My best friend worked for us as a housekeeper; but after she moved in, my 70-year-old father-in-law became overly cheerful, and then he demanded that we soundproof his room

I got married far away from my family, and with so much work I barely had time to stay at home and look after my sick father-in-law. That’s why, when I learned that my best friend urgently needed a job, I decided to help her.

I hired her as a housekeeper, paying her 10,000 a month. It seemed like the perfect solution: I would have someone I trusted, and at the same time I could support her financially.

At first, everything went smoothly. My friend worked wholeheartedly, and I felt calm. But after a couple of weeks, strange things began to happen.

My father-in-law, who had always complained about being tired and could hardly get out of bed, suddenly transformed: he woke up energetic, humming to himself, full of life.

It was as if he had become years younger. My friend, on the other hand, looked worse every day: her face grew pale, dark circles appeared under her eyes, her smile became forced. To my questions, she only answered:
— “Everything’s fine, I’m just still getting used to the work…”

But her eyes betrayed her anxiety. At night I noticed that her room was empty, and in the morning she came back exhausted. And every time my father-in-law entered the room, she turned away, as if trying to hide her fear.

The last straw came when my father-in-law insisted on remodeling the house — he demanded a room with soundproofing and an inner lock. We were shocked: why would a seventy-year-old man need such conditions?

I couldn’t take it anymore and pulled my friend aside. Her lips trembled, and at last she confessed. When I heard what she said, I was in complete shock

— “Your crazy father-in-law calls me to his room every night. He forces me to lie down next to him, saying that otherwise he can’t fall asleep. He threatens that if I refuse, he’ll tell things that will get me thrown out of this house… He also said he photographed me while I was bathing, and if I refuse, all the material will go online.

I’m scared, you understand? He whispers that no one will believe me, but everyone will believe him. He says he loves me and wants me to become his wife. He’s insane, do you understand? And he could do anything to us.”

Her words left me in shock. Everything became clear: his sudden vigor and her exhaustion were the result of his cruel manipulation.

I sent him to a nursing home, but the friendship with her could no longer be saved — her betrayal and silence hurt me too deeply.