Over a year ago, my daughter met and decided to marry a man who lived over 200km away from us. He came from a poor family, with a father who had been ill for many years, and a mother who toiled in the fields. Initially, I disagreed with their union. But my daughter was adamant, pleading with tears in her eyes that he truly loved her.
Out of love for my child, I eventually relented. Not only did I not ask for a dowry, but I also helped financially so the couple could buy a house near the city, hoping my daughter would live a comfortable and peaceful life. On their wedding day, my son-in-law was polite, charismatic, and eloquent, which somewhat eased my worries.
I didn’t approve of the marriage, but my daughter was determined to marry him, insisting that he truly loved her. (Illustration)
Six months after the wedding, my daughter called me:
– Mom, I’m pregnant. I’ve been feeling nauseous lately. Can you come and take care of me for a while?
I was both happy and worried upon hearing the news. Happy because I was going to be a grandmother, but worried because my daughter was still inexperienced and might not know how to take care of herself during this delicate time. So, I packed my bags and traveled to the city to take care of her, bringing along some homemade treats and, most importantly, my motherly love.
My son-in-law and daughter-in-law picked me up at the bus station. My son-in-law was as hospitable as ever, carrying my luggage with a smile on his face. When we arrived at their home, I noticed that everything was neat and tidy, and I thought to myself, “He must have matured.”
That evening, after dinner, my son-in-law shyly placed an envelope on the table and said:
– Mom, I know you left your job back home to come and help us. I don’t have much, but please accept this small gift as a token of my appreciation. I hope you don’t mind.
I opened the envelope and was stunned to find 50 million VND inside. To be honest, I had never received such a valuable gift from my son-in-law before. I tried to refuse, but my children insisted:
– Please take it, Mom. You can use it for groceries when I give birth. My husband is not good at this kind of thing, and he doesn’t know how to go to the market.
Their reasoning made sense, so I eventually accepted the money. However, I noticed that my children seemed somewhat uncomfortable, smiling awkwardly. My instincts told me that something was amiss.
They picked me up at the bus station. (Illustration)
That night, when I got up to use the bathroom, I accidentally overheard my children whispering in their bedroom:
– Are you sure Mom will give the money back? I told you she wouldn’t accept it, and now look.
– She’ll give it back; she’ll use it for her grandchildren. Don’t worry, she won’t keep it. We just wanted to test her, not actually give her money.
– I don’t care. I only gave the money to win her over, not to lose it. I have a lot of other expenses to worry about. The car needs fixing, we have rent to pay, and soon there will be another mouth to feed…
My heart sank. The 50 million VND gift was not a genuine gesture of gratitude but a calculated test of my affection. I spent the whole night tossing and turning, not because of the money, but because my sincere love had been taken for granted and my feelings had been bargained with.
I felt a deep sadness upon realizing the true nature of their “gift.” (Illustration)
The next morning, while everyone was still asleep, I quietly packed my bags. Before leaving, I placed the envelope with the 50 million VND back on the dining table, along with a small note: “I’m returning the money to you. I came here out of love, not for financial gain. I hope you understand.”
I dragged my suitcase towards the door. Without resentment or tears, but with a heavy heart, I boarded the bus back to my hometown. In my bag, I carried not the envelope, but the weight of a mother’s sadness, realizing that her trust had been put to the test.
A week later, my daughter and son-in-law returned to my hometown. Seeing me, my son-in-law bowed his head and said:
– Mom, I was wrong. I shouldn’t have tested your love like that. Please forgive us.
My daughter also held my hand and sincerely apologized. I looked at them silently, my heart heavy yet softened. Their apology was not just empty words but a sign of awakening, a first step towards reconciliation and change. Sometimes, silence and departure are necessary for others to recognize the true value of family bonds.
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“The Mysterious Midnight Mishap: A Tale of a Troubled Newlywed”
Let me know if you would like me to continue crafting titles or provide a different take on this intriguing story!
“My wife’s actions startled me awake, and I found myself curious about the contents of the mysterious bag she held. With eager curiosity, I pleaded to uncover the secrets it held, and my wife finally relented, allowing me a glimpse into its hidden depths.”
