DEAR EMILY,

I have a small but growing business. I started it all by myself, despite my wife’s mocking words—“You’ll never make it!”—roaring in my ears from Day One.

She is a stay-at-home mom who likes to be waited on hand and foot. Our three children are in college.

When my business took off, I was able to take care of my siblings’ needs as well as my wife’s family who, when they lost their small fortune, suddenly felt the world owed them.

While my two siblings have been helpful in my business, my in-laws were just content to send me bills for their children’s education, hospitalization and household expenses.

I never complained because I was just happy to share my good fortune. But when I had a stroke suddenly, their evil intention became evident.

They told my wife immediately, within earshot, in my hospital room, to put our properties in the province in their name, while she could. That didn’t happen.

Then one day, she just went berserk after becoming jealous of my office manager. She had this notion we were having an affair. She went on a rampage and started cutting up my clothes.

She hacked my shoes in half and smashed the windows of the trucks and cars parked nearby. She was so uncontrollable, I couldn’t do anything but flee for my safety.

I was told that over that weekend, she went to an upscale mall and used our joint credit cards to the max and bought all brand-name items she could get her hands on.

I’ve been staying with my sister since. I can’t risk being near her. I am not a violent man and my patience is beyond question, according to my family and friends.

I am just afraid that I’d suddenly have a debilitating stroke and see her and her relatives turn everything I’ve built into mush.

OMG

Goodness gracious, a wife from hell! Without even thinking what she’d do next, shouldn’t your priority be to cut your losses?

Did you document the destruction she caused? Perhaps taken photos, kept receipts from repair shops detailing the damage done? Did you even think of calling the police? Probably not. That would have been farthest from your mind.

Whatever caused her maniacal outrage, get yourself a lawyer for advice on how to protect yourself and your assets from her.

It’s imperative that you consider filing a petition for separation of properties lest she squander everything you’ve built.

If that will cost you your health, give her whatever is due her under the law. Your health is more important than the business she is trying to destroy. You can always start from square one.

And, more important, find a doctor—to have her mind examined! No sane, thinking person, however angry, could wreak such havoc with the intensity of a tsunami. Some harsh words perhaps could have been thrown about, or doors banged with force—but this?

Was she so blinded she couldn’t see in her derangement that your business was really for your children? Has any illness befallen her lately that stirred her dormant cuckoo’s nest?

Or could her siblings have been planting malicious thoughts in her already troubled mind?

Take heed. Take heart. Forewarned is forearmed. The worst may not even be over yet!

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