{"id":5418,"date":"2026-09-07T19:20:22","date_gmt":"2026-09-07T19:20:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/nexttaleus.com\/?p=5418"},"modified":"2026-09-07T19:20:24","modified_gmt":"2026-09-07T19:20:24","slug":"part-2-my-husbands-family-always-expected-me-to-pay-for-dinner-until-one-night-i-let-them-face-the-bill","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/nexttaleus.com\/?p=5418","title":{"rendered":"PART 2: “My Husband\u2019s Family Always Expected Me to Pay for Dinner\u2014Until One Night, I Let Them Face the Bill”"},"content":{"rendered":"

My Husband\u2019s Family Always Expected Me to Pay for Dinner \u2013 I Finally Taught Them a Lesson They Wouldn\u2019t Forget
\nFor years, I kept paying for my husband\u2019s family dinners because speaking up felt harder than swallowing the cost. Then I discovered that Chris had taken money from a promise we\u2019d made to each other. By his father\u2019s birthday, I wasn\u2019t interested in keeping the peace anymore.
\n<\/span>My husband\u2019s sister was still laughing when the waiter placed six separate checks on the table.
\nSerena opened hers first.
\nHer smile vanished.
\n\u201cWhat is this?\u201d she asked.
\nI took one sip of water.
\n\u201cYour dinner.\u201d
\n\u201cWhat is this?\u201d
\nAcross from me, my husband, Chris, went pale.
\nSerena checked the total again.
\n\u201cFour hundred and twelve dollars?\u201d
\n\u201cYou ordered two lobster tails, a steak, three cocktails, wine, and dessert,\u201d I said.
\n\u201cBut Natalie always pays for dinner.\u201d
\nSerena checked the total again.
\nThe whole table went quiet.
\nThere it was.
\nIt wasn\u2019t a misunderstanding or a joke. It was an expectation.
\nChris leaned toward me.
\n\u201cPlease. Just cover it tonight, Nat.\u201d
\nI looked at him.
\n\u201cJust cover it tonight, Nat.\u201d<\/p>\n

Three days earlier, he\u2019d taken $850 from our anniversary savings to pay for another family dinner.<\/p>\n

That was the moment I stopped being their walking wallet.<\/p>\n

Chris hadn\u2019t understood that yet.<\/p>\n

\n

When I married Chris, I knew he came from a large family.<\/p>\n

There were seven siblings, their spouses, several nieces and nephews, and constant birthdays.<\/p>\n

At first, I loved it.<\/p>\n

I knew he came from a large family.<\/p>\n

I grew up in a small home where dinner was quiet. His family filled every room.<\/p>\n

They talked over one another, stole food from each other\u2019s plates, and turned every meal into an event.<\/p>\n

Then I noticed what happened when the check came.<\/p>\n

Someone checked a phone. Someone took a child to the restroom. Someone suddenly had a story to tell.<\/p>\n

The bill always ended up beside me.<\/p>\n

At first, there were excuses. By the fifth dinner, they simply waited.<\/p>\n

His family filled every room.<\/p>\n

I had a steady job, but I didn\u2019t have an endless supply of money.<\/p>\n

I hated public conflict, so I smiled, handed over my card, and promised myself I would speak up next time.<\/p>\n

Next time kept moving.<\/p>\n

Eventually, Serena gave me a nickname.<\/p>\n

\u201cOur walking credit card.\u201d<\/p>\n

She said it at restaurants, family gatherings, and once in front of a waiter who laughed because everyone else did.<\/p>\n

Next time kept moving.<\/p>\n

Chris never laughed loudly, which almost made it worse.<\/p>\n

He\u2019d give me a weak smile and say, \u201cIt\u2019s only dinner. It\u2019s easier this way.\u201d<\/p>\n

I used to think he meant easier for us.<\/p>\n

I learned what he really meant at our kitchen table.<\/p>\n

\n

I was reviewing our accounts late one night when I saw the transfer.<\/p>\n

Eight hundred and fifty dollars had been moved from our anniversary fund to our credit card.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s only dinner. It\u2019s easier this way.\u201d<\/p>\n

I checked the date.<\/p>\n

It was the morning after the last family dinner.<\/p>\n

Working with numbers had made me careful. I knew every bill and every amount I\u2019d set aside.<\/p>\n

For three years, I\u2019d been saving for our tenth anniversary. During a hard year in our marriage, Chris had promised that we would finally take a trip that was just ours.<\/p>\n

I held on to that promise. I skipped lunches, worked overtime, and kept wearing an old coat.<\/p>\n

I checked the date.<\/p>\n

A month earlier, I\u2019d booked refundable plane tickets.<\/p>\n

Chris didn\u2019t know.<\/p>\n

I was still planning the hotel surprise.<\/p>\n

Then he walked into the kitchen and saw the account open on my laptop.<\/p>\n

He stopped.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy did you take money from our anniversary fund?\u201d I asked.<\/p>\n

Chris didn\u2019t know.<\/p>\n

His eyes moved to the screen.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe card balance was higher than I expected.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI know what the balance was, Chris. I\u2019m asking why our anniversary fund paid for it.\u201d<\/p>\n

He pulled out a chair but didn\u2019t sit down.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll put it back after my bonus.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou spent it on your family\u2019s dinner.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll put it back after my bonus.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe ate too.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI ordered soup and garlic bread.\u201d<\/p>\n

Chris rubbed the back of his neck.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt got out of hand.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOf course it did. Serena ordered lobster, her husband chose the most expensive steak, and their kids added desserts. Then you handed me the bill.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe ate too.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou paid it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBecause you let everyone assume I would.\u201d<\/p>\n

He crossed his arms. \u201cThey\u2019re family.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSo am I, Chris, but you keep choosing them over me.\u201d<\/p>\n

His face tightened.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy are you making this so big?\u201d<\/p>\n

I closed the laptop.<\/p>\n

\u201cThey\u2019re family.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou took money I saved for us without asking me.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI said I\u2019d replace it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWith your next bonus?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd what happens after the next dinner?\u201d<\/p>\n

He looked toward the hallway.<\/p>\n

\u201cI said I\u2019d replace it.\u201d<\/p>\n

That was my answer.<\/p>\n

\u201cYour father\u2019s birthday is the last family dinner I\u2019ll finance,\u201d I said.<\/p>\n

Chris let out a tired breath.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ll talk when you\u2019ve calmed down.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI am calm.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cCome to bed.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI mean it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ll talk when you\u2019ve calmed down.\u201d<\/p>\n

He walked away anyway.<\/p>\n

I stayed at the table with the secret plane tickets in my desk and the missing money on the screen.<\/p>\n

He didn\u2019t know that he\u2019d spent part of our marriage.<\/p>\n

\n

The next morning, I met my best friend, Jenny, for coffee.<\/p>\n

Jenny knew something was wrong before I sat down.<\/p>\n

\u201cChris took money from our anniversary account,\u201d I said. \u201cHe used it to cover another family dinner.\u201d<\/p>\n

He walked away anyway.<\/p>\n

\u201cWithout asking?\u201d<\/p>\n

I nodded.<\/p>\n

\u201cDid you tell him about the tickets?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo. I needed him to understand the betrayal before I showed him what it cost.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd did he?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWithout asking?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe told me to go to bed.\u201d<\/p>\n

Jenny listened without interrupting.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat do you need him to understand?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat every time he says paying is easier, he means easier for everyone except me.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThen stop making it easy.\u201d<\/p>\n

I folded the napkin.<\/p>\n

\u201cI already have.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe told me to go to bed.\u201d<\/p>\n

\n

Before Henry\u2019s birthday dinner, I stood in front of the mirror, fastening my earrings.<\/p>\n

Chris was fighting with his tie.<\/p>\n

\u201cTonight, the checks are separate by household,\u201d I said.<\/p>\n

His hands stopped.<\/p>\n

\u201cNatalie.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m telling you now so you can tell them before anyone orders.\u201d<\/p>\n

His hands stopped.<\/p>\n

\u201cCan we not make Dad\u2019s birthday about money?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m trying to make it about your father. Your family turns every dinner into a free buffet.\u201d<\/p>\n

Chris sighed. \u201cI\u2019ll talk to Serena.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cEveryone, Chris.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou want me to announce that my wife won\u2019t pay?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI want you to tell the adults that they\u2019re responsible for their own households.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll talk to Serena.\u201d<\/p>\n

He pulled the tie tighter.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll handle it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat does that mean?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt means I\u2019ll take care of it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019ll text them?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll speak to them when we arrive.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBefore they order?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat does that mean?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes.\u201d<\/p>\n

He picked up his jacket.<\/p>\n

\u201cI know how to speak to my family.\u201d<\/p>\n

It wasn\u2019t an answer, but it was the last chance I gave him.<\/p>\n

\n

Henry, my father-in-law, was already at the restaurant.<\/p>\n

He picked up his jacket.<\/p>\n

He hugged me. \u201cYou didn\u2019t need to choose somewhere this fancy, Natalie.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI didn\u2019t,\u201d I said.<\/p>\n

Henry glanced at Serena. \u201cI thought so.\u201d<\/p>\n

Serena waved from the center of the table. \u201cCome on, Dad. It\u2019s your birthday.\u201d<\/p>\n

Tarryn, Chris\u2019s mother, kissed my cheek and asked about work.<\/p>\n

Neither she nor Henry had ever called me a wallet, but they\u2019d watched me pay often enough to know the pattern.<\/p>\n

\u201cI thought so.\u201d<\/p>\n

I looked at Chris. \u201cAre you going to tell them?\u201d<\/p>\n

He adjusted his chair. \u201cIn a minute.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou said before anyone ordered.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNatalie, people are still sitting down. Be reasonable, please.\u201d<\/p>\n

He greeted everyone and opened his menu.<\/p>\n

The minute never came.<\/p>\n

\u201cAre you going to tell them?\u201d<\/p>\n

\n

The waiter had barely handed out the menus when Serena raised one finger.<\/p>\n

\u201cThree shrimp cocktails, two bottles of your best red, and extra bread.\u201d<\/p>\n

Henry lowered his menu. \u201cThat sounds like a lot.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s your birthday,\u201d Serena said.<\/p>\n

Then she smiled at me. \u201cBesides, our walking credit card finally got that promotion.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat sounds like a lot.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI didn\u2019t get a promotion,\u201d I said.<\/p>\n

Serena blinked. \u201cReally? Chris said things were going great.\u201d<\/p>\n

I turned to him. \u201cDid you?\u201d<\/p>\n

Chris stared at the steak list. \u201cShe misunderstood.\u201d<\/p>\n

A few people laughed anyway.<\/p>\n

\u201cAre you going to correct the rest?\u201d I asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cDid you?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s harmless,\u201d he murmured. \u201cLeave it.\u201d<\/p>\n

Serena leaned toward her sons. \u201cGet whatever you want. Grandpa only turns sixty-five once.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cCan I get the biggest steak?\u201d one of them asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cAdd lobster,\u201d Serena said. \u201cTonight\u2019s covered.\u201d<\/p>\n

I looked at Chris.<\/p>\n

He ordered the ribeye without meeting my eyes.<\/p>\n

\u201cTonight\u2019s covered.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd for you?\u201d the waiter asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cHouse salad, baked potato, and water.\u201d<\/p>\n

Serena laughed. \u201cAt a steakhouse?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI know what I\u2019m paying for.\u201d<\/p>\n

Chris shifted in his chair. \u201cNatalie\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

I stood. \u201cExcuse me. I\u2019m going to the restroom.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAt a steakhouse?\u201d<\/p>\n

Instead, I walked straight to the waiter.<\/p>\n

\u201cSeparate checks, please. We\u2019ll cover Henry and Tarryn, who are seated across from us. No one else.\u201d<\/p>\n

He nodded. \u201cUnderstood, ma\u2019am.\u201d<\/p>\n

I returned to the table with my heart pounding.<\/p>\n

I ate while Serena ordered another bottle of wine and Chris avoided my eyes.<\/p>\n

I wasn\u2019t going to rescue anyone from the consequences they had earned.<\/p>\n

\u201cUnderstood, ma\u2019am.\u201d<\/p>\n

\n

After the plates were cleared, Henry set down his napkin.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is more than I needed,\u201d he said. \u201cBut I\u2019m glad everyone\u2019s here.\u201d<\/p>\n

I reached into my purse.<\/p>\n

\u201cChris, I brought something for you.\u201d<\/p>\n

He looked at the envelope. \u201cWhat is it?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is more than I needed.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOpen it.\u201d<\/p>\n

He pulled out the printed plane tickets.<\/p>\n

His face changed at once.<\/p>\n

\u201cAre these ours?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThey were.\u201d<\/p>\n

For one second, he smiled.<\/p>\n

\u201cI bought them months ago for our anniversary,\u201d I said. \u201cI was saving for the hotel.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOpen it.\u201d<\/p>\n

Chris folded the pages too quickly. \u201cNatalie, not now.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBut the hotel money paid for your family\u2019s last dinner.\u201d<\/p>\n

Tarryn turned toward him. \u201cWhat does she mean?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe card balance was high,\u201d Chris said. \u201cI was putting the money back after my bonus.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou took it without asking me,\u201d I said.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat does she mean?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI was fixing a bill.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou were fixing the result of staying quiet.\u201d<\/p>\n

Serena put down her glass. \u201cWhy are we discussing your marriage at Dad\u2019s birthday?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBecause, Serena, you made my money part of dinner before we\u2019d even ordered.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI never forced you to pay.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI was fixing a bill.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou called me a credit card, ordered wine, and told your kids that tonight was covered.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt was a joke.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThen who was supposed to pay for the joke?\u201d<\/p>\n

Before Serena answered, the waiter returned with several folders.<\/p>\n

He placed one in front of each household.<\/p>\n

She opened hers and stared.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat is this?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt was a joke.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYour check,\u201d I said.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s over $400.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou ordered steak, lobster, drinks, and dessert. Surely you can\u2019t be surprised.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBut you always pay.\u201d<\/p>\n

I turned to Chris. \u201cI told you everyone was paying tonight. Did you tell them?\u201d<\/p>\n

Every face shifted toward him.<\/p>\n

\u201cYour check.\u201d<\/p>\n

He cleared his throat. \u201cI was going to.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI didn\u2019t want to spoil Dad\u2019s night.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSo you chose to let me down again. You let everyone walk all over me.\u201d<\/p>\n

Chris leaned closer. \u201cJust cover it tonight. We\u2019ll work it out at home.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe already tried that.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI was going to.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re humiliating me.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWere you humiliated when Serena called me a credit card?\u201d<\/p>\n

He looked away.<\/p>\n

\u201cWere you humiliated when you took our anniversary money?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNatalie, please.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOr did it only become humiliating when you had to answer for it?\u201d<\/p>\n

He looked away.<\/p>\n

Serena shoved the folder toward the middle of the table.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s the point,\u201d I said. \u201cYou ordered it because you thought the money was mine.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou set us up. I can\u2019t afford this.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNeither could I. I just kept covering it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s the point.\u201d<\/p>\n

One relative asked the waiter to remove an unopened bottle. Another canceled dessert.<\/p>\n

Henry reached for his wallet.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll pay for myself and your mother.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYour meals are my gift, Henry,\u201d I said.<\/p>\n

He paused. \u201cBecause you want them to be, Nat?\u201d<\/p>\n

The question caught in my chest.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll pay for myself.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThen thank you, darling.\u201d<\/p>\n

Tarryn looked at me. \u201cI thought you and Chris had offered.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI did at first. Then everyone stopped asking.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe should\u2019ve noticed,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

Henry looked around at his children. \u201cWe should have.\u201d<\/p>\n

He didn\u2019t take over the bill. He simply stopped pretending not to see the problem.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe should have.\u201d<\/p>\n

\n

Outside, Chris caught up with me near the car.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou embarrassed me, Natalie.\u201d<\/p>\n

I unlocked the door. \u201cI gave you three chances to tell them.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou showed everyone the tickets.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou let them think my money belonged to them. Why?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou embarrassed me.\u201d<\/p>\n

Chris looked back at the restaurant.<\/p>\n

\u201cI wanted them to think I was doing well.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou let them laugh at me because it made you look successful.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI didn\u2019t see it that way.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo. You didn\u2019t see me at all.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cTell me how to fix it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou didn\u2019t see me at all.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou start by carrying the cost yourself.\u201d<\/p>\n

\n

The next morning, I canceled the flights. The refund went back into the anniversary fund. Then I moved the savings into an account that Chris couldn\u2019t access without my approval.<\/p>\n

When he asked if I was leaving, I told him the truth.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m not deciding that today, but the marriage where your family gets my loyalty while I get your excuses is over.\u201d<\/p>\n

I told him the truth.<\/p>\n

We started counseling. It wasn\u2019t a promise that I would stay. It was Chris\u2019s chance to prove that he understood what he\u2019d done.<\/p>\n

He repaid the money himself, even selling his motorcycle.<\/p>\n

\n

Months later, he placed the final deposit slip on the kitchen counter.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s all back,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe money is.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s all back.\u201d<\/p>\n

He nodded. \u201cI know that doesn\u2019t restore your trust.\u201d<\/p>\n

Serena complained in the family chat, so I sent one message.<\/p>\n

\u201cI paid for Henry and Tarryn. Everyone else paid for what they ordered. I won\u2019t apologize for that.\u201d<\/p>\n

Then I muted the chat.<\/p>\n

\n

Six months later, Serena invited us to a diner.<\/p>\n

When the server arrived, Chris answered first.<\/p>\n

I muted the chat.<\/p>\n

\u201cSeparate checks by household.\u201d<\/p>\n

Serena sighed. \u201cLike always.\u201d<\/p>\n

Chris met her eyes. \u201cYes. Like always.\u201d<\/p>\n

Outside, he told me that he\u2019d started saving for our trip again.<\/p>\n

\u201cDo you think we\u2019ll go?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cKeep saving,\u201d I said. \u201cTrust takes longer than money.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cLike always.\u201d<\/p>\n

For the first time, I left dinner carrying only my purse.<\/p>\n

Everything else was finally where it belonged…..<\/p>\n

Click Here to continuous Read\u200b\u200b\u200b\u200b Full Ending Story\ud83d\udc49PART(3): “My Husband\u2019s Family Always Expected Me to Pay for Dinner\u2014Until One Night, I Let Them Face the Bill”<\/a><\/h3>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

My Husband\u2019s Family Always Expected Me to Pay for Dinner \u2013 I Finally Taught Them a Lesson They Wouldn\u2019t Forget For years, I kept paying for my husband\u2019s family dinners … <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":4139,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-5418","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-story"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/nexttaleus.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5418","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/nexttaleus.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/nexttaleus.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nexttaleus.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nexttaleus.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=5418"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/nexttaleus.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5418\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":5426,"href":"https:\/\/nexttaleus.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5418\/revisions\/5426"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nexttaleus.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/4139"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/nexttaleus.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=5418"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nexttaleus.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=5418"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nexttaleus.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=5418"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}