My daughter-in-law, Camille Harper, and my dog gave birth on the same day. I made some catfish chowder to help my dog produce milk for her pups. To my surprise, Camille drank the chowder without saying a word. I told her, “That catfish chowder was made for the puppies. It’s to help the dog produce milk. How could you fight the dog for food?” She was furious and asked, “Are you saying your grandson is less important than a dog?” I replied firmly, “Yes!” …………. Content Camille’s eyes welled up with tears, and she stormed off to complain to my son, Miles Clifton. “Did you hear what your mom just said? Does she even talk like a normal person?” Miles gave me a bewildered look. “Mom, what’s gotten into you? What nonsense are you saying? Aiden is your grandson!” He threw me a pleading look, silently asking me to apologize to Camille. Camille slammed her bowl onto the table. “That’s it. I’m done with this! Unbelievable! You’re not fit to be a mother, a mother-in-law, or a grandmother!” Normally mild-mannered, Camille snapped for the first time. Seeing that Camille was ready to pack up and leave, Miles quickly embraced her, speaking in soft, apologetic tones. “Babe, I’m so sorry. I’ll fix this. Mom’s going through menopause. Please don’t take her words to heart.” Camille sobbed and vented her frustration. “I’ve never met someone as heartless as your mom! I gave birth, and she didn’t even come to the hospital. She said her dog was giving birth and she needed to stay home to take care of it! Who does that? Who values a dog more than their own grandchild?” “I’ve been struggling with breastfeeding, and when I saw the catfish chowder on the table, I thought, ‘Finally, she’s acting like a proper grandmother.’ But no! That chowder was for the dog! Is Miles even her biological son? Even if she doesn’t like me, Aiden is still her grandson. How can she be so cold?” Miles, clearly disappointed, turned to me. “Mom, this is too much.” I responded calmly, “The dog is very important to me.” Camille was so upset that she avoided speaking to me for days. But eventually, with Miles mediating, she let it go and stopped bringing it up. Miles soon returned to work after his paternity leave ended. Before leaving, he asked me to take care of Camille and Aiden. “Mom, I’m counting on you to help Camille and Aiden while I’m at work,” he said. I wasn’t thrilled. “If you don’t trust me, you can hire a nanny.” Miles coaxed me with a promise. “Mom, I’ll get you a pearl necklace with my first paycheck, okay?” He probably thought the promise of jewelry would motivate me to take better care of Camille during her recovery. It didn’t. Instead, I went back to the market, bought fresh catfish, and made chowder for the dog. For lunch, I made myself plain porridge and pickled veggies. At my age, eating light is easier on the stomach. Camille, still recovering from her C-section, came out of her room looking for food. “Mom, what did you make?” Her tone was forced and reluctant, clearly an attempt to keep the peace for Miles’ sake. “There’s plain porridge in the pot and half a bag of pickled veggies left. That should be enough for you,” I replied. She looked at me in disbelief. “Do you hate me that much? Your grandson is your flesh and blood!” Her voice broke as tears filled her eyes. The strain pulled at her stitches, and she leaned against the wall in pain. I met her gaze, unbothered. “Before you married into this family, this is how I lived. It’s been my routine for years. If you don’t like it, I suggest you order takeout.” Camille looked utterly defeated. “If you don’t like me, why did you even agree to let me and Miles get married?” Camille and Miles had been high school sweethearts, dating for nine years before tying the knot and having Aiden.
The two of them had a solid relationship to this day. When I didn’t respond, Camille became more agitated. “I know you’ve always looked down on me because I’m an orphan. You think I’m not good enough for Miles.” “But Miles and I love each other deeply. Even if you don’t like me, I’ve always respected you as his mother.” I yawned, ignoring her words, and headed to my bedroom. “I’m tired. I’m going to sleep. If Aiden cries, handle it. Don’t wake me.” Behind me, Camille yelled, “You’re not just torturing me—you’re hurting your own son!” She then called Miles to complain, standing purposefully outside my door so I could hear every word. That evening, Miles sat me down for a long talk. After a while, he finally asked, “What did Camille do to make you dislike her so much? For my sake, could you please treat her a little better?” I couldn’t stop the tears that welled up. “My son has grown up. I guess it’s time for me to step back gracefully.” Seeing me cry, Miles decided not to press further. The next day, Miles spent $5,000 hiring a nanny to take care of Camille. Camille was thrilled. She smirked at me, saying, “What goes around comes around. Everyone grows old. I don’t believe there will never come a day when you need me. As long as Miles treats me well, I don’t care what you think. I’m spending my life with him, not you.” I cradled my dog while Camille held Aiden. Seeing me gently stroke the dog’s fur, she lost her composure again. “You’re one of a kind! You cuddle your dog all day and ignore your own grandson.” With the nanny around, Camille began treating me like I didn’t exist. But the nanny didn’t stay overnight, and Aiden cried frequently during the night. After several sleepless nights, I’d had enough. That night, I knocked on their door. Miles looked at me hopefully. “Mom, thank God. Please take Aiden for the night. I have to work tomorrow, and Camille hasn’t slept in days. Can you help us out?” Camille gave me a look as if the sun had risen in the west. “I can’t,” I said. “The baby’s crying keeps me up. I haven’t slept well in days. Maybe you should consider renting a place of your own.” Miles stared at me in disbelief. “Mom, what are you saying?” “I’m saying,” I repeated, “that I’d like you to move out. That way, we can all get some rest.” Camille, livid, turned to Miles. “See? This is your mom! Sometimes I wonder if you were adopted. Who acts like this in the 21st century? A nightmare of a mother-in-law, and it’s all coming from her own mouth!” Miles, upset, gave a cold laugh. “Fine. I’m starting to think I’m not even your real son.” The next day, Miles took the day off to have a heart-to-heart with me. Sitting across from me, he spoke gently. “Mom, you used to love me so much. Why have you changed since Aiden was born? I always thought you were the kindest person. I just don’t understand.” Holding his hand, I replied, “Eighty percent of men face conflicts between their mother and their wife. I can’t make sense of it all, but living apart can prevent more problems. Isn’t that a good solution?” Miles looked conflicted. “But I only make $12,000 a month. Between the $5,000 nanny and $7,000 for our expenses, we can barely make it. There’s no room for rent.” “Then find a cheaper place,” I said. Miles didn’t expect me to be so resolute, especially at a time like this. It seemed even more heartless that I was pushing them out of the house.
Miles was so angry with me that he didn’t speak to me for days. One day, as I was doing laundry, I accidentally found a DNA test report in the pocket of his suit jacket. It was a paternity test between Miles and me. The results confirmed we were biological mother and son. Yet, Miles’s attitude towards me changed noticeably after that. He stopped calling me “Mom” as often and hardly spoke to me anymore. A week later, Miles announced that they’d found a new place to live and were moving out. I offered, “Let me help you move.” Miles coldly declined. “No need. We don’t have much to take.” Camille shot me a scornful glare. “What a fake gesture.” They moved out without telling me their new address. I only heard from them again when I was invited to Aiden’s one-month birthday party. When I arrived, Camille greeted me with a sarcastic tone. “Well, look who decided to show up—Aiden’s grandma! Surprised you could tear yourself away from your precious dog.” Relatives tried to soothe her. “Now, now, Camille, don’t hold a grudge against your mother-in-law. She’s had a tough life, losing her husband and raising Miles on her own. She’s probably just going through a rough patch. Try to understand her.” Camille cast a disdainful glance at me and seemed ready to say more, but Miles’s aunt, Beatrice, quickly changed the subject. “It’s Aiden’s big day! Grandma must’ve brought a big gift for her grandson, right?” I handed Camille a small box containing a silver bracelet. “This is for Aiden.” Camille didn’t take it. “No need. Aiden doesn’t lack anything.” Miles looked at the bracelet, visibly unimpressed. “I shouldn’t have invited you.” Relatives pulled me aside to give advice. “Gladys, don’t be so stubborn. Miles is your only son, and with your husband gone, he’s all you’ve got for support in old age.” “Even if you don’t like Camille, Aiden is still your grandson. You can’t afford to let things stay this tense.” Camille overheard and snidely remarked, “Some people are just too cold-hearted to be reasoned with!” What should’ve been a joyous occasion turned somber because of my presence. Over time, my relationship with Miles deteriorated further. Months turned into years, and we barely spoke. Ten years passed. In that time, Miles never visited me. I sent messages, but he never replied. Then one day, Liam came down with a high fever, and I took him to the hospital. There, I ran into Camille and Aiden, who were also there for a doctor’s visit. Camille stared at me and Liam, her face a mix of disbelief and contempt. Liam bore a striking resemblance to me. She smirked, her voice dripping with mockery. “Well, now it all makes sense. No wonder you treated Miles and Aiden so poorly—you’ve been busy raising a secret child! Sixty-five years old and you have a ten-year-old? That’s a new record, even for you, Gladys!” Aiden tugged at her sleeve, confused. “Mom, who’s that?” Camille raised her voice deliberately. “That, sweetheart, is your so-called grandma—the one who’s ignored us for ten years!” Right there in the hospital, she called Miles. “You’d better come down here. You need to meet your little brother—the secret love child Mom’s been hiding from us!” I hurried to shield Liam, who started crying in fear. He was about the same age as Aiden, but the two couldn’t have been more different in that moment. I left in a rush, but the next day, Miles informed me he was calling a family meeting. He wanted to officially sever ties with me and adamantly refused to acknowledge Liam. I decided it was time to reveal some truths that had long been buried.
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