My husband passed away at the young age of 38, succumbing to the cruel disease of cancer. He left us in January 2023, and while a year has passed since his death, it still feels like it happened just yesterday.
Together, my late husband and I had one daughter, who is now in the sixth grade. With the support of both our families, my daughter and I have been able to overcome part of the grief and continue on with our lives despite losing the man who was the pillar of our home.
My late husband was the youngest child in his family, and everyone loved him deeply. His passing left a void, and I often felt supported by his relatives who would check in on me and ask about my well-being. However, there was one family member, my sister-in-law, who constantly pried into sensitive matters—asking about my husband’s wealth, whether there were any debts, or how much money he left behind. These questions always made me uncomfortable.
Whenever she asked, I would reply with a polite smile, saying, “My husband passed away suddenly. While we had some assets, most of them went towards his treatment. The little we have left is set aside for my daughter’s education, and the rest, I still have to work to make ends meet.”
Truthfully, the money my husband left behind in the bank is enough to keep my daughter and me comfortable. But I knew this would be something others would take notice of, so I kept my distance and was cautious with every action, even as family members asked questions.
Despite feeling uneasy, I couldn’t reject their kindness entirely. Every week or so, relatives like my eldest brother-in-law or other family members would visit us, checking on my daughter’s studies and our daily lives.
In recent months, my sister-in-law began discussing the idea of me remarrying. To be honest, I do think that, at my age, remarriage is a natural thing, but I felt it was too soon to even think about it. I would need at least two or three more memorials for my husband before I could even begin considering the idea of finding another man.
Although I had made my thoughts clear, my sister-in-law persisted, constantly bringing it up in various ways. She would say, “You need to find someone soon, or it’ll be too late to have children again!” or “Older women aren’t attractive, so who will want you?” Sometimes, she would even say in front of the entire family, “Your husband up there would probably want you to remarry!”
Occasionally, when my sister-in-law and brother-in-law visited, they would bring along a man, someone they were trying to introduce to me. He was divorced, childless, and financially stable. Still, I stood firm in my decision and didn’t let their well-meaning attempts sway me.
One night, as I was lying in bed, my daughter fast asleep in her own room, I heard the distinct sound of the iron door opening. A chill ran down my spine. I live in a secure apartment building, and I always double-check the locks before bed. So, I immediately thought it must be a thief. My heart raced, and I was too terrified to shout for help. I feared that if the intruder felt cornered, he might harm my daughter too. I had read stories online about intruders attacking homeowners when they were discovered, which made my fear all the more real.
I lay there frozen, holding my breath. The stranger stepped into my room. I was terrified and in such shock that tears rolled down my face, but I couldn’t move. I expected him to quietly steal something valuable, but instead, the man climbed into my bed and wrapped his arms around me from behind.
“Who are you?” I whispered weakly, only to be shocked by his flirtatious reply, “It’s K, the guy your sister-in-law introduced to you!”
Suddenly, it all clicked. I had given a set of keys to my brother-in-law in case of emergencies, so he could enter the house if necessary. I now realized that either my sister-in-law or my brother-in-law had likely given these keys to K.
Once I understood that he wasn’t a thief and his intentions were different, I let out a breath of relief. But then, as I looked at him, I realized it was indeed K. He hugged me tightly, and my heart raced.
I must admit, that night, K and I crossed a line. But looking back, I feel ashamed and anxious. It was a moment of weakness, and I never intended to take things further with him. Now, I am worried that he might continue to bother me.
I still don’t want to remarry, especially not with him. I hope changing the locks to my apartment will be a wise decision, and that my sister-in-law and brother-in-law will stop pressuring me. I’m determined to live life on my terms, for myself and for my daughter, without being manipulated into something I’m not ready for.
