Disclosure: I used AI to make it vague, fix Grammer and hide identifying information.

So, my MIL (mid 50's) has always been a bit… much. She’s a lifelong hypochondriac, constantly convinced she’s dying, despite doctors telling her she’s fine. Over the years, I’ve learned to smile and nod while she goes on about her “spells” and “energies.” But recently, things went off the rails.

She started seeing a soothsayer who convinced her that her workplace was full of "dark energy" draining her life force. She was advised to resign immediately and "devote herself to healing." Against all logic, she quit her stable job, cashed out her pension

Turns out, a few months ago, she met another soothsayer who told her her “life force was being drained by bad energy” and that only a cleansing ritual—for a fee—could save her. Long story short: she gave away nearly her entire pension and savings to this scam artist. Did not tell anyone while going though her "cleansing".

But here’s the kicker: my husband knew. She told him, swore him to secrecy, and he agreed because “she was embarrassed”. Months ago. And he said nothing. He claims he didn’t want to stress me out and that his mom was “just going through something.”

Fast forward to now: she’s broke, has no savings, no income, and is suddenly turning to us—well, me—for help with groceries, medication, rent, everything. And when I found out? Only because she confessed when she had no money left.

I absolutely lost it. I told my husband it’s insane that he kept this from me and that I feel like I’ve been blindsided into being responsible for someone else’s mess. He says I’m being “heartless” and “it’s not her fault—she was manipulated.” But I say she’s a grown adult who made a choice and hid it while expecting us to clean it up.

So now I’m scrambling to keep our own household afloat and make sure she’s not starving, all because of a decision I had zero say in.

AITA?