The Evil Family Covets My Property

I told her that I would write a will, but the time had not come yet.

Gracie smiled and said, "Mom, just make sure you are fair when the time comes. We are both your children, so I should have my share of your things. If you leave everything to my brother, I will take it to court if I have to, just to get what is rightfully mine."

She went on to say that in today's world, I couldn't trust anyone; only what you held in your own hands was truly reliable.

I could only sigh, left speechless.

I thought that my children had grown up and developed their own opinions, but all I felt was a deep sadness.

Here I was, taking care of her out of love, only to receive such cold remarks. I felt somewhat hurt.

Over the past few days, I have been buying groceries and household items, always using my own money.

Buying small groceries was one thing, but my son-in-law had a lot of friends, and it seemed like every few days there was a small get-together, and every few weeks a larger one. Every time, I ended up hauling home bags of food, and just the cost of the good wine alone was significant.

One day, my son-in-law announced that he was hosting another dinner.

As usual, he reminded me to buy some more expensive dishes and not to worry about saving money.

He handed me a carefully prepared menu.

I was surprised by it. There was chicken, duck, fish, seafood, and so on. It looked like it would cost well over a thousand dollars.

"Kenya, today I'm hosting my superiors, so we can't cut corners. Don't worry about the money; you cover it for now, and I'll repay you later."

I grabbed my bag and headed out the door.

Every time he said he would repay me, it never seemed to happen.

Once the groceries were home, I rested for a moment before starting to prepare dinner.

By the time everything was ready, a group of people came, finishing the lavish spread I had laid out.

I was so tired that I barely ate a couple of bites before losing my appetite.

When everyone had finally left, I looked around at the mess of leftovers, my son-in-law slumped drunk on the couch.

I knew I was in for a long night of cleaning up.

Gracie gave me an apologetic look. "Mom, I'm sorry you had to go through all this trouble. But, Mason is about to get a promotion. You've really played a big role in that."

What a lovely daughter. She sure had no problem working her mother to the bone.

I began clearing the table quietly, washing dishes, and mopping the floor.

It was late into the night by the time I could finally rest.

The next morning, I got up early, but Mason had already left for work.

As for the promised money, I could never get it.

Not that I ever took his promises seriously.

I decided it was time to go home. I had my own life to live, after all.

Gracie objected, and Mason also strongly urged me to stay.

But I was firm. I did not want to keep playing the fool.

Gracie then said that if I insisted on leaving, she would have to hire a nanny.

I expressed strong support for that.

She hesitated and then mentioned that the cost of hiring the nanny might require some financial help from me.

I did not respond. I just sighed.

I could not understand how the little girl I had once adored had turned into the person she was today.

I looked at her calmly and said, "I could pay for that. But Gracie, do you really think that money should come from me?"

She pouted and acted spoiled.

"Of course! If you do not want to put in the effort, then you can just pay instead."

It was June, yet I felt a chill run through my entire body.

This was the daughter I had raised.

Seeing that I was silent, she went on, "Mom, you don't even need money right now. You get a lot in retirement funds. What's wrong with giving some to your daughter?"

I replied, "It seems you're taking it for granted."

Her face immediately darkened.

"Mom, do you not love me anymore? Or do you just want to save your money for my brother? After all, he is the true heir of the Payne family, right?"