Breaking Tradition: A Daughter-in-Law's Stand

On Christmas Eve, my mother-in-law, Romina Bennett, ordered my daughter and me to eat leftovers in the kitchen.

"This is what the daughters-in-law of our family should do. How can you be so clueless?"

I laughed and asked Nolan, "Really?"

"Sylvia, listen to my mom. Women don't sit at the table. Don't make things difficult for us."

I flipped the table over.

"Difficult? Then let's not bother."

1.

I stood awkwardly beside the table with my daughter, Irene Bennett.

Around us, Nolan's family were making sarcastic remarks, urging me to eat in the kitchen.

"Sylvia, our family's daughter-in-law should eat in the kitchen. Even though you've received high education, you can't still sit at the table."

"City girls are so pampered. Everyone has gone through this. She's the only one who dares to refuse."

"She's lucky to be part of our family. Nolan is a graduate student! He's going to make a lot of money in the future!"

Nolan was the first graduate student in the Bennett family, and Romina was over the moon, trying to put me in my place.

She urged again, "Hurry up! You're much dumber than the daughter-in-law of our neighbor. She just had a healthy son this year. I shouldn't have allowed Nolan to marry you."

Irene whispered to me, "Mom, I want to eat shrimp."

Nolan's uncle glared at Irene. "How could a girl have shrimp? This is for my grandson! You should be satisfied with the leftovers!"

I could tolerate insults directed at me, but Irene was my precious child.

I looked at Nolan, still holding onto a shred of hope for him.

"Sylvia, when in Rome, do as the Romans do. Just listen to my mom. Everyone's here, so don't make it hard for her."

I took a deep breath and, with all my strength, flipped the table over. Plates of dishes were scattered everywhere.

"Don't make it hard for her? Then none of you can eat!"

Romina sat on the floor, wailing, "Nolan, I told you this kind of woman is no good. Bringing her into our family brings us misfortune. Our dinner is ruined."

"Sylvia, you're too much. You have no manners at all. Is this how your family taught you?" The expression of my father-in-law, Peyton Bennett, turned sour.

"Our family can't handle a woman like you. You have no manners at all."

I glanced around.

"How dare you criticize me? I bought the food, carried the shrimp and abalone all the way from Silverstone, and cooked the entire feast myself. So what if I flipped it? I cooked it, and if I can't eat it, then no one will."

Romina pointed at me, scolding, "Sylvia, my back is twisted, and I can't get out of bed. I just asked you to cook a meal, and you act like it's the end of the world. It's not like I didn't help."

"You helped? I cooked for six hours, and you came by three times, drank a bottle of orange juice and three cans of milk. I didn't forget. And you said you twisted your back? Wasn't it you who spent the whole day playing cards the day before yesterday, danced at the club yesterday, and gossiped everywhere today?"

I looked at Peyton and sneered.

"My family believes in gender equality, unlike your outdated preference for boys over girls. My daughter can have any food she wants. Why haven't your outdated beliefs changed despite modern values?"

I paused and continued. "As for you, Nolan's uncle, does your family have a norm that your grandson eats a whole plate of shrimp? It's the first time I've heard such a thing. Aren't you worried he won't absorb it and that it will affect his development, making it hard for him to find a partner in the future?"

Nolan's family were all red-faced and speechless, and Romina even tried to grab my hair.

Want to hit me? I didn't learn taekwondo in vain.

I pulled Irene aside, dodged Romina's hand, and pushed her back, making her fall to the floor.

Nolan suddenly came over and grabbed my hand tightly. "Sylvia, how can you lay hands on my mom? Apologize immediately."

"Dream on! Nolan, let me tell you, I'm not someone you can bully."

While Nolan and I were arguing, Romina rushed over and slapped me.

"You bitch! I'll beat you up."

I broke free from Nolan's grip.

"Spend your lifetime with your family!"

2.

I took Irene to the room to pack our things, ready to leave.

Irene, only four years old, already had the demeanor of an adult. "Mom, dad and grandma aren't nice to you. Let's not take dad back with us."

She paused and continued. "Mom, don't be sad. You still have me. I will earn lots of money in the future and buy you a big house."

"Sylvia, it's Christmas Eve. You want to leave? Do you think you can catch a cab?"

Nolan walked in with a smug look. "I just called your parents. Guess what they said? They said you were wrong and asked me to talk some sense into you. Someday, they'll come over to apologize."

I stood up abruptly. "Nolan, do you think using my parents against me will work? Yes, it's hard to catch a cab now. But what if I raise the price to one thousand, two thousand, three thousand, or four thousand? Let's see if I can catch a cab. You think your family can threat me? Dream on."

In the next room, Romina was still shouting, "Nolan, divorce this bitch immediately. I'll find you someone better, someone who is rich, grateful, and can have sons."

Resolute, I took Irene and left.

"Sylvia, we've been together for so many years. You can't do this. Just think about Irene. She's still young. You can't let her grow up without a father's presence. But you scolded my family. You should apologize, or I'll call your parents over!"

I left only three words. "I'll divorce you."

After getting in the car, when looking at the angry faces of Nolan's family, I couldn't deny feeling aggrieved.

In my senior year, I met Nolan. I didn't mind his humble family background, only valuing his maturity and thinking he was someone I could rely on.

We married right after graduation, and soon, we had Irene.

"You and Irene are my treasures. I will make sure you live the happiest life!"

When Irene turned one, Nolan said a bachelor's degree was no longer competitive and that he needed to pursue a graduate degree for our future.

He studied hard, just like when he was preparing for the SAT, staying up until midnight every day, even preparing for his graduate exams on Christmas Eve.

Unexpectedly, as soon as Nolan graduated, his family thought I wasn't good enough for him and wanted to put me in my place.

If it weren't for my hard work when Nolan was in graduate education, even ending up in the hospital several times due to drinking, how would Nolan have the living expenses to support his studies?

Truly, when one had success, the first thing to do was to betray the one who helped you.

Originally, we planned to celebrate Christmas in Silverstone this year.

However, Nolan mentioned he hadn't spent the holiday with his family for several years, and his parents encouraged me to visit them, so I agreed.

Before we left, my father specifically advised me to be understanding and patient with Nolan's parents, who had lived in a small village all their lives.

Unexpectedly, all I received was disdain from Peyton and a slap from Romina.

3.

Irene and I took an early morning flight back to Silverstone.

Just as we finished unpacking, my parents called.

"Sylvia, what's going on? Nolan said you flipped the table and left with Irene, even demanding a divorce. What did I tell you before?"

"Sylvia, don't blame your father for scolding you. He just wants you to have a happy family, which is better for Irene's growth. If you still feel aggrieved, wait for Nolan to come back. I will talk to him, and you should apologize to his parents. Couples argue, but you can't divorce!"

Irene raised my hand to the camera, "Grandpa and grandma, look at mom's hand. It's all red from the cold. Grandma Romina made mom do the laundry by hand, saying the washing machine was broken, and didn't let mom use warm water."

Irene continued. "They didn't let me eat shrimp and made me and mom eat leftovers in the kitchen. Grandpa and Grandma, I'm so hungry."

Irene has been cherished by my parents since she was little, even more than me, their own daughter.

Hearing this, my parents were furious, but their anger turned into helpless sighs.

"Alas, Sylvia, wait for Nolan to come back and talk to him. For Irene's sake, let's avoid divorce if possible."

"Sylvia, I'm sorry."

I know my parents want Irene to have a happy childhood and a complete family.

I wiped my tears, "Mom, dad, you know my temper. I won't make myself suffer, nor do I want to. If Nolan continues like this, Irene and I can manage on our own."

"Sylvia, you've grown up and are much mature now." My parents accepted this.

The next day, I took Irene to Hazelwood Falls for a vacation. I shouldn't let the matters between Nolan and me affect her.

4.

Nolan didn't call again, and Irene and I enjoyed a wonderful five-day holiday.

Returning from Hazelwood Falls, we headed straight home from the airport.

As soon as I opened the door, I was stunned. Nolan's family was sitting on the sofa, watching TV.

A pile of shoes was stacked at the entrance, the house smelled awful, and the table was piled high with takeout boxes, some even spoiled with maggots crawling inside.

Romina sat on the sofa, picking her teeth. "Oh, Sylvia, you're back. Quickly clean the house and go out to buy some groceries. Get three more pounds of those shrimp from last time."

Peyton chimed in, "This is what you should do. You're lucky to marry Nolan, so hurry up and tidy up!"

I took out my phone and called Nolan.

"Sylvia, my parents want to help with our lives and can also help take care of Irene. Isn't that great? They plan to stay long-term. They've left their house in the care of relatives. We can manage. Irene is still young, so she can sleep in our room. My parents will take the guest room, and my uncle and aunt will sleep in Irene's room with their grandson."

I felt my blood pressure rising.

Just then, Nolan's uncle came out of the room and saw me. "Sylvia, I heard the school here is good. You should transfer the house to my son so my grandson can go to school and have a bright future."

"My grandson's schooling is important. Your daughter can go to any school."

Irene bounced into her room and then burst into tears. "Mom, my bunny and teddy bear are ruined! The doll's hair is gone too!"

"Nolan, if you're not back in half an hour, I'll send your parents to your office!"

Nolan returned, looking at the mess in the house, and seemingly reverted to the gentle and careful husband he once was.

"Sylvia, here's a bouquet for you. Welcome back!"

In the past, every time we argued, as long as Nolan gave me flowers, I'd foolishly forgive him.

But enduring too much stress can only lead to health issues.

"Nolan, don't try to sweet-talk me. I want a divorce. Just get your family out of my house!"

"What?" Romina said venomously, "This house belongs half to my son. If you want a divorce, you'll have the girl, but the house stays with my son!"

"Yes, you can't bully us country folk. Everyone knows the house is joint property."

"Sylvia, leave some room for maneuver. You're going too far. Nolan's parents came to help you."

I smiled slightly. "The down payment for the house was paid in full by my family, and the mortgage was covered by my housing fund. Nolan contributed three thousand dollars for a mattress. If you want the money back, take the mattress with you."

Fortunately, my parents had warned me to be cautious and given all their liquid assets, giving me the confidence to say this today.

"I told you you shouldn't have married her, but you insisted on marrying such a bitch, and now she wants to kick us out!"

"How could she do this to us?! She's practically driving us to despair! I can't take it anymore."

Romina rushed to the balcony, threatening to leave the house, clinging to the railing and wailing loud enough for half the neighborhood to hear.

5.

Nolan and Peyton anxiously grabbed Romina. "It's all Sylvia's fault. Don't do anything foolish."

"Sylvia, come here and apologize to my mom!"

What the hell? Did I hear that right? He wanted me to apologize?

Seeing no reaction from me, Nolan directly called my parents.

I must say, Nolan had mastered Romina's acting skills, even surpassing her.

Romina wailed at the railing for ages, squeezing out three tears. Nolan, meanwhile, cried to my parents, his tears worthy of an Oscar Award.

I couldn't stand it anymore, so I grabbed the phone and started filming the house.

"Mom, look at what a mess the house is in due to Nolan and his family! It's so disgusting! And this is the bunny we bought for Irene's first birthday, all cut to pieces. Irene needs it every night. Mom, don't try to persuade me. I can't take it anymore!"

Romina continued her dramatic performance on the balcony, slipping and leaving only a scream behind.

Peyton couldn't hold her, staring blankly as she fell.

Everyone was stunned.

I was shocked, too. This was truly risking it all.