Emily has always had issues with Denise, her mother-in-law. But when her birthday rolls around and her husband, Evan, has to go away on a business trip, Emily is left to entertain herself. Denise, on the other hand, takes matters into her own hands and gives her daughter-in-law a horrible birthday gift…

I know we all have problematic mother-in-law stories, but, my goodness. I’ve been dealing with Denise for well over five years now. My husband, Evan, and I come from very different backgrounds, which were the first ingredients for a disaster.

Evan grew up in an affluent suburb, while I was raised by a single mom in a rough neighborhood where clothing was stolen straight off the line.

And to make it even worse for Denise? I’m a mixed-race woman, which Denise always looked down on.

“You definitely get your hair from your mother, then,” she would say to annoy me.

Despite Evan’s love and constant defense of me, Denise never missed a chance to remind him that he could’ve done better.

“I’ll bet you a spa day, Emily,” Evan told me one day as we were driving to his mother’s house for dinner. “She’s going to mention something about an ex-girlfriend or about me having done better.”

Naturally, he was correct because not even fifteen minutes into the dinner, Denise was talking about an ex.

“Evan! Did you know that Laila has moved back home? She’s living with her parents for a little while because her apartment is being renovated. You should meet her for coffee.”

We always laughed it off, but then Denise crossed a line that changed everything.

A few weeks ago was my 29th birthday, and unfortunately, my husband was scheduled for a week-long business trip. I wasn’t upset about it because Evan always spoiled me with gifts and surprises, so it wasn’t a big deal that we would have to reschedule my birthday plans.

“I will make it up to you when I’m back, Emily,” he said as he packed his clothes into a suitcase. “I promise you, my love.”

“Relax,” I laughed, helping him fold his ties. “I know, Evan. You just go and focus on work.”

Now, Denise knew this and seemed unusually interested in my plans for that weekend.

“So, Emily, what will you be up to? I know that Evan will be away,” she said on the phone.

“I have plans with my mother and some friends,” I said politely. “But I’ll be home that evening.”

“Oh good!” she exclaimed. “I’ve prepared a big surprise for you!”

Her interest caught me off guard. Evan had always hoped that his mother would come around and that she would finally accept me.

“It’s just a matter of time, Em,” he would say. “She’ll come around, I promise.”

But we were yet to see that happen. Maybe my birthday was the catalyst we needed for this big change.

Fast forward to my birthday.

“Happy birthday, sweetheart,” Evan said excitedly on the phone. “I have a meeting now, but let’s catch up later! I promise you, I will make this up to you, Em.”

“You don’t have to keep repeating that, honey,” I laughed. “Go be great, we’ll speak later.”

I spent the morning having brunch with my friends and then met my mom for mimosas and manicures. It was the best way to spend the day without Evan while still feeling loved and special.

“So, Denise has something planned for you?” my mother asked as she chose her nail color.

“Apparently so,” I replied. “I’m hoping that it’s something sweet and thoughtful and will actually bring us closer together.”

“I love that you think so, darling,” Mom said. “But don’t get your hopes up. Denise is as faulty as they come. I just don’t want you to get hurt.”

“I won’t, Mom,” I said. “I’ll just go with it and hope for the best. But if she’s going to do something nasty, I’ll tell Evan. I don’t want to break his heart, but he needs to know the truth.”

As I headed home, I was in a good mood. I pulled into the driveway and saw a delivery van parked just across the road.

Denise’s surprise had arrived.

I rushed to the door and waited for the delivery person to come up to me. Moments later, a man stepped out of the delivery van and rummaged in the back for my order.

And there it was.

As he walked up to me, he was carrying a large, wilting bouquet of faded flowers. The petals were brown and curling, the stems so weak they could barely hold up the dead blossoms.

“Wow,” was all I could muster.

Attached to one stem was a note.

This is what will happen to your marriage to Evan. It will wither and die. You don’t deserve him.—Denise.

I felt the world shatter around me.

“I’m sorry,” the delivery man said, looking at me. “I just have to do my job.”

I nodded, holding that pathetic bouquet in my hands, tears streaming down my face. I walked into the living room and just stood there rooted to the spot.

I didn’t deserve this behavior from Denise. No one deserved this behavior. Just as I was about to collapse into a heap of tears, I heard the front door open.

“Emily? Honey? What’s wrong?” Evan said quickly.

I looked up, and there he was. My husband, standing in the doorway, suitcase at his feet, and a shocked look on his face. He had come home to surprise me, but instead of finding me smiling, he found me in tears, clutching the cruel reminder of his mother’s hatred.

Evan’s face hardened when he saw the bouquet, his eyes roaming over me. He walked over, gently took the flowers from my hands, and read the note.

“What the hell?” he exclaimed, the color draining from his face.

“I told you,” I said. “She hates me.”

“I’m so sorry, Emily,” he said. “She’s gone too far this time. We’re going to teach her a lesson.”

Later that evening, Evan called his mother while we were sitting on the couch.

“Mom, Em was so touched by your gesture today. She told me all about the flowers and really appreciated them. But I feel so bad that I couldn’t be there on her birthday. Would you mind going over for dinner tomorrow? I’ll order the food and meet you there when I get in from my trip.”

Denise’s delighted response echoed through the phone.

“Oh, of course, honey! I’d love to be there! Emily must be so lonely. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

The next day, my husband promised to take over all the plans.

“You just sit back with a book and let me do everything,” he said.

Soon, our apartment was a floral wonderland. Evan had called in every favor he had, and by the time I had changed into a dress and walked into the living room, our apartment was filled with roses of all colors.

They covered every surface, filled every corner, and turned our home into something out of a romantic movie.

“This is the type of flowers you deserve,” Evan said, holding a bottle of red wine.

When the evening rolled around, everything was in place according to my husband’s watchful eye. The soft glow of candles illuminated the roses, the air was thick with their sweet fragrance.

And right on time, Denise arrived, ringing the doorbell.

My husband opened the door, and when Denise saw him, her jaw dropped.

“Oh, Evan! What are you doing here? You’re supposed to be on a business trip, aren’t you? And what is going on here?” she asked, finally seeing the flowers behind Evan.

Her eyes widened, her mouth fell open, and for once in her life, Denise was utterly speechless.

“Mom, I wanted to show you what our marriage really looks like. Those wilted flowers you sent over? That’s not us. That’s you. Our marriage is blooming and will continue to do so. Whether you like it or not.”

“Well, it’s certainly extravagant, Evan,” she said. “But don’t you think that this is all a bit much?”

“What? No!” Evan said. “Now, if you’ll leave, I have to do a birthday dinner with my wife.”

“You’ve turned my son against me,” Denise hissed at me.

“No, Denise,” I said patiently. “You did that all on your own.”

“Please leave now,” Evan said. “We’ll see you when you’ve realized how much you’ve messed up.”

After that, Denise left in a huff and Evan brought out a birthday cake for me.

“I’ve ordered your favorite Thai food,” he said. “It should be here soon.”

In the weeks that followed, Denise’s attitude changed. She became distant with us, and though she didn’t really apologize directly, she stopped her usual snide comments and passive-aggressive behavior with me.

What would you have done?