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After I Funded My Daughter-in-Law's Restaurant, I Disowned My Son
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After my daughter-in-law, Marcella Abbott, lost her job, I gave her the money she needed to open a restaurant. To help the place get off the ground, I brought people there to eat almost every day, doing everything I could to support her. But Marcella always looked cold whenever she saw me, and the portions she served kept getting smaller. I finally couldn't take it anymore, so I asked her.. "This roast beef is sixty-eight dollars a plate. Why are there only three pieces?" Marcella snapped. "Eat it if you want it, or leave if you don't. Better yet, don't come around here at all anymore." Even if I weren't her mother-in-law, I was still the person who'd funded this restaurant—and I was a paying customer, too. How could she treat me like this? I was upset too, and I was just about to say something when my son pulled me aside and spoke to me in a low voice. "Mom, business has been bad lately, and it's got Marcella in a mood. Do it for me, just let it go and don't hold it against her." I didn't want to cause trouble between the two of them, so I swallowed my anger. Three days later, there was a high school reunion, and I brought my old classmates over to eat. Before I even made it inside, Marcella blocked my way, her eyes red as she yelled at me. "Mom, don't you think you've gone a little too far? I've had this restaurant open for three months, and for three months you've been bringing people here to eat and drink without paying. Four hundred thousand dollars in total, and not once have you paid a bill." "This is a restaurant I opened by taking out a loan against my parents' house. Are you not going to stop until you've eaten it into bankruptcy?" I froze. The one million dollars to open this restaurant came from me, every last dollar of it. And I'd paid for every meal, down to the last cent. So where had the money gone?
Chapters (4)
第1章
After my daughter-in-law, Marcella Abbott, lost her job, I gave her the money she needed to open a restaurant.
To help the place get off the ground, I brought people there to eat almost every day, doing everything I could to support her.
But Marcella always looked cold whenever she saw me, and the portions she served kept getting smaller.
I finally couldn't take it anymore, so I asked her..
"This roast beef is sixty-eight dollars a plate. Why are there only three pieces?"
Marcella snapped.
"Eat it if you want it, or leave if you don't. Better yet, don't come around here at all anymore."
Even if I weren't her mother-in-law, I was still the person who'd funded this restaurant—and I was a paying customer, too. How could she treat me like this?
I was upset too, and I was just about to say something when my son pulled me aside and spoke to me in a low voice.
"Mom, business has been bad lately, and it's got Marcella in a mood. Do it for me, just let it go and don't hold it against her."
I didn't want to cause trouble between the two of them, so I swallowed my anger.
Three days later, there was a high school reunion, and I brought my old classmates over to eat. Before I even made it inside, Marcella blocked my way, her eyes red as she yelled at me.
"Mom, don't you think you've gone a little too far? I've had this restaurant open for three months, and for three months you've been bringing people here to eat and drink without paying. Four hundred thousand dollars in total, and not once have you paid a bill."
"This is a restaurant I opened by taking out a loan against my parents' house. Are you not going to stop until you've eaten it into bankruptcy?"
I froze.
The one million dollars to open this restaurant came from me, every last dollar of it. And I'd paid for every meal, down to the last cent.
So where had the money gone?
……
When the roast beef was set down on our table, all five of us old friends were mortified.
Because just a second earlier, I'd been talking the place up to everyone,
"My daughter-in-law owns this restaurant. The dishes are generous, they taste great, and it's a real bargain."
"Anytime you feel like eating out, come here. I promise you'll be happy with it."
But right now, this plate of roast beef in front of us was priced at sixty-eight dollars, and there were only three pieces on it.
Five of us, and not even enough for everyone to get a bite.
The table went silent for three seconds, and then one of my old classmates spoke up, unable to believe it.
"Susan, did your daughter-in-law mix up our order and accidentally bring us someone else's leftovers?”
I glanced at the roast beef that had just been carried out to the table next to us. A full plate, heaped high with meat.
And ours had three miserable pieces, looking pitiful by comparison.
This plate had been carried out by Marcella herself.
Even though her attitude toward me had been strangely chilly for the past three months, she wouldn't go so far as to treat me like this in front of everyone, would she?
"I'll go ask."
I stood up, carried the plate over to Marcella, and asked her nicely.
"Marcella, this roast beef is sixty-eight dollars a plate. Why are there only three pieces?"
"Did you all bring out the wrong plate?"
Marcella, who'd had her head down sorting through the bills, looked up and gave me a cold glance, then said flatly,
"Nothing wrong with it. That's the portion."
Puzzled, I said,
"Then why does the table next to us have so much?"
"Isn't it all roast beef? How can the portions be so different?"
Marcella's brows immediately drew together, and she said impatiently.
"You really don't know why there's such a difference?"
I couldn't help staring at her in confusion.
I knew?
What was I supposed to know?
Before I could get another word out, Marcella rolled her eyes at me and snapped irritably.
"Eat it if you want it, or leave if you don't. Better yet, don't come around here at all anymore!"
With that, she lowered her head and went back to what she was doing, without giving me another glance.
Seeing her like that, my anger finally boiled over.
Ever since this restaurant opened, Marcella's attitude toward me had gotten worse by the day.
In the very beginning, when I came in to eat, she always greeted me with a smile, and she'd even add extra dishes, worried I wouldn't have enough to eat.
第2章
But as the days went by, her smiles disappeared, and she spoke less and less.
And now she was openly treating me differently, even telling me to leave in front of everyone?
This was too much.
Even if I weren't her mother-in-law, I was still the one who'd funded this restaurant.
And for three whole months, I'd paid out of my own pocket every single day to bring all kinds of people in to eat, just to drum up business for my daughter-in-law and help her build a customer base.
I'd poured my time, money, and energy into this place.
And in the end, this was what I got? This was how she treated me?
How was that fair?
I was just about to demand an explanation from my daughter-in-law.
Then my son, who'd been serving customers behind the counter, suddenly rushed over, pulled me aside, and murmured softly.
"Mom, don't be upset."
"Business hasn't been good lately, and Marcella's been under a lot of pressure. She's just been having a hard time."
"Just do it for my sake, okay? Don't hold it against her."
Looking at the strained, helpless expression on my son's face, everything I'd been feeling stuck in my throat.
It wasn't the unfair treatment that bothered me.
What I was afraid of was putting my son in the middle, caught between his mother and his wife.
I didn't want to come between them.
So I let it go.
I pushed down every bit of hurt, forced a smile, and went back to my seat, making excuses for my daughter-in-law.
"I'm so sorry, the place really is busy, so there was a mix-up."
"My daughter-in-law says everyone should order whatever they'd like. Consider it her way of making it up to you all."
As uncomfortable as I felt, I still had to save face for my daughter-in-law in front of everyone.
I couldn't let anyone think she'd been unkind to me, her mother-in-law.
It wouldn't look good for her.
Hearing my explanation, my old friends relaxed and smiled.
"See, I said it had to be a mistake."
"Susan, your daughter-in-law really is a gem. She's so thoughtful and capable."
I nodded with a smile and didn't say anything more.
After everyone had eaten and drunk their fill, I did what I always did. I scanned the restaurant's QR code my son had given me and paid the entire bill myself.
After saying goodbye to my friends, I headed home alone.
The restaurant wasn't far from the house, just a ten-minute walk.
I walked the whole way home, my mind full of the resentment I'd seen on my daughter-in-law's face.
She hadn't always been like this.
Before she opened this restaurant, Marcella was an ordinary office worker.
She worked nine to five, and though the pay wasn't much, she always thought of me.
Every payday, she'd buy me something.
My clothes, my shoes, my skincare—you name it, she'd buy it for me.
Back then, the two of us could talk about anything, and we were as close as a mother and daughter could be.
The whole neighborhood envied me for having such a thoughtful daughter-in-law.
Then her company had layoffs, and she was laid off.
For a while, she job-hunted every day, only to be turned away everywhere she went. It was a serious blow to her confidence.
She grew withdrawn and dejected, shutting herself away at home day and night, not wanting to talk or go out.
Watching her grow more withdrawn by the day broke my heart, and I wanted nothing more than to help her through it.
So I went to my son, hoping he'd have some idea.
He told me that Marcella's biggest dream was to open a restaurant.
She just didn't have the money, so she'd never dared to try.
Hearing that, I didn't hesitate for a second. I transferred my son all the money I'd saved over the years.
"Whatever Marcella wants to do, let her pursue it without worrying about the money."
When the one million dollars landed in his account, my son's eyes turned red.
"Mom, you're so good to Marcella."
"She's going to be thrilled when she finds out."
第3章
I waved a hand.
"She's my daughter-in-law. Of course I have to be good to her."
"You tell her to go for it, and not to hold back. Mom's got her back."
Later, the restaurant opened.
That day, my daughter-in-law was so happy she could barely hold back tears, and she said she was going to make something of herself.
Seeing her back on her feet again, I was glad for her from the bottom of my heart.
To support her business, every day I paid out of my own pocket to bring people in to eat.
For one thing, it was to help her build up a customer base.
For another, it was to help bring in more business.
So even when the restaurant ran discounts and promotions, I never took part.
I always paid full price, down to the last cent, and sometimes I even left a little something extra on top.
I didn't care about anything else. I just wanted to support my daughter-in-law's business.
As long as she was happy, I was willing to do whatever it took.
But I never dreamed all I'd get in return were cold looks.
Once the restaurant got on its feet, her attitude toward me got worse by the day.
Not only did she never so much as greet me, but the service got slower, and the portions got smaller and smaller.
I saw it all, and it broke my heart.
More than that, I couldn't understand it.
I honestly couldn't figure out where I'd gone wrong.
How had the daughter-in-law who'd once been as close to me as my own daughter become like this?
I was still thinking about it when I passed a fruit stand.
I'd noticed she'd been staying up late every night, poring over the books and complaining that her eyes were always dry and tired.
I hesitated for a moment before going in and buying some blueberries.
People online said they were good for the eyes.
We were family, after all. Even with the hurt still sitting heavy in my chest, I still wanted the best for her.
Once I got home, I washed the blueberries carefully, one by one, and put them in the fridge.
I figured she could have some when she got home that night, to help with her tired eyes.
But by the next day, not a single blueberry had been touched.
Thinking she hadn't noticed, I made a point of reminding her.
"Marcella, I bought you blueberries to help with your eyes. Remember to eat some."
She just shot me a cold look and said only one thing.
"Save the fake kindness."
And with that, she walked out without even looking back.
Over the next two days, my daughter-in-law's attitude toward me grew colder than ever.
She'd rather go hungry than eat the breakfast I made.
The fruit I bought, she'd let it sit before she'd even touch it.
At home, the moment I sat in the living room, she locked herself in her room, unwilling to spend another second around me.
When I brought people to the restaurant to support her business, she wouldn't so much as give me a decent look, and even went straight to her social media account with some thinly veiled jab.
"Some people just won't quit haunting you. Sickening to look at."
I stared at that post, and thought again of how she'd been deliberately keeping me at arm's length.
My chest felt so tight I could hardly breathe, and I kept looking for a chance to talk things out with her.
But the moment I came near, she'd turn and walk off, never giving me the chance to say a word.
Living under the same roof, having her freeze me out like this day after day, was tearing me apart.
I held it in for days, until finally I couldn't take it anymore, and while my daughter-in-law was in the shower, I went to my son.
"Russ, be straight with your mom. Does Marcella have some kind of problem with me?"
My son looked startled.
"How could that be, Mom? Everybody knows Marcella's always treated you like her own mother."
"You two used to be as close as a real mother and daughter. Don't you remember?"
It was precisely because I remembered.
That I found it so strange.
"But lately she's clearly going out of her way to avoid me, and the way she looks at me, it's like I'm her enemy."
"When I try to talk to her, she can't even be bothered to answer."
My son sighed, and said helplessly.
第4章
"Mom, you're really overthinking this."
"The restaurant's still in its early days. Business is slow, everything's a headache, and Marcella spends all day reconciling accounts, ordering supplies, and dealing with customers. She's worn out, inside and out. It's no wonder her temper's short."
"But don't worry. She's been like this with everyone lately. It's not aimed at you. Sometimes I just get in the way at the shop and she snaps at me too."
As he spoke, my son paused, reached out to steady my arm, and tried to reassure me.
"Mom, you're the parent here, so try to be a little more understanding. Don't take it personally when a young woman is under the pressure of starting a business."
"Once we get through this rough patch and the restaurant's on solid footing, I'll have a good talk with her, make sure she apologizes and treats you right from now on."
After hearing my son out, the knot of frustration in my chest loosened considerably.
Young people carry a lot of pressure these days. I understood.
It wasn't as if I needed my daughter-in-law to be smiling at me all the time.
I only hoped that, living under one roof as a family, we could live together peacefully.
"There's no need for an apology."
"I'm just worried about her. Tell Marcella to take things one step at a time and not push herself so hard."
"Whether she earns a lot or a little, her health matters most."
Hearing that, my son smiled and nodded.
"Mom, I knew you'd be the reasonable one."
"Don't worry. I'll be sure to talk some sense into her."
Just then, my daughter-in-law came out of the shower.
Seeing me and my son chatting in the living room, she shot me a cold glance and turned and went straight back to her room, slamming the door behind her.
I looked at the shut door and didn't go over to bother her.
After all, she'd been exhausted for days on end. She needed some quiet time alone.
Better to give her some space.
With that thought, I went back to my room too.
Right then, my phone rang.
It was the class president who had just posted a message in our high school alumni group.
"Old classmates, tomorrow's the day for our once-a-year reunion. Don't anybody forget."
The group came alive in an instant.
"Haven't forgotten, haven't forgotten. I even turned down the senior tour package my son booked for me, just so I could get together with everyone tomorrow."
"A whole year without seeing each other, I've been missing this old crew. I've been looking forward to this reunion."
"Everybody hurry up and confirm the head count. If you've got a good spot for the meal, feel free to recommend it, and we'll pick a place together."
Watching everyone discuss where to eat, an idea struck me at once.
Our alumni group holds a reunion once a year.
Every reunion draws forty or fifty people.
A big order like that would be just the thing to boost business at my daughter-in-law's restaurant and take some of the pressure off her.
With that in mind, I immediately posted in the group.
"My daughter-in-law just opened a restaurant. The food is delicious, and the place is clean.
Let's all get together at her place tomorrow. I'll cover everything."
The moment the message went out, people replied right away.
"Sure thing, Susan. It's your own daughter-in-law's place, we've got to show our support!"
"Then it's settled. Tomorrow we all head to Susan's daughter-in-law's restaurant for the reunion."
"If the food really is good, we'll all be regulars from now on."
Reading the replies, I posted the restaurant's location to the group right away.
At the same time, I started doing the math in my head. This meal for forty or fifty people wouldn't just bring in a good chunk of money for the restaurant.
I could also use the chance to spread the word and turn some of my old classmates into regular customers.
By then Marcella would surely be happy.
The next day at noon, I set off for my daughter-in-law's restaurant with a big, lively group of old classmates, laughing and chatting all the way.
On the way there, my old classmates chatted as they walked, showering me with sincere praise.
"Susan, you really are a wonderful mother-in-law. To look out for your daughter-in-law's business, you'd rather pay out of your own pocket just to book the reunion at her restaurant."
"It's true. You hardly ever see a mother-in-law these days who thinks of her daughter-in-law as genuinely as you do."
"Your daughter-in-law is blessed to have a mother-in-law like you."
Listening to them, warmth spread through my chest.
"My daughter-in-law has always been good to me. She's family, so of course I'll do everything I can to help her."
As I spoke, we arrived at the restaurant door.
But before we could step inside, a figure suddenly came hurrying over.
It was my daughter-in-law.
Her eyes red, she threw herself into the doorway, blocking the entrance, and snapped coldly at me.
"Mom, are you ever going to stop? Why did you bring this whole crowd to my restaurant again?!"
Marcella's sudden blockade and angry outburst brought the laughter and chatter to an abrupt stop.
Everyone stopped in their tracks and turned to look at me, shock written all over their faces.
I froze too, and looked at her, baffled.
"Marcella, what are you doing?"
"I brought everyone to eat here to help your business and take some of the pressure off you."
She let out a cold snort, as if she'd just heard the biggest joke in the world.
"Help my business?"
"Mom, you are so unbelievably two-faced. Do you have any idea how shameless this is?!"
"I've been open three months, and for three months you've brought people here to eat and drink for free. Four hundred thousand dollars total, and you never once picked up the check. And now you stand there and pretend you're helping me with my business?"
"I mortgaged my parents' house to open this place. Are you not going to stop until you've eaten this place into bankruptcy?!"
Hearing that, a shudder ran through me.
"Marcella, what did you just say?"
