The Woman They Broke, The Queen She Became

“Grayson, do you remember the promise you made to me on our first anniversary? About going to a concert together?” I asked my husband of 30 years,

He barely even looked at me, his eyes still fixed on the TV,

“Concert? How can you be thinking of that at your age…aren't you embarrassed?“ He snorted at me,

My son and Daughter-in-law's mocking laugh filled the room immediately,

“You are being too greedy, Mom. And you better stop dreaming so big. Who would want to take you to a concert in your old age?” My son, Mason, laughed it off,

“Aside from that, a lot of people would freak out seeing someone like you at a concert, Mother. Concerts are not for old people like you. You are too outdated for that,” Isabelle—My son's wife—added,

“She wants to be Grandma Freya so bad. But the difference is big. You are old and not important, but Grandma Freya is important and golden. Everyone wants to be around her, unlike you,” My nine years old Grandson, Ethan, said his own part,

I sat there in silence, completely speechless but not surprised.

It was usual for them to push my feelings aside like I didn't matter,

My family had this tradition of going to a concert each year—Without me, of course.

They would always convince me to stay behind to take care of the house.

But I wanted to go to a concert too, at least for once in my life—So, I decided to try my luck this year and see if they would be willing to take me along…but definitely not.

Just then, the washing machine beeped, I stood up from my seat and headed to it. Knowing they wouldn't stop talking about me anytime soon…this was my way of saving myself.

As I reached the laundry room, I heard my grandson's voice continuing from where he had stopped,

“Grandma Clara Irritates me so much. Where did you find someone like her to marry, Grandpa Grayson? Why didn't you find a better woman aside from her?...Or why didn't you just marry her sister, Grandma Freya?” He asked,

“Isn't it obvious? My mom was probably the easy one to get,” Mason scoffed, loud enough for me to hear,

“You got it right, son,” Grayson laughed, and so did everyone else in the room,

This was my life. A slave-like Wife and Mother, who was nothing but a joke to them.

Cooking, cleaning, washing—Every single housework—Even as far as mowing the lawn—was on me.

My back would always ache from the weight of it all. But despite everything… I was still a joke to them.

“Her parents literally begged me to take her away…it felt like I was taking a trash home,” Grayson continued laughing,

I bent my head in shame as a tear dropped from my eyes,

“No wonder she is so jealous of Grandma Freya,” Ethan hissed,

“Of course, she is. Grandma Freya has everything. She is an A-list celebrity and everyone adores her unlike Grandma Clara who looks like a complete maid,” Isabelle spat,

“She is honestly the most embarrassing part of this family,” Mason nodded in agreement,

How were they so comfortable saying all those things about me? The same family I had given up on myself for.

I didn't go to college just so I could save up the money for them.

I bought the house we were all living in with my money, and I had even given my life savings to Grayson to start a business with when he had nothing.

Yet they all seemed so free humiliating me like this.

“Grandma Clara ruined my 3rd-grade graduation. None of my friends wanted to sit with me on that day. They said she smelled so bad…like a spoilt fish,” Ethan went on,

“Ethan!” Isabelle yelled out his name,

And for once I thought she was going to scold him for talking about me like that…but instead, she let out a loud, mocking laugh. And so did everyone else.

With a heavy heart, I walked close to the door, watching their laughing faces,

They kept laughing for minutes until the sound of my phone ringing made them stop, their eyes turning to me at once,

“Oh, there she is. The spoiled fish!” Ethan called out,

“Ethan, stop,” Mason silenced him, then he turned to me with what seemed like a smirk on his face,

“Maybe you should try washing up more, Mom. You do smell like spoilt fish sometimes and it's hard to be around you,” He said,

“He is right. You should listen to him. We care about you and we just want you to be healthy. That's all,” Grayson joined in,

I stood in deep silence, watching them with my tear-filled eyes—How did I get to this point? I was the subject of mockery in the same home I had given up everything to build.