I gave my mom an RV to help her fulfill her dream of a road trip, but then my mother-in-law, Rebecca, was furious when she found out.
She shouted, “I worked tirelessly to take care of you during your confinement and raised your son until he was three and I only get 2,800 dollars a month! While your old mother just mentioned wanting a road trip, you bought her an RV worth over 140,000 dollars! Why?! What if she’s lonely and wants to drive the RV out to have a secret meeting with an old man? Aren’t you afraid she’ll crash into a car and die?!”
I was usually a calm person, but hearing her rants, I was angry and slapped her.
“You may be that kind of person, but my mom isn’t! If you dare to talk nonsense again, I’ll rip your mouth off!”
——
On my mom’s 55th birthday, I gave her an RV, including the modifications, which cost over 140,000 dollars.
My dad passed away early and my mom raised me alone, enduring so much hardship. Since she was young, she dreamed of a road trip. Now that I was able to live by myself, I wanted to help her make this dream come true.
My mom, Elise, burst into tears when she saw the car. She happily took a photo and posted it on her WhatsApp’s status: [My daughter is so thoughtful! After working so hard for most of her life, she can finally enjoy life. I’m looking forward to my road trip!]
I immediately liked and commented: [Mom, have fun! Be safe!]
Unexpectedly, this joy didn’t last even the entire night.
***
I got home from overtime at around 10 o’clock. As soon as I walked in, the nanny, Nancy, came up to me with a look of anxiety.
She said, “Madam, you’re finally back! Your mother and your mother in-law had an argument! Your mother in-law was just carrying her luggage and saying she was going back to her hometown!”
I was confused hearing this. I asked, “What’s going on? Why are they arguing out of the blue?”
Before Nancy could elaborate, I saw Rebecca sitting on the sofa, looking aggrieved, with a suitcase at her feet.
When Rebecca saw me, tears welled up and she cried, “This is unbearable! I get up early and work late to take care of you and raise your son. Even if you don’t give me any credit, I’ve definitely worked hard, haven’t I? Meanwhile, what did Elise do? She comes here and scolds me! I’m so old, yet I still have to endure this kind of bullying…”
She cried even harder, “I finally understand. I’m an outsider in this family! I might as well go back home, where at least no one will bully me!”
I was confused and was about to ask about the whole story when Elise emerged from the guest room. Her voice was trembling, clearly furious.
“I’m bullying you? Ask yourself! Who’s been gossiping and slandering my daughter behind her back?!”
She shoved her phone screen in my face. “Look for yourself! What nonsense did she say in the group chat!”
I took the phone and saw the chat history from Rebecca’s Sunset Square Dance group chat. She had screenshotted a recent WhatsApp status post from Elise and complained in the group.
[Hey guys, I’m so pissed! Just because my in-law said she wanted to go on a road trip, my daughter-in-law bought her an RV worth over 140,000 dollars without blinking an eye! I worked so hard to take care of her during her confinement and raised my grandson with great care until he was three years old and she only gives me 2,800 dollars a month! Why do I have to endure this unfairness?!]
Her friends chimed in when they read this.
Audrey: [Don’t be angry, dear friend. After all, your daughter-in-law isn’t your biological child.]
Shannon: [Yeah, 2,800 dollars isn’t a small amount. My daughter-in-law was in confinement and I was taking care of the child and I even had to pay for food, yet I didn’t even get anything!]
Rebecca immediately responded: [What do you know? My daughter-in-law runs a big company and makes over 140,000 dollars a month! Even our nanny makes 4,200 dollars a month! She only gives me 2,800 dollars. Isn’t that like giving money to a beggar?]
