Every time my sister-in-law visits us, she insists on dining at upscale restaurants. However, when the check arrives, she conveniently “forgets” her wallet, leaving me to cover the bill. This time was no exception.
But her grin quickly turned to horror when I grabbed my phone and said, “Don’t worry, I’ll just call your husband real quick—he can read out your card info.”
Her smile froze. I’d never done that before. Usually, I just sighed, handed over my card, and stewed in silence.
But something about that night made me snap. We were at a rooftop seafood place—white tablecloths, candlelight, lobster tails that looked like they’d been massaged before being cooked. The kind of place she chose on purpose, knowing I wouldn’t say no because my husband, Matt, always wanted peace between us.
She waved her hand, laughing nervously. “No, no! I mean, I can pay you back later.
Obviously.”
I leaned back in my chair, still holding my phone. “That’s what you said last time. And the time before that.
You know, I checked—I’m out $742 from all the ‘later’ paybacks.”
Matt, sitting next to me, looked down at his plate. He never liked to get involved. She huffed.
“Wow. I didn’t know you were keeping tabs.”
“Honestly?” I said. “I wasn’t.
Until it started feeling like a pattern.”
She looked around, like maybe the other tables were listening. “I didn’t bring my wallet, okay? Why are you making such a big deal?”
I didn’t say anything else.
I just reached into my purse, pulled out my card, and paid. But I decided something right then: this was the last time. Her name’s Jasmine, by the way.
Matt’s older sister. Lives two hours away in a posh neighborhood with her husband, Greg, who owns a construction business and is always mysteriously “too busy” to visit with her. They don’t have kids, but Jasmine treats everyone else’s like they’re her personal Instagram props.
She’s beautiful, sure, and charming when she wants to be—but it always felt like a performance. I used to envy her confidence, the way she walked into a room like she owned it. But lately, all I felt was drained when she was around.
The next morning, Matt and I were sitting at the kitchen table drinking coffee. I brought it up gently. “She’s taking advantage of us.”
He didn’t look surprised.
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