My mother-in-law, Nilofar, gave everything—her house, car, savings—to her favorite daughter, Soraya. When Soraya refused to take her in, Nilofar demanded that my husband, Malek, and I fund her retirement. We said no. She retaliated by calling the police, accusing Malek of stealing from her, and later even sued us for “elder neglect.”
During the case, we learned Soraya had secretly sold the house and left Nilofar in a cheap rental. Then Soraya admitted Nilofar had early-onset Parkinson’s and was terrified. Malek helped her see a doctor and forced Soraya to drop the lawsuit.
A month later, Nilofar called to apologize and left us two old gold bangles—one engraved with Malek’s name. We haven’t forgotten what she did, but we send groceries, pay for a nurse, and keep our boundaries. Because in the end, compassion doesn’t erase the past—but it defines who we choose to be.
