The sun had barely risen when the clamor outside my door yanked me from sleep.
I barely had a foot out of the bedroom when my mother-in-law, Zara, stormed up with a young woman in tow. My husband, Josh Lawson, and father-in-law, Paul Lawson, trailed behind her.
They stood there, looking like a jury ready to pass judgment, and I could not help but arch an eyebrow.

"What's the big idea?"
Zara glowered at me, thrusting a cancer diagnosis report in my face.
"Josh told you about Jasmine's illness yesterday. She needs the cash for surgery, and she needs it now. So, where is it?"
I took a quick look at the young woman, her head hung low, the picture of vulnerability, and my brow furrowed.
Josh did talk to me about the medical bills. He wanted me to transfer 7,500 dollars from his salary for his god sister, Jasmine Carter's treatment. I had control over his bank account, and I had shown him the balance.
However, there they were, practically on a witch hunt.

I whipped out my phone and sent Josh a single dollar. "There, I've transferred the wages you're so desperate for."
Zara peered at the screen and blew up, her voice piercing.
"Is this some kind of joke? One dollar? You think you're dealing with a street beggar?
"Have you been funneling my son's money to your brother for his house?"

I shrugged, helpless.
"If you won't believe me, what can I do? That's all that's left in the account. Where do you expect me to get the money?"
Paul let out an icy laugh and produced a pay stub from his pocket.
"For years, my son has been handing his earnings over to you. His salary's in the thousands, and you give him peanuts for an allowance. He can't even afford a drink or a smoke. What kind of man lives like that?
"You're just green with envy! We never asked you to take care of us in our old age, but chipping in a bit to help Jasmine get better is too much for you?!"
Zara's voice was thick with pain as she slapped her thigh, her wrinkled face twisted in anguish. "Looks like you and your mom are two peas in a pod. She was eyeing our savings before you even married into the family. And now, you're after the money my son has slaved away for!"
They had me cornered, and I could not move.
Jasmine stayed silent, her eyes brimming with tears, giving me a look like I was the one who had hurt her. Josh saw the tension and stepped in front of me, canceling the bank transfer. "Dad, Mom, Chloe's family, too. Watch what you say!"
He whispered to me, his voice a soothing murmur, "Honey, they're just worried, that's all. Jasmine's my only sister. I can't just stand by and watch her suffer, right?
"Don't worry, my salary for the next five or six months should cover it. You'll still handle the rest, okay?"
Zara and Paul were fuming, accusing Josh of being blind to my true colors and still taking my side. "Why are you even talking to her? She obviously doesn't care about Jasmine's health! Get your bank access from her now!"
However, Josh's gaze did not waver from mine. His earnest look made my heart skip a beat.
When we first got married, everyone said I had snagged a catch. He always had my back, especially against Zara. Then, he gave me control over his paychecks, keeping just enough to get by each month.
I wanted to split it with him, but he would not hear of it. "I'm not into playing games like some guys. I just want a simple life with you. What's mine is yours.
"If I can't make my wife confidently pay for her purchases without a second thought, then I've really dropped the ball."
At that moment, I faced Josh, who was waiting for my reply. I calmly shrugged his hand from my shoulder.
"That's the whole story. Even if I did transfer it to you, you wouldn't be satisfied.
"I've got to rush to work. Let's pick this up later."