissed my offer, saying her parents were no longer alive and there was no point.

Unable to leave my mother without care, I canceled my business trip and rushed home that night. My wife handed over the responsibility for my mother with a weary look and left without another word.

The Aftermath

My mother has since been discharged but is now bedridden. Caring for her alone has been exhausting, and my wife remains distant. She checks in daily, asking how my mother is doing and advising me on ways to ease her discomfort, but she shows no interest in getting involved.

I want to apologize to my wife and ask her to help care for my mother, but I don’t know how to bridge the gap I created. How can I undo the damage and rebuild the trust I’ve lost?