When my husband told me his cousin, Eric, was coming to stay with us for a few days, I didn’t think much of it. I’d met Eric a couple of times before, and he seemed harmless enough. But over the past week, his stay has become more than I ever imagined, and it’s making me feel increasingly uncomfortable.

At first, Eric was just his usual self—polite but a little quiet. But it didn’t take long for me to notice how often he would hang around, especially when my husband wasn’t home. I’d be in the living room watching TV, and Eric would wander in and sit too close, making strange comments about how relaxing the house was or how “beautiful” my furniture was. The first time he said it, I brushed it off. But when it started happening regularly, I began to feel like he was overstaying his welcome.

Then came the comments about my appearance. It wasn’t blatant flirting, but it was unsettling all the same. “You’re looking great these days,” he’d say, or “You always seem so put together.” I’d smile and try to change the subject, but it felt like every time I was in the same room with him, he’d make some comment that made me cringe. I started wearing baggy sweaters and avoiding eye contact, but it didn’t help much. It’s like he knew I was uncomfortable, but he just kept pushing, getting closer and closer to crossing a line without fully doing so.

One afternoon, I was in the kitchen, trying to prepare dinner, and Eric came in, hovering around me, talking about his life and making strange jokes about how I’d “make a great partner” for someone. I felt trapped in the conversation, unable to get away, until I finally excused myself. My heart was racing, and I felt so uneasy.

I’ve tried to talk to my husband about it, but every time I mention Eric’s behavior, he brushes it off. He thinks I’m just being overly sensitive or that Eric’s just socially awkward. I’m not sure if my husband is blind to it or if he’s just unwilling to address it, but the lack of support only adds to my frustration.

Now, I’m at a loss. Every day feels like I’m walking on eggshells, trying to avoid Eric without being rude or making things awkward. But I don’t know how much longer I can handle it. The tension in the house is growing, and I can’t shake the feeling that I’m being disrespected in my own home. I need to figure out how to confront this situation, but the idea of causing a rift between my husband and his cousin is making me hesitate. I’m not sure what to do next, but I know I can’t keep feeling this way, stuck in a situation that no one else seems to notice.