“Daughter, Isn’t the Four Thousand Euros a Month Enough? — I Couldn’t Believe What My Husband and Mother-in-Law Did…”
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The sterile smell of disinfectant filled the air as Lucía slowly opened her eyes. The room felt unfamiliar yet somehow comforting, a strange juxtaposition of anxiety and peace. Pain radiated through her body, particularly in her lower abdomen, a reminder of the labor she had just endured. But amidst the discomfort, a profound sense of tranquility washed over her as she turned her head to the side and caught sight of a tiny creature nestled in a transparent plastic crib.
Her son.
Tears welled up in her eyes as she gently caressed his delicate cheek with her fingertip. In that moment, she felt that every ounce of pain she had experienced was worth it. The joy of motherhood enveloped her, pushing aside any lingering discomfort.
Lucía adjusted the slightly crooked shawl draped over her shoulders. She had chosen a shared room in this public hospital, not out of necessity but as a practical choice given her and her husband Javier’s financial constraints. The room had four beds, but at that moment, only hers and another in a corner were occupied. A ceiling fan creaked monotonously above, providing a slight relief from the heat that permeated the space.
As she looked at her baby again, wrapped in a light blue wool blanket she had purchased at a flea market months ago, a bittersweet smile appeared on her face. Memories flooded back of her mother-in-law, Carmen, mocking her choice of the inexpensive blanket. “Lucía, why do you buy these cheap things? It will irritate the baby’s skin. You’re too stingy. How can you be so cheap with your own child?” Carmen’s words echoed in her mind, making her heart sink.
Lucía had only wanted to be realistic. Her husband, Javier, was a simple office worker with a salary that barely covered their day-to-day expenses in the bustling city. To afford the birth and gather baby supplies, Lucía had worked tirelessly. Since her sixth month of pregnancy, she had taken on freelance graphic design projects, often working late into the night until her back ached and her eyes burned. Every penny she earned was saved, and she resisted the urge to indulge in expensive cravings. She suppressed her envy when friends flaunted new handbags or stylish clothes—all for the sake of her son.
“I can do this,” she had told herself repeatedly. “I can prove to myself and to Carmen that I can be a good mother without being a burden to Javier.”
But the weight of her reality pressed heavily on her shoulders. Javier, though a good man, was too submissive to his mother. Whenever Lucía voiced her frustrations about Carmen’s behavior, he would respond with a dismissive, “Be patient, darling. Mom is like that. She’s older. You have to understand her.” He never defended her, and when it came to finances, he would hand over his entire salary to Carmen, leaving Lucía with a meager allowance for daily expenses—often insufficient for her needs.
“I’m going to have to take more jobs, Javier,” she had told him one day, a hint of desperation in her voice.
Just then, the door swung open, and her husband entered the room, followed closely by her mother-in-law. Javier’s face lit up with joy upon seeing their son, while Carmen’s expression was more complex, a mixture of pride and skepticism. Lucía’s heart raced as she prepared for the inevitable judgment.
“Look at him,” Javier said, beaming as he approached the crib. “He’s perfect.”
Carmen, however, immediately scanned the room, her gaze landing on the modest clothes and baby supplies Lucía had prepared. “Lucía, wasn’t the €4,000 I sent you every month enough?” she asked, her tone laced with disbelief.
Lucía was taken aback, momentarily speechless. She thought her father was joking, but as she looked at his serious face, she realized he wasn’t. “Father, I’ve managed with my savings and my work as a freelancer,” she finally replied, her voice steady but tinged with emotion.
The shock on her father’s face was palpable. His cheeks flushed, and for a moment, the room fell silent. Lucía’s heart raced as she sensed the tension rising, the air thick with unspoken words. Javier and Carmen exchanged glances, and Lucía could feel the weight of their expectations pressing down on her.
“Managed?” Carmen scoffed, crossing her arms. “You should have accepted the help. This is your first child. You need to prepare better.”
Lucía felt her heart sink. “I wanted to do this on my own, to prove I could be a good mother without relying on anyone else,” she said, her voice trembling slightly. “I didn’t want to be a burden.”
Carmen’s expression hardened. “A good mother wouldn’t put her pride above her child’s needs. You’re being foolish, Lucía.”
“Enough!” Javier interjected, his voice rising. “Lucía has done everything she could. She’s worked hard to provide for our son. You need to support her, not criticize her.”
Lucía’s heart swelled with gratitude at his defense, but Carmen’s eyes narrowed. “You’re too lenient with her, Javier. She needs to understand what it takes to raise a child properly.”
Lucía felt tears prick at her eyes, a mix of frustration and sadness. She had fought so hard to create a life for her son, to be the mother she believed he deserved. Yet here she was, standing in a room filled with judgment and doubt.
As the argument escalated, Lucía felt a surge of determination. “I may not have everything figured out, but I love my son more than anything. I will do whatever it takes to give him the best life possible, even if it means doing it alone.”
Carmen’s expression softened for the briefest moment, but she quickly masked it with a frown. “Love isn’t enough, Lucía. You need resources, support—”
“And I will find it,” Lucía interrupted, her voice firm. “I will work harder if I have to. I won’t let anyone dictate how I raise my child.”
The room fell into an uneasy silence, the tension palpable. Javier looked at Lucía with admiration, pride shining in his eyes. Carmen’s expression was unreadable, a mixture of frustration and reluctant acceptance.
In that moment, Lucía realized that she had the strength to carve her own path, to define what motherhood meant to her. She would not let her circumstances dictate her worth or her ability to love and nurture her child. As she looked at her son, sleeping peacefully in the crib, she felt a renewed sense of purpose.
From that day forward, Lucía vowed to embrace her journey as a mother, to seek out the support she needed while also standing firm in her beliefs. She would prove to herself and to everyone around her that love and determination could overcome any obstacle.
As the days turned into weeks, Lucía found a rhythm in her new life. She continued to take on freelance projects, working late into the night while caring for her son during the day. She learned to balance her responsibilities, to prioritize her family while also pursuing her dreams.
With Javier’s support, she began to assert herself more, setting boundaries with Carmen and demanding respect for her choices. It wasn’t easy, but with each small victory, Lucía felt her confidence grow.
In time, Carmen began to soften, recognizing the love and dedication Lucía poured into her role as a mother. Slowly, the tension between them eased, and Lucía found herself forging a new relationship with her mother-in-law—one built on mutual respect rather than judgment.
As Lucía gazed down at her son, now a few months old and thriving, she felt a swell of pride. She had faced challenges, endured criticism, and emerged stronger than ever. She was not just a mother; she was a warrior, fiercely protecting her child and carving out a beautiful life for them both.
In the end, Lucía understood that motherhood was not defined by wealth or material possessions but by love, resilience, and the unwavering commitment to do what was best for her child. And with that realization, she embraced her journey wholeheartedly, ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead.
