I was sweating bullets as I faced my mother-in-law, Daphne, in a restaurant. How did she know about my sensitive case involving the Johnsons’ embryos? I hadn’t mentioned it, and for good reason.

“So, did Mrs. Johnson get custody of them or what?” she asked, casually sipping her iced tea. My heart raced as I demanded to know how she knew. Daphne nonchalantly confessed that she had snooped through my office while I was in the shower.

My blood ran cold. “What exactly did you see?” I managed to ask, gripping my chopsticks tightly.

With a gleam in her eyes, she recounted details that could ruin my career. “You had no right to look at those files!” I hissed, fury rising. I stood up abruptly, making the nearby diners stare. “We’re leaving. Now.”

On the drive home, my mind raced with anger and panic. Once inside, I confronted her. “How did you get into my office?” She sheepishly admitted to borrowing a key from my husband’s desk. I was furious. “Pack your bags. You’re leaving.”

“But I’m here for another week!” she protested. I wasn’t having it. I ordered her an Uber and shoved her out the door as she pleaded for a conversation.

The hours that followed were filled with anxiety as I called my law partner for advice. When my husband finally called, I blurted out what had happened. There was silence on the other end.

“Your mother’s on her way to the airport,” I said, struggling to hold it together.

When he came home, the tension between us was palpable. He questioned whether she meant to snoop, which only fueled my frustration. “She could ruin my career!” I shouted.

After arguing, he decided to call her, trying to diffuse the situation. When he returned, he told me she was at the airport, asking if we would buy her a ticket home. I laughed bitterly at her nerve. I agreed to purchase a ticket but made it clear she wasn’t welcome back until she understood the gravity of her actions.

We spent the evening discussing boundaries and consequences, trying to rebuild trust. The next morning, Daphne called, her voice thick with tears. She apologized profusely, claiming she only wanted to help.

I reminded her how serious her actions were. “I need to trust you’ll respect my work and boundaries,” I said firmly. After the call, I felt a mix of relief and lingering anger, but also a glimmer of hope that we could move forward.

What would you have done in my situation?