My Family Moved In and Took Over My Home — Here’s How I Took Back Control

My Mom, Brother, and SIL Made My Life Hell After Moving Into My House—I Endured Them for Months Until I Finally Put Them in Their Place

I kept the house my dad left me in remembrance of him. I assumed it would be temporary when my relatives moved in without my invitation.

I became their personal maid after they took over. I put up with it until they attempted to evict me from my own house. It all changed with a single phone call I made.

I brushed my fingertips over Dad’s framed picture while the old grandfather clock in the hall chimed. Even though it had been a full year since we buried him, the pain still seemed to be fresh.

“Dad,” I muttered, “I really do miss you.”

When Mom entered, she gave me that half-resentful, half-pity expression. Since the reading of the will, it had become her defining expression.

“Katie, quit sulking.” Weeping won’t bring him back; he’s gone!”

Her coldness made me cringe. My father left me 90 percent of everything, including our century-old family house, after he passed away from cancer last year, according to the lawyer. Tyler, my brother, and Mom each received $10,000. I was still troubled by the image of Mom’s face twisted in anger at the lawyer’s office.

“I’m not moping… just remembering.”

With a snort, she headed into the kitchen. “Well, keep that in mind when you dust those shelves. You still don’t know how to maintain a clean environment at the age of twenty. This house is in disarray.

I refrained from speaking. I would allow Mom to pretend that she still owned the home for a full year. Before everything changed one wet May afternoon, everything was simpler than fighting.

The sound of many luggage rolling across the hardwood flooring my father had painstakingly refinished years prior reached me as the front door slammed open.

“Hey? Is anyone home? The words of my brother Tyler echoed loudly throughout the home.

I froze as soon as I entered the foyer. Tyler was standing there with at least eight enormous luggage and his wife, Gwen.

“What’s all this?” With my stomach already in knots, I asked.

With a smile, Tyler put down a duffel bag. “Astonishment! After our lease expired, we reasoned, “There’s plenty of space here, so why waste money on rent?”

“You’re… relocating? Have you discussed this with Mom? She didn’t say anything to me.

Mom responded, “Of course they did,” as she emerged behind me. “I told them it was a wonderful idea.”

I looked over at her. “This isn’t your house to offer.”

The room’s temperature appeared to drop by ten degrees.

“What did you just say to me?”

“Mom, this isn’t your house,” I said. I should have been the first to inquire.

Gwen grinned next to Tyler as he chuckled. “Get moving, Katie. Avoid being absurd. The family’s residence is here. We are related.

Gwen continued, “You should be grateful for the company,” as she started to go to the stairs. “Which guest room can we take?”

As they strode past me with their possessions, I stood stunned into silence.

Mom called after them and said, “We’ll take the blue room,” “It has the best morning light.”

Mom gave me a patronizing pat on the shoulder as they roared upstairs. “Katie, stop fussing. Having everyone together will be pleasant.

I felt as though I had somehow entered my own house as I watched her follow them up.

I muttered, “But it’s my house,” to no one.

Hell ensued for two months. Food disappeared from the refrigerator, washing waited in the washer until it smelled like mildew, and dishes piled high. No bill assistance, no rent, and not even a “thank you.”

One morning, when I was doing the breakfast dishes once more, Tyler and Gwen entered the kitchen, looking almost radiant.

With his arm around Gwen’s waist, he declared, “Katie, we have fantastic news.”

Gwen held a pregnancy test kit and smiled. “We’re pregnant!”

“Oh,” I replied, truly taken aback. “Congratulations!”

“I guess that means we won’t be moving out anytime soon,” Gwen continued, wearing the smirk I’d come to detest.

I gripped the dish I was cleaning tightly. “I’ve actually been meaning to discuss that with you two. I believe it’s time for you to get a place of your own. I refused to—”

Tyler interrupted, laughing. “Not taking place, sis. If your sister-in-law were pregnant, you wouldn’t toss her out, would you? That is severe.

“I live here. Dad let me handle it.

Mom walked into the kitchen and interrupted, saying, “It’s the family home,” Additionally, they are beginning a family. What’s the matter with you? “Girl, have some empathy!”

Three sets of eyes gazed at me as though I were the irrational one.

I finally answered, “Fine,” putting the dish down to avoid breaking it. “But things need to change around here.”

With a snort, Tyler opened the refrigerator. “Whatever you say, princess.”

Mom lingered as they laughed and left.

Her words, “You need to be more accommodating,” “Gwen is expecting a child. She now need extra attention.

I looked back at the sink with their soiled dishes in it. “All right. Extra attention.”

I had no idea that “special care” would turn into my worst nightmare.

“Hey, Katie! “Awaken, Katie!”

At 5:10 a.m., I was startled awake by my mother shaking my shoulder.

“What?” I muttered, confused. “Is there a fire?”

“Gwen wants something to drink. At six o’clock, McDonald’s opens.

I blinked, perplexed. “So…?”

“Go get her one.”

“What??”

“Look, my book club is at eight o’clock. Tyler has an early appointment. You must leave.

“But I have class at nine—”

“She’s pregnant with your niece or nephew!” Mom lost her temper. “Awaken. “Now.”

That’s how I ended up shivering outside a McDonald’s before the sun came up, waiting for them to open so I could satisfy my sister-in-law’s hunger for a McMuffin.

Gwen took one bite, scowled, and pushed it away when I eventually made it home.

“Now it’s cold. I no longer desire it.

I watched her leave as I stood there, exhausted and running late for my study group.

Mom gave me a fierce look. “You should have driven faster.”

And that was only the start. I somehow ended up taking on the roles of chef, punching bag, and errand runner because of Gwen’s pregnancy. “She’s pregnant!” was the response to any objection, as though those two words explained everything.

My birthday arrived and passed a few weeks later with hardly any recognition. My favorite chocolate cupcakes with cream cheese frosting were delivered by my buddy Zoe.

I told Mom, “Save me one,” and left for my part-time work. “I’ll have it when I get back.”

When I came back eight hours later, all six cupcakes had been consumed.

“Where are my cupcakes?” I knew the answer when I asked.

Gwen patted her fairly round belly as she passed. “Aw, those were incredible. I was powerless to stop myself. She smiled that self-satisfied smile. “Blame the baby!”

When I glanced at Mom, she simply shrugged. “She’s eating for two!”

I purchased a mini-fridge for my bedroom that evening. The following day, I discovered that Mom had let Gwen in nonetheless using her extra key.

“Family doesn’t lock each other out,” Mom reprimanded me when I called her out.

“Family doesn’t steal from each other either,” I retorted promptly.

Later, Tyler cornered me after overhearing. “Avoid being so self-centered. It’s only food.

It wasn’t just food, though. It had to do with respect, something I obviously wouldn’t receive in my own house.

On a Thursday, the breaking point occurred. Before leaving for my part-time work at the consulting firm, I had been up since the break to finish a project for my business class. I didn’t have time to pack a lunch or have breakfast.

All day long, my stomach rumbled in agony. I was so hungry that I felt dizzy by the time I arrived home at seven.

I quickly prepared my dad’s recipe for mushroom spaghetti with cream sauce. As I stirred, my mouth watering, the kitchen was filled with a delectable aroma. My phone chimed with an urgent email from my professor just as I was ready to serve myself, and then my friend Kevin called.

I murmured, “Just five minutes,” as I hurried to the bathroom with my phone and placed the hot bowl on the counter

Less than ten minutes after I got back, I came to a complete halt. I was three-quarters of the way through my dinner when Gwen sat at the counter with my fork in her hand.

“GWEN? “What are you doing?”

She didn’t appear guilty at all. “I was hungry.”

“All day, I haven’t eaten! I had that for dinner.

Tears instantly rolled down her cheeks. “I’m expecting a child! I had to eat.

Then prepare your own fucking meals! You have hands! You’re not crippled; you’re pregnant! You’re not a raccoon; you’re a grown woman.”

Attracted by the noise, Tyler and Mom hurried in.

“What the hell is wrong with you?” With a yell, Tyler put his arm around his wife, who was crying.

“My meal was eaten by her! I’m going hungry! I spent the day at work and—”

“Oh, boo-hoo!” he sneered about. “Your niece or nephew is being carried by Gwen. She needs to eat healthily.

“So do I!” My eyes filled with tears of frustration.

Mom came forward, her face contorted in rage. “You’re a self-centered girl. Over food, how dare you yell at a pregnant woman? Your dad would be embarrassed by you.

My heart was cut by that. “Don’t you dare bring Dad into this.”

“Get out!” Tyler pointed to the door and shouted. “Get out of this house and don’t come back until you can apologize!”

I gaped at him in shock. “I own this house! Dad let me handle it.

Gwen snorted, “God, you’re such a broken record,” “‘My house, my house.’” Always Katie, some folks do have serious issues.

“Yeah,” said Mom icily. “This is also our home. Like the place where your brother and his expectant wife are meant to reside while you’re acting like such a self-centered witch. Leave so that we can live in harmony.

A family who didn’t consider me family at all stood around me. In the house my father had given me, there were three faces, twisted with anger and entitlement.

“Fine!” I whispered as I hurried upstairs, my resolve solidifying. I contacted Bob, my dad’s brother, the only person I knew wouldn’t think I was insane, and I locked my door.

On the third ring, he answered.

“Katie? Is everything well, my love?

As I told everything, I started crying into the phone.

Uncle Bob, they want me to leave my own home. I am no longer able to do this.”

“Those ungrateful—” He interrupted himself. “Do you recall my offer to purchase the house? That offer is still in effect. I’ll outbid any local developer.

I glanced around my bedroom, where my father used to read me stories before bed. I had been holding on to the past while allowing the present to become poisonous.

Whispering, “I’ll sell it,” I said. “But I must get them removed. Every one of them.

Uncle Bob said, “Consider it done,” with firmness. “I’ll call my attorney first thing tomorrow.”

The following morning, documents were drafted remarkably quickly. I felt oddly at ease as soon as I entered the living room, where Mom, Tyler, and Gwen were watching TV.

“I have an announcement.”

Tyler hardly looked up. “Go quickly. The program is returning.

I turned the television off.

“Hey!” Gwen objected.

“The house was sold by me. To Uncle Bob. You all have 48 hours to gather your belongings and depart.

There was a deafening hush.

Mom was the first to recover. “You’re joking.”

I gave the documents to her. “No, I’m not. Uncle Bob will begin the improvements tomorrow. On Saturday, he will be changing the locks at midday.

“You can’t do this!” Tyler leaped to his feet and exploded. “Gwen is pregnant!”

“So I’ve heard… about a million times.”

“Where are we supposed to go?” Mom insisted.

I gave a shrug. “It’s not my issue! Dad gave you all money. Work things out.

Gwen put her palm on her belly and exclaimed, “But we’re family,” which was her trump card.

I gave her a chilly glance. “Family doesn’t treat each other the way you’ve treated me.”

Threats, guilt trips, and ultimately frantic pleadings were the next steps in their complaints. After packing my things, I stayed with my buddy Zoe until they left.

Social media messages and texts accusing me of being “heartless” poured in. They were all blocked by me.

I was relieved when I finally saw Uncle Bob to close the deal. The $2 million was enough to radically transform my life.

Uncle Bob informed me, “Your dad would be proud of you,” “Not for selling the house… for standing up for yourself.”

I signed the papers for a modest cottage in a peaceful area across town two weeks later. With my keys in hand, I stood on my new porch when my phone buzzed with another text from Mom:

“We are now homeless because of you. You self-centered monster, I hope you’re content.

After glancing about my comfortable new house, which was at last free of their poison, I blocked her phone and permanently erased it. I have no regrets whatsoever.

Blood is not what defines a family. Respect is at issue. Even if you have the same last name, sometimes the bravest thing you can do is to leave people who don’t respect you.