My fiancée’s family and mine (both sides are affluent) agreed to get us a house. Her family purchased the lot, and my family invested half the amount of the lot and built the house. I was to be responsible for the mortgage.
When the house was completed, her parents accused me of not investing all the money that I'd promised, and said I was lying, despite seeing ALL the copies of returned checks and final lien waivers.
However, my fiancée believed me.
The families got together to talk, but started yelling at each other. Days later, my fiancée came over with her sister, and yelled at me that I never treated her right, and that I always take my parents side. She wouldn't talk to me, so I went on vacation for two weeks, and then met her when she was leaving work. She was so scared and nervous. All she said was, "it can't work out, but I don't know what the future holds."
Meanwhile, her father has the engagement ring ($25,000) which he promised me they'd return after we solved the problem of returning my money for the house.
I retained an attorney; he sent notice that we need all our money back or we'll sue. That sent everyone over the edge.
She was the perfect girl for me; we NEVER had one argument during five years. I wrote the family and her, apologizing for anything I did, even though I didn't do anything. I love her a lot but understand it will never be what it should've been.
Where do I go from here? And what are my legal rights for the ring and the money on the house?

- Confused and Angry!

When affluent parents try to make life too easy for their grown children; they sometimes also exert their power. That's trouble that can tear the young couple apart.
Regarding the ring and money you've spent, continue getting legal advice, but tone down your lawyer. Tell him you want a settlement, not revenge. Instead of scare tactics he needs to lay out the law on this failed business merger.
As for your relationship, your fiancée is correct that the future is unknown. For you two to get back together she'd have to feel strongly enough to ignore her parents' warnings; and you'd have to be big enough to forgive them and put this bad episode behind you.
Most important, both of you would need to try to live far more independently from your families, without relying on them for your lifestyle. If you still love each other, creating your own home base will forge the union you need to handle both sets of parents.

My boyfriend of seven months once had feelings for a woman who wasn't interested in having a relationship. But now they hang out a lot, though he won't tell me how much. I only learned of her recently and I'm worried that he still has feelings for her. I said that it upset me when she called and he said she wasn't important to him and he'd stop talking to her. Yet I still feel that he initiates their phone contact and meetings.
Recently he's been acting suspiciously by taking his phone to the bathroom.
When confronted, he got defensive, at first denying that he brought his phone with him.
I want to be happy and secure within the relationship but he won't tell me when they hang out and this makes me crazy jealous and suspicious.

- Hurting

His phone call from the bathroom is more than a clue. It shows he's playing you for a fool.
However, a partner who's admittedly "crazy jealous" can sometimes push the other person to secretive behaviour, even when it involves only a friendship.
You're both pushing each others' buttons: He's never resolved his feelings for this woman, and you being sensitive to that fact is keeping you insecure.
You two need The Talk: Is he with you for the long run or are you his "rebound woman" because he couldn't have her? Do not accuse, or beg, just get the answer you need to decide whether you're "In" or "Out" with him.
If you stay together, you both need to agree on normal boundaries - e.g. if he's such close friends with this woman, you need to meet her and go out with them sometimes too. Then stop monitoring him.