replacement surgery.
The doctor told me I needed rest and constant care, so my son Daniel insisted that I stay at his house for the first few weeks of recovery.
I hesitated — I didn’t want to be a burden to him or his wife — but he was so caring that I eventually agreed.
“Mom, it’ll just be until you feel better. Claire will take care of you,” he said with a smile.
But I soon realized that Claire, my daughter-in-law, was far from happy about my presence.
During the first few days, she barely spoke to me. She avoided looking at me, sighed impatiently every time I asked for something, and made sure to constantly remind me that the house was hers.
Still, I tried to stay calm and be kind, even though the physical and emotional pain grew.
Everything worsened when Daniel had to travel for work for three days.
I was left alone with Claire.
The first morning without him, I asked her for a simple glass of water.
She looked at me coldly and said with contempt:
— How long are you going to keep being a burden in our lives?
I tried to stay calm.
— Claire, dear, I didn’t mean to bother you…
She smiled ironically.
— Don’t give me that victim face! Daniel should only care about me, understand? You’re just a weight stopping us from living in peace!
That night, I cried silently.
The next morning, I heard the sound of the trunk closing. Claire was at the door, keys in hand.
— Let’s go for a ride, — she said in a cold voice.
I thought we were going to the doctor or pharmacy, but instead, she took me to a homeless shelter.
— It’ll be better for everyone, — she murmured without looking at me. — And Daniel doesn’t need to know. You wouldn’t want to make him angry, would you? Understand?!
I didn’t respond. I just nodded, swallowing my tears.
When she left, I sat on a bench in the shelter, suitcase on my lap, my heart shattered.
I waited until Daniel returned from his trip. When I finally managed to call him, my voice was barely a whisper.
Less than an hour later, he appeared — still holding the suitcase — and hugged me tightly.
— Mom, everything will be okay. I promise.
That night, he quietly returned home, pretending everything was fine. Claire was sitting at the table, a glass of wine in hand, smiling.
— Ah, you’re back! — she said sweetly. — How was the trip?
Daniel gave a faint smile.
— Not bad. — He paused. — Where’s Mom? I thought she’d still be here.
Claire shrugged, pretending to be casual.
— She left a few days ago. Said she felt better and went back home.
Daniel’s jaw tightened. He dropped the suitcase to the floor, eyes burning.
— Ah, I almost forgot… — he said with a cold smile. — I brought you a gift from the trip.
He placed an elegant box on the table.
— Oh, Daniel! — she exclaimed excitedly. — I hope it’s the bracelet I wanted!
She opened the lid… and the color drained from her face.
Inside the box was a USB drive and a photo: her, standing in front of the shelter, leaving me there with my suitcase.
Daniel looked at her silently as she began to tremble.
— The company car has a front camera, Claire, — he said firmly. — And the airport guard told me you left alone that morning. So I decided to check the footage.
Claire tried to speak, but her voice broke.
— I… I just wanted…
— Enough, — Daniel interrupted. — Pack your things. You’re leaving my house tonight.
She went pale, her hands trembling.
Daniel took a deep breath and added, tears in his eyes:
— You destroyed a man’s trust… and your own dignity.
The next morning, he took me back home.
He made coffee, arranged my pillows, and smiled at me tenderly.
— Mom, now… everything will truly be okay.
And for the first time in weeks, I believed him.