12/07/2025
I have a daughter, Emma (10), from my first husband, who died when she was three. It was just us until I married Daniel. He treats her really well. His mother, Carol, is THE POLAR OPPOSITE.
Carol frequently makes remarks like, "It's cute you play favorites," and "STEPCHILDREN AREN'T REAL FAMILY."
Emma is exceptionally kind. For Christmas, she decided to CROCHET EIGHTY HATS for children in the hospice. She used her OWN ALLOWANCE for the yarn.
I was incredibly proud. Two weeks later, Daniel left on a business trip. In his absence, Carol always "CHECKS ON US."
Emma and I returned from the store, and she raced to her room. Five seconds later: A SCREAM. Her bed was empty. The donation bags were MISSING.
She was on the floor, WEEPING, when I saw Carol standing in the doorway.
"I tossed them," Carol stated calmly. "A total waste of time. Why spend money on STRANGERS?"
"You discarded EIGHTY hats for SICK KIDS?" I asked, trembling. Carol rolled her eyes. "They were UGLY and you shouldn't promote USELESS HOBBIES."
Emma whispered, "THEY WEREN'T USELESS," before dissolving into tears. Carol simply exited.
That night, Emma CRIED HERSELF TO SLEEP. I cried in the dark.
What Carol didn't anticipate was Daniel's retribution. When he got back, I told him all of it. His face went COLD WITH ANGER.
He phoned Carol, his voice DANGEROUSLY CALM, pretending everything's fine: "Mom, I'm home. Come over. We have a SURPRISE for you." ⬇️