Larissa won the mother-in-law lottery with Julia, who became like a second mother to her. Struggling to get pregnant, Larissa leaned on Julia for support. Months after their baby was born, Toby found something that made them question exactly how Julia had helped.

From the start, Julia embraced Larissa as family. She was vibrant, always in and out of their home, cooking and bringing warmth. With Larissa’s parents far away, Julia filled the role of a mother figure nearby.

After three years of marriage, Larissa and Toby decided they were ready for a baby. But after months of trying without success, doubts crept in. Julia took Larissa to a wellness coach, arranged fertility massages, and even gifted them a new mattress.

“Maybe your body just needs rest,” Julia suggested. Though skeptical, Larissa and Toby accepted the gift. Not long after, Larissa discovered she was pregnant. Initially hesitant to share the news, she finally told Toby, and they celebrated. Once in the second trimester, they shared their joy with family. Soon, baby Maddie arrived, and Julia stepped in, helping them adjust to parenthood.

One night, after Maddie had a blowout, Toby stripped the bed and found something unusual—a small silk bag pinned under the mattress protector. Inside were dried herbs.

“It’s fertility herbs! It has to be!” Toby said, uneasy.

Doubt and unease settled in. Julia had always been honest—why hadn’t she told them about this? Could the herbs have helped? That night, Toby refused to sleep on the mattress. By morning, he set it on fire, unwilling to keep something he didn’t understand.

When Julia arrived, Toby confronted her. She admitted she just wanted to help.

“I knew you were struggling. If it worked, I thought you wouldn’t care how.”

Toby, still upset, demanded full transparency moving forward. Julia, remorseful, promised honesty.

Larissa felt torn—grateful yet unsettled. Could natural remedies really work? While Toby searched for a new mattress, Julia baked, and Larissa cherished her time with Maddie.

What do you think? Do you believe in old wives’ tales and natural remedies?