My Daughter Was Treated Like a Maid by Her In-Laws—Until I Stepped In with a Lesson They Won’t Forget

My Daughter’s In-Laws Took the Money I Sent Her & Treated Her Like the Maid—I Made Sure They Knew It Was a Big Mistake

I never thought my daughter’s in-laws would take it all and turn her into their unpaid maid when I gave her a house and a car for her new life. I made sure they would never forget who actually had the keys once they crossed a line.

I did not attend the wedding of my only daughter.

I was overseas recuperating from surgery. “You’re lucky to be standing,” my doctor stated when I pleaded with him to let me fly. Avoid pushing it. When I saw the wedding photos of Ava in white, her smile so big it brought tears to my eyes, my heart ached.

However, I was unable to attend.

I had a large gift in mind for her. Something that demonstrated that even though I was far away, I was still with her. I therefore purchased a home for her and her spouse, Jacob. Not only did it help, it was purchased altogether.

The automobile is no different. A small SUV in gray. Ideal for weekend getaways, business, or grocery shopping.

It was all done in a lawful manner. I was the owner of the house. The car was as well. Though life can be peculiar, I had faith in them. Giving something later is simpler than trying to retrieve it after it’s gone.

When I felt well enough, I packed my luggage and made a flight reservation. I was eager to see her. to give her a hug. to observe her married life. I kept my arrival a secret from her. I intended for it to be unexpected.

However, I couldn’t have been prepared for what I witnessed.

Ava provided me a key months ago, and I used it to let myself in. There was silence in the house. Then I heard a faint scrubbing noise coming from the kitchen.

She was there. My name is Ava. She was kneeling. utilizing a bucket and sponge to scrub the floor. She had her hair tied back. She had a pallid face.

Her in-laws, Charles and Linda, were seated on the couch in the living room. They were watching TV and eating lunch.

Linda didn’t even raise her head. She chewed noisily and remarked, “This time, don’t forget the hallway.”

“Yeah,” said Charles. “There is still dirt on this plate. Rinse it out again.

I was motionless as I stood.

Ava gasped when she saw me. “Mom? Why are you here?

When I said, “I wanted to surprise you,” I was quiet.

She quickly stood up and wiped her hands on her trousers. “All right, let’s discuss later. Simply put, not right now.

Charles gave me a quick look. “Oh. The mother must be you.

Tight-lipped, Linda grinned. “Nice of you to drop by.”

I didn’t respond. I merely observed.

That evening’s dinner was like a silent pain in my chest.

With weary elegance, Ava walked around the kitchen, flipping the meat, stirring the pot, and setting the table. She achieved it by herself, without anyone else’s assistance. Linda sat by the window, humming to herself and browsing through her phone, while Charles remained on the couch, enthralled to the TV.

Linda remarked, “It smells a little burnt,” without even looking up.

After bringing the plates over, Ava said, “Dinner’s ready.”

Charles remained still. “Bring it here,” he commanded me. “I’m in the middle of something.”

She walked back and forth between the couch and the kitchen, obeying without protest. Nobody expressed gratitude.

Linda shook her head after taking one bite. “Too dry. Was this cooked for too long?

Charles let out a grunt. “Needs salt.”

Ava nodded and gave a small smile. “I’ll do better next time.”

I kept a close eye on her. Her eyes were tired and her hands moved automatically. After the lunch, she began to wash the dishes and quietly cleared the plates. Nobody volunteered to assist.

I approached her side by side. “Why are you doing everything?” I asked quietly.

She continued to scrub. “They’re only going to be here temporarily. It’s only transitory.

“How long has it been?”

She hesitated. “Since the wedding.”

“And they think Jacob bought the house?”

Ava looked down after giving me a quick peek. “Yes. They weren’t corrected by me. That simply appeared to make things easier.

I inhaled deeply. “Easier for who, sweetheart?”

She didn’t respond.

I had trouble sleeping that night. I listened to the silence of the home while I lay awake. I kept replaying the scene in my head: Ava exhausting herself, Charles and Linda living like kings and queens in a house they believed to be theirs.

Like a visitor in her own life, she walked carefully around them.

I stood at the front window the following morning and gazed out at the car parked in the driveway. It was immaculate. The paint is pristine. It appeared to have gone on every excursion.

With her sleeves rolled up and her hair tied back, Ava passed by carrying a basket of laundry. “Do you ever drive it?” I inquired.

She gave a headshake. “No. They make advantage of it. I no longer really go anywhere. I’m too busy.”

That line struck me like a ton of bricks.

Her space was not the only thing they had taken. She was no longer free. Her tone. Her happiness. Now I could see how insignificant she had grown in her own house, attempting to maintain harmony and avoid offending anyone.

Jacob, too? Unaware of or unwilling to observe what was taking place beneath his own house, he was abroad on another work trip. Perhaps he was unaware. Perhaps Ava kept it from him. Or perhaps she didn’t think the trouble was worth it.

I knew I couldn’t leave things the way they were when I glanced at my daughter, who was silent, pale, and too polite to ask for more.

There has to be a change.

I invited everyone into the kitchen later that afternoon. Still holding the remote, Charles shuffled in. Linda sighed and sat with her legs crossed, following.

Her smile asked, “What is this, a meeting now?”

Ava gave me an anxious look. “Mom?”

I sat up upright. “Yes. a meeting in the house.

I spoke steadily. I was already decided. I inhaled and started.

Calmly, “I’ve been here for two days,” I stated. And I’ve seen my daughter handle every aspect of driving, cleaning, cooking, and laundry. as you two unwind as though you were on vacation.”

Linda chuckled dryly. “We are visitors. Schedules for housemaids are not followed by us.

I remained motionless. “You are not visitors. You’ve spent months residing here. Using the car, eating, taking a shower, and doing laundry without exerting any effort.

Charles moved around in his seat. “What’s your point?”

“My point,” I stated, “is straightforward. You make a contribution if you live here. Your maid is not Ava.

Linda rolled her eyes. “You can’t simply enter here and alter the regulations. Jacob’s home is here. Not yours.

After a little pause, I gave her a direct gaze.

“No. I said, “This isn’t Jacob’s house.” “It’s mine.”

Both of them froze.

“What are you talking about?” Charles’s voice rose as he asked.

“I purchased this home. I am the owner of the deed. I also purchased the vehicle. I’ve registered it.

Linda’s mouth parted, then shut again. She blushed in a way I had never seen her do.

“You’re joking,” she responded at last.

“I’m not,” I answered. “I wanted Ava to enjoy this house when the time was perfect, so I gave it to her as a gift. However, it is still legally mine.

Linda stepped forward. “There is nowhere else for us to go! You can’t simply dismiss us.”

Calm as ever, I gazed at her. “Ava isn’t accountable for it. or my.

“But we’re family—”

“No,” I cut in. “You’re not royalty; you’re extended relatives. You must do your share if you wish to stay. Otherwise, you can get your belongings and leave.

There was silence. The refrigerator’s hum was audible.

With her lips apart, Ava stood motionless.

I turned to her and spoke more gently. “You deserve better than this, sweetie. You live here. You should live there as it is now.

Ava took a deep breath. She had tears welling up in her eyes. Then she whispered, just above a whisper, “Thank you.”

That was sufficient.

Charles and Linda packed up and left within a week. Not a huge goodbye. Only the sound of tires on gravel and a slammed door.

That night, with her body trembling, Ava fell into my arms. She sobbed, “I didn’t know how to say no,”

I held her close as I murmured, “You don’t have to explain,” “You were attempting to maintain harmony. However, if it costs you everything, peace isn’t peace.

Over the next three days, we took back her personal space. We opened all the windows, tidied the closets, and moved the furniture around the house. Sunlight streamed in. Ava continued to chuckle. She moved more easily. As she made coffee, she began to hum.

I threw the keys to her on Saturday. “Let’s take that car for a spin.”

We listened to loud music while driving with the windows down and the wind in our hair. She smiled naturally for the first time in months.

She put her head on my shoulder as we sat in the peaceful living room that evening.

Whispering, “I forgot what it felt like to be me,” she said.

I gave her head a kiss on top.

She isn’t a maid. There is no servant in her. She is my daughter. And nobody is allowed to forget that.