Ungrateful Son Forgets My Birthday

My daughter-in-law and I share the exact same birthday.

For her, my son bought an eighty-thousand-dollar luxury handbag.

For me, he handed me a single sheet of A4 paper with a generic letter printed on it.

As I held that cheap piece of paper, my phone buzzed with a notification from Quinn, a student I had been sponsoring for years.

"Auntie, I am so sorry I could not make it back in time for your birthday celebration," the message read.

"I have sent a small token of my appreciation. I will make it up to you properly when I return."

Below the text was a bank transfer for fifty thousand dollars.

I looked at my son, whose eyes were fixed entirely on his wife, and felt a cold smile spread across my face.

A son who forgets his own mother the moment he gets a wife is a son I no longer need.

1.

On the day of my birthday, my son Justin and his wife Melanie brought their three children over. I had spent the entire morning preparing a massive feast.

As soon as the kids walked in, they started sprinting around the house. My husband, Victor, had to run after them to keep them from breaking anything.

"Oh, careful, my little angels!" Victor called out, breathless.

I turned to Melanie and asked her to help me with the final touches in the kitchen. She didn't even look at me as she walked toward the sofa.

"Mom, I really can't get my hands dirty," she said, admiring her manicure. "I just applied a three-hundred-dollar hand cream. It's not meant for kitchen work."

Justin immediately jumped in to defend her.

"Exactly, Mom. We don't know how to do any of that stuff anyway," he said dismissively. "You've always done it yourself, haven't you? Just hurry it up. We're starving."

He led Melanie to the couch and sat her down like she was royalty.

Then, Melanie shouted toward the kitchen.

"Mom, I really want some honey-glazed ribs and grilled lobster tails! I don't see them on the table. Can you add those two dishes?"

I looked at the spread I had already made: garlic butter shrimp, spicy chicken, mushroom soup ten gourmet dishes in total. And yet, she wasn't satisfied.

"There are already ten dishes here," I said, my voice tight. "You really want more?"

Melanie pouted and leaned into Justin's chest, whispering something to him.

Justin immediately grew impatient. "Mom, it's Melanie's birthday. The birthday girl gets whatever she wants. Can't you just show her some respect and cook two more things?"

The knife in my hand hit the cutting board with a loud thud.

"You know it's Melanie's birthday," I said, turning to face him.

"But do you even remember that today is my birthday, too?"

It was true. My daughter-in-law and I shared the same day.

I was supposed to be celebrated today as well.

But from the moment they walked in, they had treated me like a hired maid.

I felt my heart turn cold. I threw the knife down and ripped off my apron.

I was done.

Justin finally seemed to realize he had messed up. He walked over, trying to smooth things over.

"Mom, come on. I only said that because your cooking is the best," he said with a fake smile. "Of course I know it's your birthday. Look!"

He pulled a folded piece of A4 paper from his pocket and handed it to me.

"This is a gift I prepared specially for you. Read it carefully."

I was surprised for a split second. I unfolded the paper.

The title read: "A Letter of Gratitude to My Dear Mother."

The content was pathetic.

It was clearly a generic template copied and pasted from the internet. The font sizes were inconsistent, the formatting was a mess, and even the date at the bottom was wrong.

This was his idea of "specially prepared."

Melanie piped up from the couch in a sugary, mocking tone. "Honey, you gave Mom a gift, but what about me?"

"Oh, baby, you know I'd never forget you!" Justin replied.

He reached behind the sofa and pulled out a signature orange luxury gift box.

Melanie's eyes doubled in size.

"Oh my god! Is that a Hermes Constance? This bag costs like eighty thousand dollars!"

"Anything for my beautiful wife!" Justin beamed.

They started hugging and kissing, lost in their own little world.

I clutched that piece of A4 paper, and my heart sank into my stomach.

A printed letter that cost five cents.

An eighty-thousand-dollar luxury bag.

The gap between those two gifts was a canyon I couldn't cross.

Suddenly, my phone buzzed in my pocket.

It was a message on WhatsApp from Quinn, the student I had supported for the last ten years.

"Auntie, Happy Birthday! I'm away on business and can't visit today, but I'll take you and Uncle Victor out to celebrate the moment I'm back. My office has moved to the West Side, so we're neighbors now. I'll be coming by much more often."

"I've sent a small gift to the front desk of your building. It's something to help with your health. Please remember to pick it up."

Below the message was a transfer notification. Fifty thousand dollars. The memo read: "For your health and happiness."

2.

Victor came back upstairs carrying seven large gift bags.

Inside was a treasure trove: premium bird's nest, wild ginseng, authentic deer antler, sugar-free herbal powders, high-quality sea cucumbers, and a high-tech smart massage chair.

At the bottom of the pile, there was a handwritten letter explaining how to use every single item.

Auntie, you work so hard. The bird's nest is gentle and nourishing; a small bowl every day is perfect for you.

Uncle Victor, you need to watch your energy levels as you get older. Use a bit of this ginseng when you make soup.

The deer antler is for Uncles back and joints, but don't overdo it. Just two slices a week. I checked with a doctor.

Auntie, I know youve been having trouble sleeping. Drink the herbal powder daily; it helps with digestion and rest.

I held the two letters in my handsDthe printed trash from my son and the heartfelt note from Quinn.

My heart ached with a mixture of gratitude and pure bitterness.

I had raised a son for thirty years, and he couldn't even compare to a stranger.

Justin and Melanie wandered over to the pile of gifts.

Dad, Mom, where did all this stuff come from? You guys must be loaded lately, Justin remarked.

Melanie didn't even ask whose they were. She started ripping open the packaging immediately.

Honey, these are top-tier supplements! We should take some of these home with us.

Good idea, Justin added. Mom, Dad, you two cant possibly use all of this. Well leave you a little bit and take the rest, okay?

They were always doing this. Always taking whatever they could find.

Usually, I let it slide for the sake of the grandkids.

But today, I reached my breaking point.

These were a gift from Quinn. They aren't yours, I said firmly.

Melanies face soured instantly. She nudged Justin with her elbow.

Justin looked annoyed. Mom, what is that supposed to mean? Everything in this house eventually belongs to the kids anyway. Im your only son. Who else are you going to give it to? Besides, Melanie hasn't been feeling well lately. She needs these more than you do.

Your eyes are so full of your wife that you can't even see your own mother, I snapped.

Melanie looked down, pretending to be hurt.

Mom, why are you being like this? Justin shouted. How can you say I don't care about you?

Have you even asked me how Ive been feeling once today?

You and Dad are as healthy as horses! I live with Melanie every day, I know when shes struggling. Shes had a cold and feels weak. She needs the nutrients.

Our argument grew louder, and the three children started crying from the noise.

Melanie picked up one of the kids and started coddling them.

Victor stepped in, trying to play peacemaker. He sighed and shook his head at me.

Forget it, Evelyn. Just let them take it. Its just some supplements. If you want more, Ill buy them for you.

Justin looked at the crying kids and glared at me.

See, Mom? Dad is actually reasonable. You guys can afford this stuff. Youre scaring the kids over a few boxes of herbs. Unbelievable.

My heart felt like it was encased in ice. I turned around and went back into the kitchen to serve the food.

3.

At the dinner table, Melanie kept flashing her Hermes bag. She couldn't stop smiling.

Honey, youre the best, she cooed. Ive wanted this model for so long. Its way better than the one my friend has!

Justin leaned into her, nodding like a devoted servant. He didn't look at me or Victor once.

Only the best for my wife. If you want it, Ill get it for you. Always.

The three kids were hungry and started acting up in their high chairs.

Justin and Melanie were too busy being lovey-dovey to notice.

Victor and I had to patiently feed the grandchildren, meaning our own food was getting stone cold.

Even then, the couple kept complaining that the dishes were too salty or not spicy enough.

I remained silent.

Seeing that I wasn't engaging, Justin turned his attention to Victor.

Dad, I signed the kids up for those elite preschool classes last week. Im short about fifty thousand. Can you cover it? Ill pay you back when I have the cash.

Victor dropped his fork, looking shocked. Didn't I just transfer you a hundred thousand dollars two days ago?

Melanie chimed in, Oh, Dad, everything is so expensive now. Those classes are a fortune. With three kids, a hundred thousand barely scratches the surface. We wouldn't even ask if it wasn't for the childrens future.

Justin added, Besides, you two are rich. A hundred thousand is nothing to you!

Nothing to us? You think money grows on trees?

I couldn't stay quiet any longer. I looked pointedly at Melanies new bag.

You don't have money for the kids' school, but you have eighty thousand dollars for a purse?

Melanies eyes welled up with tears instantly. She looked like she had been slapped.

Justin, your mom thinks you wasted money on me. Maybe I should just return it. I don't want it anymore if its going to cause problems.

Seeing his precious wife cry made Justin explode.

Mom! What the hell is your problem? Its Melanies birthday. She gave me three beautiful children. Shes the hero of this family! Why shouldn't she have a nice bag?

I laughed coldly. We give you a hundred thousand dollars every single month and its never enough. Youre always coming back for more. Do you remember what you said when you married her?

Justin looked guilty. What what are you talking about?

You said that once you married Melanie, you would never take a single dime from us! You said youd support her yourself and we could all live our separate lives!

My words hit his pride like a physical blow.

Justins face turned bright red, all the way to his ears.

Melanie started sobbing. Mom, why are you bringing up the past? You clearly still hate me. I should just leave!

She grabbed her Hermes bag and stood up.

Justin pulled her back and turned to us, screaming.

Mom, youve gone too far! Were family! Melanie is giving you the joy of being grandparents. Raising kids is expensive. Isn't it your job as grandparents to help out?

I was speechless.

Giving us the joy of being grandparents?

Did she have these children for me?

Fine, Im a loser! I don't make enough money so I have to borrow from you! But its not like Im not going to pay it back! Im doing this for the kids. Once my investments take off, Ill return every cent!

Always the kids. He used them as a shield for every selfish request.

Melanie stopped crying and peeked at my reaction, her eyes calculating.

I pointed out the obvious. Neither you nor Melanie have jobs. How exactly are you going to pay us back?

That was the final straw for him.

Mom, why are you so obsessed with the money?

Youre just pissed that Im spending your precious savings!

Fine! Ill go find a job tomorrow. Ill deliver pizzas or work construction if I have to. Ill work day and night to pay you back. Are you happy now?

He slammed his utensils onto the table and roughly grabbed the kids.

Come on, Melanie. Since they don't want us here, lets go!

The kids hadn't even finished eating. Being jerked around scared them, and they burst into loud wails.

Victor couldn't stand seeing the kids suffer. He sighed and gave in.

Justin, sit down!

Ill transfer you another two hundred thousand. Will that be enough?

Take the money and pay for the classes. Just stop wasting it on yourselves!

Melanie immediately stopped pouting. Oh, Dad, we barely have enough for the kids. We don't have anything left to waste.

I looked at her designer outfit. Every piece she was wearing cost thousands.

Neither of them worked. It was obvious where that money came from.

Victor made the transfer right there. Justins face finally relaxed.

Stop fighting with your mother, Victor warned. Youre over thirty. Its time to grow up.

Don't blame me, Dad. Its Mom whos being unreasonable. Shes starting drama over a bag!

Its like she wants to destroy this family. I don't even know what to say to her anymore.

He sat back down and started eating, making sure to bang his plate loudly.

He was acting like a giant, spoiled toddler, waiting for me to apologize and coddle him.

I was so angry my fingers were shaking. I didn't say another word.

Melanie sat behind him, eating heartily as if nothing had happened. She was a total ghost in the conflict she created.

As the kids cried and my husband and I scrambled to comfort them, I felt a heavy realization settle in my chest.

4.

That night, after they finally left, I lay in bed unable to sleep. Tears stung my eyes.

A few years ago, when Justin said he wanted to marry Melanie, I was against it.

They had only known each other for two months.

Melanie was beautiful, but every move she made felt like a calculation.

She didn't care about Justins career or his interests. She only asked about our house, our savings, and Victors retirement fund.

Victor and I knew she didn't love him. She just wanted a golden ticket.

We had owned a few small factories when we were younger.

We weren't billionaires, but we made a couple of million a year.

We wanted Justin to take over the business, but he was lazy and had no interest in work.

Even though we were at retirement age, we had to keep working to keep the income flowing for him.

When we told him Melanie was a gold-digger, he lost his mind.

I love her! I don't care what you think! Im marrying her!

He threatened to jump off a bridge or a building if we didn't agree.

He had pointed a finger at us and screamed that hed never need our help.

Victor had been so angry he nearly had a stroke. I had held him, sobbing.

But we were weak. We were parents. We gave in.

We spent our life savings on his wedding and his life.

We gave her a three-hundred-thousand-dollar dowry. Her family gave nothing.

The wedding cost half a million. We bought them a two-million-dollar starter home.

We did everything hoping they would just settle down.

But soon, Melanie decided the house was too small. She sent Justin to beg for a bigger one.

Justin threw tantrums until we folded and spent another two million to upgrade them.

Then it was the cars. Another three hundred thousand.

Then the kids came, and the bleeding never stopped.

Diapers, formula, luxury strollers, Melanies designer clothesDwe paid for it all.

Mom, the baby is out of milk. Send two thousand.

Mom, Melanie needs a post-pregnancy spa retreat. Send five thousand.

Mom, this mommy-and-me class is thirty thousand. Cover it.

It added up to hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Eventually, we agreed to give them a flat hundred thousand a month just to keep them from calling every day.

But it was never enough.

Justin would even go through our drawers when he visited, taking cash or jewelry when he thought we weren't looking.

We looked the other way for the sake of the grandchildren.

Yet, he was incredibly stingy with us.

Once, when my phone died, he paid ninety-two dollars for my groceries. He hounded me until I gave him five hundred back.

He never paid back a single loan.

When Victor was hospitalized last year, Justin and Melanie were on vacation.

He didn't even call. He didn't offer a dime for the medical bills.

When he got back, I saw Melanie had the newest iPhone. It cost fifteen hundred dollars.

My son had replaced us in his heart a long time ago.

Victor saw me crying and wiped my tears away.

Evelyn, don't think about it. Just sleep.

But today was the last straw. I looked at Victor, my mind made up.

Victor, I whispered. What do you think of Quinn?