1 00:00:00,080 --> 00:00:02,680 In labor before my Sills wedding, Mill locked me in a 2 00:00:02,680 --> 00:00:04,640 bathroom to avoid stealing the spotlight. 3 00:00:05,120 --> 00:00:07,720 I woke in the hospital 2 weeks ago. 4 00:00:07,840 --> 00:00:11,720 Rick, 30 million and I-29 feet, had a daughter, May. 5 00:00:12,200 --> 00:00:14,440 We are certainly thrilled to have our first child. 6 00:00:14,960 --> 00:00:16,720 As we get used to being new parents. 7 00:00:16,760 --> 00:00:19,520 Things have been hectic. We're both having a difficult 8 00:00:19,520 --> 00:00:21,320 shift, but we're trying our hardest. 9 00:00:21,800 --> 00:00:24,640 Unfortunately, given what transpired on the day of May's 10 00:00:24,640 --> 00:00:27,000 birth, we are unable to offer much assistance. 11 00:00:27,520 --> 00:00:29,840 I don't think I will ever be able to forget it because it was 12 00:00:29,840 --> 00:00:31,800 one of the most painful events in my life. 13 00:00:32,280 --> 00:00:35,000 The overwhelming terror I experienced that day hasn't been 14 00:00:35,000 --> 00:00:37,800 replaced, not even by the happiness of May's arrival. 15 00:00:38,280 --> 00:00:41,280 If it weren't for my husband's prompt action, I genuinely think 16 00:00:41,280 --> 00:00:43,480 I would have passed away. I'm conflicted. 17 00:00:43,480 --> 00:00:46,680 Despite the terrible incident, part of me feels that since it 18 00:00:46,680 --> 00:00:49,880 includes family, we need to be kinder to them, particularly as 19 00:00:49,880 --> 00:00:51,600 May is the family's eldest child. 20 00:00:52,120 --> 00:00:55,080 But because hormones and newborn responsibilities are impairing 21 00:00:55,080 --> 00:00:57,280 my judgement, I've turned to Reddit for support. 22 00:00:57,720 --> 00:01:00,640 Please be patient with me. There are a lot of characters in 23 00:01:00,640 --> 00:01:03,200 this story. The two younger sisters of Rick 24 00:01:03,200 --> 00:01:07,840 are Emma, 24 F and Anna, 28 F. Both of them and I have always 25 00:01:07,840 --> 00:01:10,760 gotten along well, so I don't believe there is any hostility 26 00:01:10,760 --> 00:01:13,640 between us. Since each of us is preoccupied 27 00:01:13,640 --> 00:01:15,440 with our own lives and occupations. 28 00:01:15,560 --> 00:01:18,680 We are not particularly close. Even though Emma lives in a 29 00:01:18,680 --> 00:01:21,560 different city, we make an effort to communicate via phone 30 00:01:21,560 --> 00:01:25,480 or text whenever possible. My mother-in-law, Rachel, 53 F, 31 00:01:25,720 --> 00:01:27,800 is another significant character in this tale. 32 00:01:28,240 --> 00:01:31,080 I get along well with Emma and Anna, but Rachel and I don't get 33 00:01:31,080 --> 00:01:33,720 along. We don't agree and I genuinely 34 00:01:33,720 --> 00:01:36,120 believe she has problems with everyone, not just me. 35 00:01:36,640 --> 00:01:38,440 Rachel has an obsession with control. 36 00:01:38,920 --> 00:01:41,520 Her responses range from criticism and pouting to full 37 00:01:41,520 --> 00:01:43,840 blown tantrums with tears because she wants things to 38 00:01:43,840 --> 00:01:46,720 happen her way because she reared them alone after their 39 00:01:46,720 --> 00:01:49,440 father left them. Her children, including Rick, 40 00:01:49,520 --> 00:01:52,800 usually abide by her desires. They make an effort to ease 41 00:01:52,800 --> 00:01:55,720 their own and her burdens. Rick allows me to keep my 42 00:01:55,720 --> 00:01:58,440 distance and handle his mother any way I see fit because he 43 00:01:58,440 --> 00:02:01,480 knows she may be challenging. I've always attempted to leave 44 00:02:01,480 --> 00:02:03,280 things be. Even though Rachel can be 45 00:02:03,280 --> 00:02:06,440 somewhat controlling, I avoid her since she doesn't like me. 46 00:02:06,960 --> 00:02:09,960 Up until a few days ago when everything went awry, this 47 00:02:09,960 --> 00:02:12,600 arrangement worked. Anna was getting married the day 48 00:02:12,600 --> 00:02:15,880 Mae was born. Her husband, Jonah 30 million, 49 00:02:16,040 --> 00:02:18,520 is actually Rick's friend, and the wedding was lovely. 50 00:02:19,000 --> 00:02:22,160 About a year ago, he proposed to her and I agreed to be a 51 00:02:22,160 --> 00:02:23,920 bridesmaid when Anna asked me to. 52 00:02:24,440 --> 00:02:27,040 I had to ask Anna to designate someone else's her maid of 53 00:02:27,040 --> 00:02:28,560 honor. After Rick and I learned I was 54 00:02:28,560 --> 00:02:32,000 expecting, I was aware that I couldn't handle the obligations. 55 00:02:32,480 --> 00:02:35,160 This was just six months before the wedding and roughly six 56 00:02:35,160 --> 00:02:38,200 months after her proposal. I was three months pregnant at 57 00:02:38,200 --> 00:02:40,600 the time. Before informing Anna, I was 58 00:02:40,600 --> 00:02:43,240 really anxious. I was afraid that our connection 59 00:02:43,240 --> 00:02:44,680 would become permanently strained. 60 00:02:45,200 --> 00:02:46,760 I was relieved that didn't occur. 61 00:02:47,200 --> 00:02:49,520 When I told Anna the news, she was ecstatic. 62 00:02:50,000 --> 00:02:52,120 She even briefly forgot about getting married. 63 00:02:52,640 --> 00:02:55,360 Obviously, I'll be taking care of you, she said. 64 00:02:55,360 --> 00:02:57,800 When I told her that I couldn't perform the duties of maid of 65 00:02:57,800 --> 00:03:00,840 honor, she even thought about moving the wedding date so I 66 00:03:00,840 --> 00:03:02,600 wouldn't miss it, but that didn't work out. 67 00:03:02,600 --> 00:03:05,680 In the end, both sisters continued to work on getting 68 00:03:05,680 --> 00:03:08,400 ready for the wedding, with Emma filling in as maid of honor. 69 00:03:08,920 --> 00:03:11,760 In spite of this, they found time to help me during my really 70 00:03:11,760 --> 00:03:14,880 difficult pregnancy. Anna always stood by me without 71 00:03:14,880 --> 00:03:17,360 complaining, but I felt bad for missing her on such a 72 00:03:17,360 --> 00:03:20,680 significant day. Rachel, my mother-in-law, was 73 00:03:20,680 --> 00:03:22,320 the only one who appeared distressed. 74 00:03:22,760 --> 00:03:25,440 The wedding preparations were somewhat disrupted, and I 75 00:03:25,440 --> 00:03:27,920 believe she was irritated that I could no longer serve as the 76 00:03:27,920 --> 00:03:30,560 maid of honor. Rachel began to act hostilely 77 00:03:30,560 --> 00:03:32,760 toward me. While Anna was totally cool with 78 00:03:32,760 --> 00:03:36,280 my pregnancy and my absence from bridal chores, it was subtly 79 00:03:36,280 --> 00:03:39,080 persistent. I chose to dismiss it, assuming 80 00:03:39,080 --> 00:03:41,200 it was just her wedding stress or my hormones. 81 00:03:41,600 --> 00:03:43,160 The wedding day came two weeks ago. 82 00:03:43,640 --> 00:03:46,480 By that time, my feet were swollen, my abdomen was 83 00:03:46,480 --> 00:03:48,360 enormous, and I was severely pregnant. 84 00:03:48,840 --> 00:03:51,880 Anna wanted me there, so even though I was tired and felt like 85 00:03:51,880 --> 00:03:55,360 I could faint, I wanted to go. In order to avoid detracting 86 00:03:55,360 --> 00:03:58,040 from her special day, I had asked her in advance if my 87 00:03:58,040 --> 00:03:59,680 presence would pose any problems. 88 00:04:00,160 --> 00:04:02,040 I even had the thought that she was offended. 89 00:04:02,560 --> 00:04:05,280 Anna informed me that she only wanted her family to be there to 90 00:04:05,280 --> 00:04:07,960 support her and that she didn't care about fame or attention. 91 00:04:08,400 --> 00:04:11,080 She urged me to go and not be concerned about any drama. 92 00:04:11,560 --> 00:04:14,640 I trusted Anna because I knew how direct she was, and I felt 93 00:04:14,640 --> 00:04:17,279 obligated to support her despite my physical discomfort. 94 00:04:17,720 --> 00:04:20,760 I won't lie, there were a lot of whispers and murmurs regarding 95 00:04:20,760 --> 00:04:22,440 my presence on Anna's wedding day. 96 00:04:22,960 --> 00:04:25,840 I knew Anna was glad I was there, so I tried my best to 97 00:04:25,840 --> 00:04:28,160 ignore them. That was all I cared about at 98 00:04:28,160 --> 00:04:31,080 the time, but Rachel didn't talk to me very often. 99 00:04:31,600 --> 00:04:33,120 The whole time she scowled at me. 100 00:04:33,640 --> 00:04:35,560 I was too uneasy to pay any attention. 101 00:04:36,440 --> 00:04:38,960 I left her alone because I lacked the energy to confront 102 00:04:38,960 --> 00:04:41,520 her or figure out why she was acting in such a passive 103 00:04:41,520 --> 00:04:44,440 aggressive manner. I wasn't going to react so she 104 00:04:44,440 --> 00:04:47,400 could glare all she wanted. Then came the major incident 105 00:04:47,440 --> 00:04:49,480 which really startled me and everyone else. 106 00:04:49,960 --> 00:04:52,800 I began to feel nervous just before the ceremony started. 107 00:04:53,240 --> 00:04:56,000 After meeting Anna, I went upstairs in the hopes of feeling 108 00:04:56,000 --> 00:04:59,200 better before going back. I had no idea that Rachel had 109 00:04:59,200 --> 00:05:01,840 been following me. I went to the bathroom because I 110 00:05:01,840 --> 00:05:04,880 felt weird and sweaty. My water suddenly burst. 111 00:05:05,400 --> 00:05:08,640 It was a real deluge. Immediately, panic struck. 112 00:05:09,080 --> 00:05:12,440 My baby had arrived at the worst possible time, despite the fact 113 00:05:12,440 --> 00:05:13,840 that I love her more than anything. 114 00:05:14,320 --> 00:05:16,800 I was attempting to think clearly while crouched in agony 115 00:05:16,800 --> 00:05:19,120 when Rachel suddenly materialized in front of me. 116 00:05:19,560 --> 00:05:22,320 We had to get to the hospital, so I ordered her to grab my 117 00:05:22,320 --> 00:05:25,360 phone and call Rick right away. Rachel escorted me to the 118 00:05:25,360 --> 00:05:28,200 restroom and took a seat for me. I trusted her to act 119 00:05:28,200 --> 00:05:30,280 appropriately, so I gave her my phone. 120 00:05:30,680 --> 00:05:33,560 She lost it at that point because she didn't want me to 121 00:05:33,560 --> 00:05:36,160 steal Anna's spotlight. Rachel said she would make sure 122 00:05:36,160 --> 00:05:39,800 Rick arrived after the ceremony. Shocked, I questioned if she was 123 00:05:39,800 --> 00:05:41,920 crazy and told her that I couldn't endure this for an 124 00:05:41,920 --> 00:05:43,960 hour. She took the phone with her and 125 00:05:43,960 --> 00:05:46,040 locked me in the bathroom. When I tried to get it back, 126 00:05:46,480 --> 00:05:50,200 there I was, sitting on a toilet in a restroom in labor, very 127 00:05:50,200 --> 00:05:51,920 pregnant, without a spouse or phone. 128 00:05:52,440 --> 00:05:55,000 I managed to avoid having a full blown panic attack. 129 00:05:55,440 --> 00:05:57,560 What might have happened if I had is unknown to me. 130 00:05:58,040 --> 00:06:00,840 I stood up and walked to the door, yelling for assistance and 131 00:06:00,840 --> 00:06:03,760 hammering on it. However, nobody heard me because 132 00:06:03,760 --> 00:06:05,960 everyone was sitting for the wedding and the restroom was on 133 00:06:05,960 --> 00:06:08,560 the first level. I yelled until I could no longer 134 00:06:08,560 --> 00:06:12,280 be heard, but nobody arrived. At that point, I genuinely 135 00:06:12,280 --> 00:06:14,760 believed that I would pass away and that my child would follow 136 00:06:14,760 --> 00:06:17,240 me in death. I finally passed asleep, 137 00:06:17,400 --> 00:06:20,320 exhausted, sweating profusely, and without a voice. 138 00:06:20,800 --> 00:06:22,560 I don't recall anything else after that. 139 00:06:23,080 --> 00:06:25,080 Hours later, I awoke in the hospital. 140 00:06:25,520 --> 00:06:28,720 Rick was crying beside me. It took me a moment to figure 141 00:06:28,720 --> 00:06:30,440 out where I was and what was going on. 142 00:06:30,920 --> 00:06:33,880 I expected the worst when I saw Rick crying and everything that 143 00:06:33,880 --> 00:06:36,120 had happened to me before. Rachel locking me in the 144 00:06:36,120 --> 00:06:39,120 bathroom and my calls for assistance came flooding back. 145 00:06:39,600 --> 00:06:43,400 I believe May had not arrived. When Rick saw I was awake, he 146 00:06:43,400 --> 00:06:46,080 let out a breath of relief and began sobbing in my arms. 147 00:06:46,560 --> 00:06:49,320 I had a sinking feeling in my stomach and felt overpowered. 148 00:06:49,800 --> 00:06:51,920 The nurse then entered carrying a baby girl. 149 00:06:52,360 --> 00:06:55,320 I let out a sigh of comfort. There will never be a better 150 00:06:55,320 --> 00:06:57,280 moment than the first time I held my baby. 151 00:06:57,760 --> 00:07:00,280 Since I didn't have the energy to digest everything at that 152 00:07:00,280 --> 00:07:03,160 point, I was thankful that Rick didn't give me any details. 153 00:07:03,680 --> 00:07:06,440 I could hear some noise outside the hospital room though. 154 00:07:06,960 --> 00:07:09,560 Rick explained that his mother was outside and wanted to come 155 00:07:09,560 --> 00:07:11,480 in to see her granddaughter. When I asked him what was 156 00:07:11,480 --> 00:07:14,840 happening, I filled him in on everything, including Rachel's 157 00:07:14,840 --> 00:07:17,440 actions and how she needlessly put our daughter in risk. 158 00:07:17,880 --> 00:07:20,640 Furthermore, I made it plain that I would never permit her to 159 00:07:20,640 --> 00:07:23,160 get close to my daughter. She was dead to me. 160 00:07:23,600 --> 00:07:25,680 Rick said he already knew everything and nodded. 161 00:07:26,160 --> 00:07:27,920 Rachel had sobbed and told him everything. 162 00:07:27,920 --> 00:07:31,040 When he discovered me in that way, I informed him that I would 163 00:07:31,040 --> 00:07:32,760 not forgive her because of her breakdown. 164 00:07:33,200 --> 00:07:35,840 Rick chuckled and declared that Rachel was dead to him as well. 165 00:07:35,840 --> 00:07:38,880 From this moment on, he declared that he would go to court to 166 00:07:38,880 --> 00:07:41,400 make sure she was punished and that he intended to prosecute 167 00:07:41,400 --> 00:07:44,640 her with endangering her life. I felt as though a burden had 168 00:07:44,640 --> 00:07:47,720 been removed when I heard that Rick and his brothers all love 169 00:07:47,720 --> 00:07:50,560 his mother, so I know that he does, but I wasn't in the mood 170 00:07:50,560 --> 00:07:53,240 to forgive her after what she had done, which might have cost 171 00:07:53,240 --> 00:07:55,640 me in May our lives. Our marriage would have been 172 00:07:55,640 --> 00:07:58,240 finished if Rick had sided with his mother instead of me. 173 00:07:58,720 --> 00:08:00,960 After that, there would have been no turning back. 174 00:08:01,440 --> 00:08:04,400 Given everything she had given up to raise them, I secretly 175 00:08:04,400 --> 00:08:08,040 feared he might support her. However, Rick defended me and I 176 00:08:08,040 --> 00:08:11,600 am very appreciative if it's possible it increased my love 177 00:08:11,600 --> 00:08:13,920 for him. I inquired about Rick's wedding 178 00:08:13,920 --> 00:08:17,160 experience. It's OK, he answered, adding 179 00:08:17,160 --> 00:08:19,720 that Anna and Emma were waiting for his call to come see us. 180 00:08:20,160 --> 00:08:22,920 He laughed and assured me not to worry when I inquired if Anna 181 00:08:22,920 --> 00:08:25,560 was upset. When Anna said that May's birth 182 00:08:25,560 --> 00:08:27,920 was the greatest present she could have gotten on her wedding 183 00:08:27,920 --> 00:08:30,320 day, she was ecstatic and beaming with pride. 184 00:08:30,800 --> 00:08:33,600 I cried when I heard that, and I told Rick to call them right 185 00:08:33,600 --> 00:08:36,640 away. Jonah, Emma, and Anna arrived to 186 00:08:36,640 --> 00:08:38,240 the hospital in a matter of minutes. 187 00:08:38,640 --> 00:08:41,640 The finest aspect. Jonah and Anna were still 188 00:08:41,640 --> 00:08:44,520 dressed for their wedding. There was no way Anna was going 189 00:08:44,520 --> 00:08:47,280 to miss the opportunity to take a wedding photo with her niece. 190 00:08:47,720 --> 00:08:50,640 I began to cry. It was a very touching moment. 191 00:08:51,160 --> 00:08:53,320 I apologize to Anna for spoiling her day. 192 00:08:53,320 --> 00:08:56,480 After the photo, she gave me a big hug and told me that I was 193 00:08:56,480 --> 00:08:58,360 mistaken and that I had brightened her day. 194 00:08:59,240 --> 00:09:02,280 After that, I informed Anna about Rachel's actions since we 195 00:09:02,280 --> 00:09:05,240 made the pregnancy public. The only thing I did wrong, 196 00:09:05,320 --> 00:09:07,840 according to Anna, was not notifying them sooner. 197 00:09:08,280 --> 00:09:11,120 She was enraged. She thought that Rachel's drama 198 00:09:11,120 --> 00:09:13,880 could have been avoided. Emma added that any amount of 199 00:09:13,880 --> 00:09:15,760 trouble was OK as long as I was safe. 200 00:09:15,760 --> 00:09:18,000 After I clarified that I didn't want to start any. 201 00:09:18,480 --> 00:09:20,920 My eyes stillwell up with tears as I type this. 202 00:09:21,400 --> 00:09:23,880 I realized then that they actually loved me as a member of 203 00:09:23,880 --> 00:09:26,000 their family, not simply Rick's wife. 204 00:09:26,520 --> 00:09:28,960 One of the most amazing people I've ever met is Anna. 205 00:09:29,400 --> 00:09:32,000 She's safe, kind, and incredibly happy. 206 00:09:32,520 --> 00:09:35,480 Understandably, she has achieved great success in life. 207 00:09:35,960 --> 00:09:38,720 How Rachel becomes so different from her kids is beyond me. 208 00:09:39,240 --> 00:09:42,080 It seems as though they chose to act in the exact opposite way 209 00:09:42,080 --> 00:09:45,600 after witnessing her actions. It's strange, but I no longer 210 00:09:45,600 --> 00:09:47,920 give a damn. The moment was lovely. 211 00:09:48,400 --> 00:09:51,960 Rachel, meanwhile, remained outside on the walk in. 212 00:09:52,080 --> 00:09:54,600 Anna assured her that she would personally see to it that Rick 213 00:09:54,600 --> 00:09:57,520 and I filed charges. I didn't want Rachel close to 214 00:09:57,520 --> 00:09:59,880 me, but she still wanted to come in to meet Mae. 215 00:10:00,360 --> 00:10:03,280 According to Anna, we must protect ourselves from Rachel. 216 00:10:03,720 --> 00:10:06,360 She also expressed regret believing she had not done 217 00:10:06,360 --> 00:10:09,400 enough to clarify that she had no issue with my pregnancy or to 218 00:10:09,400 --> 00:10:11,680 allay her mother's overly protective tendencies. 219 00:10:12,160 --> 00:10:14,160 Anna thought that perhaps the incident could have been 220 00:10:14,160 --> 00:10:16,000 prevented if she had been more outspoken. 221 00:10:16,440 --> 00:10:19,120 I informed Anna that she was not at fault and that she had made 222 00:10:19,120 --> 00:10:22,080 me feel protected. Rick was outside conversing with 223 00:10:22,080 --> 00:10:25,160 Rachel the entire time. Rick shared his conversation 224 00:10:25,160 --> 00:10:27,720 with Rachel with me after I was released from the hospital and 225 00:10:27,720 --> 00:10:29,280 brought May home a few days later. 226 00:10:29,760 --> 00:10:32,200 He told her that nothing would alter his decision and that he 227 00:10:32,200 --> 00:10:35,160 would be filing charges. He also informed her that she 228 00:10:35,160 --> 00:10:37,760 was not regarded as Mae's grandma in any way and would 229 00:10:37,760 --> 00:10:40,920 never be permitted to be a part of her life for a perceived 230 00:10:40,920 --> 00:10:42,520 offense that didn't even bother her. 231 00:10:42,680 --> 00:10:45,760 Rachel's actions had put our unborn kid in my life in risk. 232 00:10:46,240 --> 00:10:49,280 Additionally, Rick stated that he would drastically cut back on 233 00:10:49,280 --> 00:10:51,800 the financial assistance that Rachel had been receiving from 234 00:10:51,800 --> 00:10:54,360 him and Emma. Rachel broke down in tears at 235 00:10:54,360 --> 00:10:57,040 that time, saying she didn't deserve this treatment because 236 00:10:57,040 --> 00:10:59,560 she had slaved away her whole life for her kids. 237 00:11:00,120 --> 00:11:02,600 Rick strongly asserted that her acts did not provide her 238 00:11:02,600 --> 00:11:05,160 authority over their life, even though he respected the 239 00:11:05,160 --> 00:11:08,200 sacrifices she had made. He acknowledged that he had been 240 00:11:08,200 --> 00:11:11,320 overlooking or justifying her actions for years, but that was 241 00:11:11,320 --> 00:11:12,960 no longer the case with May and me. 242 00:11:13,440 --> 00:11:15,840 Given that Anna had never objected to my attending her 243 00:11:15,840 --> 00:11:18,800 wedding, Rachel had gone too far and demonstrated that she was 244 00:11:18,800 --> 00:11:22,120 dangerous to be around. After that, Rachel attempted to 245 00:11:22,120 --> 00:11:24,880 defend her behavior by claiming that she was attempting to keep 246 00:11:24,880 --> 00:11:27,240 Anna safe and didn't want me stealing the spotlight. 247 00:11:27,800 --> 00:11:30,760 However, Anna heard this and scolded Rachel, stating 248 00:11:30,760 --> 00:11:32,800 unequivocally that she had never felt that way. 249 00:11:33,280 --> 00:11:36,000 We are moving on with the lawsuit, but Rick is taking care 250 00:11:36,000 --> 00:11:38,640 of it because I can't handle the extra stress of caring for a 251 00:11:38,640 --> 00:11:41,040 newborn. Rick has stated unequivocally 252 00:11:41,040 --> 00:11:43,520 that none of the siblings are interested in continuing to be 253 00:11:43,520 --> 00:11:46,520 friends with Rachel. Emma only talks to her when it's 254 00:11:46,520 --> 00:11:49,680 absolutely necessary, and Anna has shut her off totally. 255 00:11:50,120 --> 00:11:52,640 Naturally, Rick and I are also no contact. 256 00:11:53,080 --> 00:11:56,520 Rachel probably didn't expect this backlash, as perverse as 257 00:11:56,520 --> 00:11:58,760 that seems. It's possible that she truly 258 00:11:58,760 --> 00:12:02,040 believed she was defending Anna. I'm not justifying her in the 259 00:12:02,040 --> 00:12:03,880 slightest, but I feel sorry for her. 260 00:12:03,880 --> 00:12:06,920 Since things went so wrong. I'm wondering now if we ought to 261 00:12:06,920 --> 00:12:09,640 discuss it with her. I feel awful and wrong about it, 262 00:12:09,760 --> 00:12:11,440 but perhaps I'm not thinking straight. 263 00:12:11,960 --> 00:12:14,720 I'm aware that Rick will become irate if I bring this up to him. 264 00:12:15,200 --> 00:12:17,920 He can't even look at Rachel at the moment since he is so angry 265 00:12:17,920 --> 00:12:19,960 with her. I didn't think this rift would 266 00:12:19,960 --> 00:12:23,360 be this deep, but here we are. First update. 267 00:12:23,560 --> 00:12:26,200 Well, there is no possibility of reconciliation. 268 00:12:26,320 --> 00:12:29,240 Never again. Being a new mother has kept me 269 00:12:29,240 --> 00:12:31,920 quite busy, which is why I haven't posted in a while. 270 00:12:32,480 --> 00:12:34,920 I haven't had much time for anything else because I've been 271 00:12:34,920 --> 00:12:37,240 so busy taking care of myself and my daughter. 272 00:12:37,720 --> 00:12:40,800 The good news is that we are all very enthusiastic about May's 273 00:12:40,800 --> 00:12:44,000 impending 8 week birthday. Rick and I have benefited much 274 00:12:44,000 --> 00:12:45,640 from the assistance of Anna and Jonah. 275 00:12:46,120 --> 00:12:49,280 Emma contacts us nearly every day, but she had to go back to 276 00:12:49,280 --> 00:12:51,520 work. Everyone's life are Brighton by 277 00:12:51,520 --> 00:12:54,040 May, and her photos are all over our group chat. 278 00:12:54,480 --> 00:12:57,880 Rachel has not been contacted since we already have too much 279 00:12:57,880 --> 00:13:00,200 on our plate and filing charges would be pointless. 280 00:13:00,240 --> 00:13:03,720 I persuaded Rick not to do so since none of us has the energy 281 00:13:03,720 --> 00:13:05,160 to handle the matter at this time. 282 00:13:05,320 --> 00:13:08,480 Rick reluctantly consented. Rachel seemed appreciative when 283 00:13:08,480 --> 00:13:10,280 we informed her of this choice last week. 284 00:13:10,760 --> 00:13:13,880 I used the word appeared because the woman is genuinely insane, 285 00:13:14,040 --> 00:13:16,400 and she soon revealed her true nature to everyone. 286 00:13:16,880 --> 00:13:20,440 Rick and I got up at around 1:00 AM last week to a booming knock 287 00:13:20,440 --> 00:13:23,480 on the door. Rick went to open the door, but 288 00:13:23,480 --> 00:13:26,120 I fled and hid with May because I assumed it was a robbery. 289 00:13:26,600 --> 00:13:29,560 Although I could hear shouting, I was afraid to venture out for 290 00:13:29,560 --> 00:13:32,960 fear of waking May. My mother-in-law, Rachel, was 291 00:13:32,960 --> 00:13:35,640 the one who did it. According to Rick, she was 292 00:13:35,640 --> 00:13:38,400 acting irrationally, yelling that we couldn't keep her away 293 00:13:38,400 --> 00:13:41,720 and that she needed to see May. She finally backed off after 294 00:13:41,720 --> 00:13:43,240 Rick threatened to call the police. 295 00:13:43,760 --> 00:13:46,200 She had been attempting to enter the residence by force. 296 00:13:46,360 --> 00:13:48,440 We thought that something might be wrong with her and that 297 00:13:48,440 --> 00:13:51,360 everyone needed to know, so we contacted Emma and Anna right 298 00:13:51,360 --> 00:13:53,440 once. But our worry didn't last long. 299 00:13:53,920 --> 00:13:56,400 Rachel texted us unsettlingly the following day. 300 00:13:56,920 --> 00:13:59,760 She began by saying that we were punishing her for being a mother 301 00:13:59,760 --> 00:14:02,920 by denying her access to May, calling us nasty and horrid. 302 00:14:03,440 --> 00:14:05,640 The text soon became erratic and theatrical. 303 00:14:06,080 --> 00:14:08,960 She discussed the challenges of parenting three children and how 304 00:14:08,960 --> 00:14:12,000 she had to put one child's needs ahead of another at all times. 305 00:14:12,480 --> 00:14:15,160 She used the excuse that she didn't want May to ruin Anna's 306 00:14:15,160 --> 00:14:17,360 wedding to defend her actions on May's birthday. 307 00:14:17,880 --> 00:14:20,440 Rachel deliberately disregarded the fact that Anna had 308 00:14:20,440 --> 00:14:23,400 constantly emphasized that she had no issue with the pregnancy 309 00:14:23,400 --> 00:14:26,120 and wedding taking place at the same time and that May was 310 00:14:26,120 --> 00:14:29,200 actually a fetus At the time, I initially made an effort to 311 00:14:29,200 --> 00:14:32,440 comprehend her viewpoint. Then, though, her text became 312 00:14:32,440 --> 00:14:34,720 more sinister. Rachel said that she was 313 00:14:34,720 --> 00:14:37,160 concerned that her children would no longer value her as 314 00:14:37,160 --> 00:14:38,920 much now that May was in our lives. 315 00:14:39,440 --> 00:14:41,760 She said that she had thought Anna would be angry about the 316 00:14:41,760 --> 00:14:44,960 pregnancy because, as she put it, that's what a normal woman 317 00:14:44,960 --> 00:14:47,680 would feel. However, she didn't like it when 318 00:14:47,680 --> 00:14:50,240 she saw us all thrilled about the wedding and the pregnancy. 319 00:14:50,720 --> 00:14:53,640 She wanted us to be envious and competitive instead of pleased 320 00:14:53,640 --> 00:14:55,040 that we were happy for each other. 321 00:14:55,480 --> 00:14:58,560 Rachel continued by saying that she felt devalued because May 322 00:14:58,560 --> 00:15:01,120 had replaced her as her children's unifying factor. 323 00:15:01,560 --> 00:15:04,320 She also said that she had anticipated Anna would snap at 324 00:15:04,320 --> 00:15:06,640 her for drawing attention away from the wedding because of 325 00:15:06,640 --> 00:15:09,280 May's birth. Rachel felt supplanted when it 326 00:15:09,280 --> 00:15:12,800 didn't occur and May was the only topic of conversation I was 327 00:15:12,800 --> 00:15:14,560 no longer able to read by this time. 328 00:15:15,040 --> 00:15:18,040 Telling Rick that she was insane and dangerous for all of us, I 329 00:15:18,040 --> 00:15:21,680 requested him to ban her number. Since reading those texts, I've 330 00:15:21,680 --> 00:15:23,440 been suffering from a persistent headache. 331 00:15:23,920 --> 00:15:27,080 How a 50 year old woman could compete with A7 week old infant 332 00:15:27,080 --> 00:15:28,960 is beyond me. I don't get it. 333 00:15:29,040 --> 00:15:31,600 And to be honest, I'm done attempting to figure out why she 334 00:15:31,600 --> 00:15:33,560 does it. Both Emma and Anna were 335 00:15:33,560 --> 00:15:36,120 similarly horrified when we shared Rachel's mails to them. 336 00:15:36,600 --> 00:15:39,720 They hypothesized that she might be experiencing A manic episode. 337 00:15:40,200 --> 00:15:42,760 Emma even volunteered to fly down and have a facility 338 00:15:42,760 --> 00:15:45,200 evaluate Rachel. I acknowledge that it was a 339 00:15:45,200 --> 00:15:48,160 smart concept, but I made it plain that I no longer wanted to 340 00:15:48,160 --> 00:15:51,200 interact with Rachel. Her actions were too risky and 341 00:15:51,200 --> 00:15:53,240 unpredictable. Second update. 342 00:15:53,440 --> 00:15:55,920 Rachel is currently the subject of a restraining order. 343 00:15:56,400 --> 00:15:59,400 We are exercising caution even though she hasn't tried anything 344 00:15:59,400 --> 00:16:02,360 since the late night event. Emma carried out her plan, 345 00:16:02,520 --> 00:16:05,600 consulted A psychologist and a psychiatrist, and had Rachel 346 00:16:05,600 --> 00:16:08,000 tested. Although Rachel's behavior had 347 00:16:08,000 --> 00:16:11,240 no underlying medical 'cause she was diagnosed with generalized 348 00:16:11,240 --> 00:16:14,480 anxiety disorder, the next course of action recommended by 349 00:16:14,480 --> 00:16:17,720 the specialists was therapy. Emma made the decision to cut 350 00:16:17,720 --> 00:16:20,320 all communication with Rachel following this disclosure. 351 00:16:20,760 --> 00:16:23,320 She stated that she would be happy to assist if Rachel had a 352 00:16:23,320 --> 00:16:26,160 medical condition, but Emma can no longer put up with her now 353 00:16:26,160 --> 00:16:28,680 that it is obvious that her acts are motivated by hatred. 354 00:16:29,160 --> 00:16:31,280 I share the sentiment and fully comprehend it. 355 00:16:31,760 --> 00:16:34,440 If Rachel's behavior had been the result of a real mental 356 00:16:34,440 --> 00:16:36,560 illness, I might have felt some pity for her. 357 00:16:37,040 --> 00:16:39,320 But we can't make amends with her now that we know this is 358 00:16:39,320 --> 00:16:42,040 just who she is. The purpose of the restraining 359 00:16:42,040 --> 00:16:44,560 order is to protect Rick, May, and myself. 360 00:16:45,080 --> 00:16:48,240 Rachel has shown herself to be unsafe on 2 occasions, and her 361 00:16:48,240 --> 00:16:51,360 particular animosity against May makes her much more hazardous. 362 00:16:51,840 --> 00:16:54,600 We cannot compromise on keeping her away from our family. 363 00:16:55,040 --> 00:16:57,360 This, I believe, will be my last update. 364 00:16:57,880 --> 00:17:00,240 I hope I never have to talk about this whole experience 365 00:17:00,240 --> 00:17:00,640 again.