31 October 2025 newsworld_wo Uncategorised 0

A teenage boy demands that his parents pay him for doing his household chores and learns a painful lesson.

Wesley pushed his plate away. “I’m sick of meatloaf,” he complained. “Can’t you make anything else?” he asked his mother.

His mom looked at him indignantly. “We had roast chicken yesterday, hamburgers the day before, fish on Friday…”

Wesley sniffed derisively. “Yeah, yeah…Whatever!” and got up from the table.

“Wesley,” said his mother. “Please rinse your plate and put it in the dishwasher.”

“Why should I?” asked Wesley with typical teen arrogance. “I’m not your slave!”

Price list for chores | Source: AmoMedia.com

“My slave?” gasped his mother, “How can helping out make you my slave?”

“You don’t pay me, do you?” asked Wesley triumphantly. “Work without pay is slavery!”

Wesley’s dad frowned. “We support you, son,” he pointed out. “We house you, feed you, clothe you, and educate you…”

“That’s your duty and my right!” said Wesley. “And the law says you have to do it too, but I don’t have to do a thing!”

Wesley’s mom changed color. “I see! So we have duties and you have rights? Is that what you believe? What about your duty to help, to do your chores?”

“I’m not your slave,” repeated Wesley arrogantly. “If you want me to do things around here, you’d better pay me!”

A rebellious teen | Source: Pexels

Wesley’s mom jumped up but his father laid a gently restraining hand on her arm. “Pay you?” asked the father calmly. “And how much would you want for doing your chores?”

Wesley smiled triumphantly. “I’ve thought about that. For taking out the trash, $1, for washing dishes, $2, walking the dog, $4, cleaning my room, $5, and for cleaning the yard and mowing the lawn, $10. And you’re lucky I’m not demanding back pay.”

“Never!” cried Wesley’s mom angrily, but his father smiled calmly.

“I agree, Wesley. We will pay you for your work according to your demands. From now on you are a man, and we will treat you as such.”

Wesley puffed out his chest. “It’s about time you showed me some respect!” he crowed, and his mother opened her mouth to utter an angry retort. Once again Wesley’s dad smiled sweetly and restrained her.

Angry mother | Source: Unsplash

“Well, son, we start tomorrow, OK? I’ll put up a chart with your chores, and you write down what you’ve done on a daily basis. At the end of each week, say Friday afternoons, you get paid. What do you think?”

Wesley smiled happily. “That’s just perfect, dad!” Wesley walked out feeling on top of the world, without realizing he was about to have one of the worse weeks of his life.

A family works as a unit to make their collective lives better.

Wesley’s mom turned to his father. “Rick, how could you? He’s disrespectful, lazy, and greedy. He needs to learn,…”

Rick was smiling, and it wasn’t a nice smile. “Don’t worry, Martha, I have a plan, and our dear little boy is in for a very unpleasant experience. We’re going to teach him a lesson!”

The next day, Wesley walked into the house after football practice. It had been a long day at school and he was starving. “Hey mom!” he said. “What’s for dinner?”

Making a price list for his chores | Source: Pexels

“Turkey pot-pie with sweet potatoes and peas,” his mother said smiling sweetly.

“Cool!” cried Wesley. “I’m starving!” He saw that his dad had put up a chart on the wall and he immediately walked over and filled in walking the dog and cleaning his room. Later he would take out the trash.

That’s $9 already, though Wesley happily. I’m going to be rich! An hour later the scent of the food lured him down to the kitchen again where he found his mother and his father having dinner.

“Mom!” he cried indignantly. “You didn’t call me and I told you I was starving!”

Wesley’s mom smiled, and his father replied: “But Wesley, now that you are earning your own money, you will have to support yourself. If you want your mother to cook for you, you will have to pay her.”

“PAY HER?” screamed Wesley, “I’m not going to pay her!”

Walking the dog | Source: Unsplash

“Well, I’m afraid you’ll have to dip into your savings and order take away, then.” Wesley’s mother said still smiling.

“But…but…That’s not fair!” screamed Wesley and stormed upstairs. He ordered a pizza and it cost him $15 plus the delivery fee and the tip. Wesley worked out that he’d have to work three whole days to pay for that pizza. Being an independent man was expensive!

The next morning he came down for breakfast to find his mother making bacon and eggs and it smelled delicious. “Hi mom,” he said sweetly, “can I have my eggs over easy?”

“Sure, son!” she smiled. “That will be $6 for breakfast!”

“You’re charging me for breakfast?” cried Wesley angrily. “That’s not fair!”

But Wesley was in for another surprise. “Dad,” Wesley said, “our coach said we have to have new team jerseys and it will cost $69,99.”

Cleaning up his room | Source: Unsplash

“I see,” said his dad smiling. “But why are you telling me this?”

“Well, so you can give me the money!” said Wesley.

“But, Wesley,” his dad said, still smiling, “now that you’re earning money, you pay for your own expenses, and that includes clothes. I thought you knew that.”

“I don’t have that kind of money!” cried Wesley. “Where am I supposed to get $70?”

“Save it up from your what you earn, of course. It’s what we do!” dad said.

Wesley was stunned. Not only would he have to feed himself, but he’d also have to buy his own clothes? This wasn’t what he’d imagined when he’d demanded payment for his chores. “Well, OK,” he said. “Listen, dad, could you give me a ride to school? I’m a bit late…”

Nothing for dinner | Source: Unsplash

“Sure, son!” his dad smiled. “That will be $5.50.”

“You’re going to charge me for a ride to school?” Wesley gasped.

“Sure, after all, you’d pay a taxi, wouldn’t you?” his dad pointed out reasonably.

“But you’re my DAD!” cried Wesley. “And you’re charging me?”

“Oh Wesley, dear,” said his mother sweetly. “That reminds me! That will be $12.50 for washing and ironing your clothes.”

Wesley walked to school and was late. At lunchtime, he ate the cafeteria food with great gusto. He wondered when he’d taste his mother’s meatloaf again, or her mac and cheese, or her amazing Irish stew…

Boy runs out of money | Source: Unsplash

That night, Wesley came down at dinnertime looking despondent. His parents were having dinner and it smelled delicious. Wesley’s stomach rumbled. “Mom, dad?” he said quietly. “Can we talk?”

“Sure son,” said his father. “What’s on your mind?”

“I just wanted to say I’m sorry about that payment thing. I guess I never thought about everything you two do for me every day, and you never ask for anything in return.”

“We were hoping you’d realize that, Wesley. Everything we do for you, we do out of love, not obligation or duty,” his mother said.

“I know, mom, I’m so sorry,” Wesley whispered, and his eyes filled with tears.

Wesley’s dad got up and put his arms around him. “Son, in this family we do all we can to help each other, to make all our lives easier and better. That’s what being a family is all about, and we were hoping you’d understand that.”

Boy apologizes to his parents | Source: Pexels

Wesley’s mom gave him a hug too and said, “So how about some dinner? I made cottage pie and green beans — your favorite!”

That night, Wesley had one of the nicest evenings ever with his parents, and he learned one of the most important lessons: to appreciate all that his parents do for him and to do his part in helping his family.

What can we learn from this story?

1. Love doesn’t demand payment.

2. A family works as a unit to make their collective lives better.

Share this story with your friends. It might inspire people to share their own stories or to help someone else.

If you enjoyed this story, you might like this one about a spoiled rich girl who leaves her restaurant bill unpaid and learns a painful lesson.

This account is inspired by a subscriber’s story. All names have been changed to protect identities and ensure privacy. If you would like to share your story with us, please send it to [email protected]

Day after My Fiancé Vanished from Our Wedding, I Saw Him Signing Papers in My Father’s Office – Story of the Day

By Amomama

Jun 26, 2025

07:32 A.M.

I knew how much my fiancé loved me until he didn’t show up at the altar on our wedding day. A day later, I saw him signing papers in my father’s office without me knowing what it was about.

Brian and I visited our favorite fine-dining restaurant on the night of our sixth anniversary as a couple. He seemed very nervous, and I kept wondering why. “What’s wrong, Brian? Are you alright?” I asked him as he shifted in his seat a couple of times while looking behind me.

He nodded and tried his best to smile. “Yeah, of course, I’m okay,” he assured me. “It’s our anniversary and I couldn’t be happier.”

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Pexels

I smiled at his answer and proceeded to look at the menu. I had memorized the menu from all the times we’d been at the restaurant, but I still looked look over it for old time’s sake. By the time I looked up from the menu, I got the surprise of my life.

Brian was on one knee, and there was a group of musicians behind him, playing soft, romantic music with their violins. “Jane, honey. We’ve been together for six years now, and I’m more than certain that I want to spend the rest of my life with you,” Brian declared. “Would you do me the honor of being my wife?” he asked.

I gasped and covered my mouth with my hands. “Of course, yes!” I said, jumping from my seat to give Brian a hug. I looked at the beautiful solitaire ring that Brian slipped on my finger and realized how long it would have taken him to save up for something so big and beautiful.

The following day, I went to visit my parents to let them know that Brian had proposed. My mom was delighted for me and gave me a big hug. However, my dad’s reaction was another story.

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Pexels

“You can’t possibly be happy marrying that man, Jane,” he told me. “What will become of you and your children? Will he even afford to buy you a house? To put your kids through private school?” he started to ask.

“Dad, how could you say that? Brian works hard, and I’m working too. We’ll figure it out together as every married couple does!” I shot back.

“How long did it take him to save up for that ring, anyway? As if that’s supposed to convince me that he can take care of you. If I were you, I’d give that ring back and call the wedding off. It’s not too late, Jane. There are many wealthy bachelors I can introduce you to – men that I can actually entrust my daughter and the future of my business with,” he told me.

I scoffed in disbelief, knowing all my dad ever cared about was money. I shook my head and left the house before I could say anything I’d regret.

Brian and I planned our wedding alone, with subtle help from my mom. Three months of preparation passed, and it was finally time for the big day.

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Pexels

Before the ceremony, Brian couldn’t find his sister and his niece. “Where are they?” he asked his mother. Reluctantly, Brian’s mom revealed that his niece Maxine had to be taken to the hospital for an emergency operation on her heart problem.

“Your sister’s been trying to find people she can borrow money from,” his mom told him. “The hospital won’t start on the operation unless they give a downpayment, but Maxine just doesn’t have that much time left. They need to start the operation as soon as they can.”

Without a second thought, Brian decided to approach my dad to ask for help. “Sir, I know this is going to sound bad, but I was wondering if you could lend me money for my niece’s operation. I had just spent most of what’s in my account on the wedding,” Brian admitted.

I decided to have a cup of coffee at a nearby coffee shop when I suddenly saw Brian looking around the area before entering my dad’s office building.

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Pexels

“I promise, I will pay you back in a month. I just need to get through the month before I get my paycheck,” he asked.

My father shook his head. “I knew you were up to no good,” he scoffed. “But yes, I will help you, on one condition,” he told Brian.

“What is it, sir? I’ll do anything,” Brian said without hesitation.

“You don’t need to pay me back for the money, but you need to disappear from Jane’s life. Run away, and never come back,” he declared.

Brian’s heart twitched upon hearing about my father’s condition. However, he remembered what his mom said about Maxine not having much time left, so he reluctantly agreed. It was his only chance to save his niece’s life.

A couple of minutes later, I was at the altar, weeping. Brian didn’t show up to the wedding, and everyone was trying to console me. “What happened? We were okay yesterday,” I cried. “Where did he go?” I kept asking, after hearing from guests that Brian was at the church earlier that morning.

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Pexels

The following day, my dad asked to meet me at his office. I was supposed to meet him in an hour and a half, but I arrived early.

I decided to have a cup of coffee at a nearby coffee shop when I suddenly saw Brian looking around the area before entering my dad’s office building. “What is he doing here?” I asked myself before deciding to follow him.

By the time I got the bill at the coffee shop, Brian had already entered the elevator. I had a feeling that he was on the way to my dad’s office, so I hurried up the next elevator to see what it was all about.

When I arrived, I saw Brian, my dad, and my dad’s lawyer in the same room. Because the glass windows were soundproof, I could not hear what they were talking about. Instead, I watched my dad’s lawyer hand Brian some papers, which he signed before shaking hands with the other men in the room.

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Pexels

I couldn’t stop myself from barging in at that point. “What is this?! What are those papers and why are you here?!” I yelled.

My dad had a smug look on his face as if telling me he knew this would happen all along. “Your groom here just agreed not to see you ever again in exchange for money,” he told me.

I looked at Brian with the most painful look of betrayal. “Is that true?” I said, trying not to choke from the tightening in my throat that came after hearing what my dad had said.

“I’m sorry, Jane. It’s Maxine. She’s dying, and she needs an expensive operation to save her life,” Brian cried. “Yesterday, I asked your dad for help, and he said he’d help me if I didn’t attend the wedding. I’m sorry, Jane. I can’t bear losing my niece,” he sobbed.

“He just signed the agreement that he would never show up in your life ever again. If you hadn’t shown up, the papers stated that he would not be allowed to tell you the truth, either. But now that you’re here, I guess it’s better for you to know that he replaced your relationship for money,” my dad said, slamming the papers on the table.

“How could you do this to me?!” I yelled at my dad. “My life is not some toy you can just play with! You ruined my relationship, and you ruined what was supposed to be the best day of my life!” I cried.

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Pexels

“What kind of father are you?! I never want to see you again,” I said before leaving his office.

I could feel my knees grow weak, and before I could even reach the elevator, I collapsed on the floor, crying. “Why?” I cried to nobody in particular. It was then that I felt Brian’s arms wrap around me.

“I’m sorry, Jane,” he cried. “I love you with all my heart, but I also couldn’t allow Maxine to die. I wouldn’t be able to live with myself.”

“You are the kindest, most selfless man I know,” I told Brian. “I know you only meant well. But I hope you had told me instead of going to my dad. That way, we still could have continued our wedding, and we could have helped Maxine together.”

Brian nodded and sighed upon realizing his mistake. “I didn’t know what to do. You weren’t at the church yet, and your dad was the first one I saw when I heard the news. I’m sorry, Jane,” he apologized to me.

“I understand if you never want to see me again, but I wish you could give me a chance to prove to you how much I love you. I really do, Jane,” he tried to assure me.

“I know you do, Brian, and I love you just as much,” I replied.

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Pexels

That day, we decided to talk about our lives and what we could do moving forward. We visited Maxine at the hospital and paid for the surgery after getting refunds from our wedding suppliers. Maxine successfully underwent surgery, and she once again became the lively, loving girl we all once knew.

Three months passed, and Brian and I decided to start a new life together. We moved to a different city to start fresh, and I decided to cut my dad out of my life for good.

“I hope you understand why I had to do this, mom,” I said when I told my mom my decision of keeping away from dad. “It’s for my own good. He was too toxic for me, and I just couldn’t take it.”

It pained my mom to hear this, but she completely understood where I was coming from. “I will always be here for you, dear,” she assured me. “Please visit me, and always keep in touch. I can’t bear not seeing you for a long time.”

With my mom’s blessing, Brian and I got married in a simple celebration. Only my mom, his parents, a few of our close friends, and his sister and niece were in attendance.

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Pexels

Before leaving town, Brian and I mailed the check my dad had issued back to him. Since then, I never heard from him again. After quitting my job at the family company, he blocked my credit cards and any chance of receiving an inheritance.

With the money I had saved up for years and with Brian’s, too, we were able to buy a small house in the suburbs. I got a job at another company, and together, we worked hard to raise our three children in a loving environment.

What can we learn from this story?

• Never let money get in the way of your relationship. Jane’s dad thought getting Brian away from her would be as simple as giving her money. However, when Jane found out the truth about what her dad did, she was angrier with him than with Brian, as she knew Brian was in a difficult situation that left him with no choice but to agree to her dad’s wishes.
• Always be honest with your spouse and work through life’s challenges together. When Jane found out the truth, all she wanted was for Brian to have told her the truth, to begin with. That way, they could have avoided what happened at the wedding and continued on. Ultimately, they were able to work through their issues and work together to save Maxine and start a new life together without her dad in the picture.

Share this story with your friends. It might brighten their day and inspire them.

If you enjoyed this story, you might like this one about a man who sees two children at his wedding, only to run away with them without explanation.

This piece is inspired by stories from the everyday lives of our readers and written by a professional writer. Any resemblance to actual names or locations is purely coincidental. All images are for illustration purposes only. Share your story with us; maybe it will change someone’s life. If you would like to share your story, please send it to [email protected].

Rich Orphan Visits His Foster Family 10 Years after Moving Out, Finds Dilapidated House There – Story of the Day

By Monica Otayza

Jul 01, 2025

07:38 A.M.

Woman Comes Home and Realizes Son Doesn’t Recognize Her – Story of the Day

By Sonali Pandey

Jun 26, 2025

07:33 A.M.

A mother is torn apart when she comes home and realizes her son doesn’t recognize her anymore. But there’s more to it than meets the eye, and reality hits her hard when the truth is revealed.

Do you believe in fairy tales? Emily didn’t until she met John at the Brooklyn cafe she worked at. She’d been her usual self that day: her hair tied in a messy bun, a coffee-stained apron around her waist, ringing up orders and serving coffee and croissants.

Then he walked up to the counter and requested a caramel latte, and as she placed the cup in front of him, he slipped a tissue toward her. There was a message on it that said:

“I’ve been coming here every day just to see you. I think you’re gorgeous, and I’d love to take you out for dinner, Emily. Pick you up after your shift at 8 tonight?”

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Pexels

Emily knew he was a regular there, and her cheeks grew pink as she read the note. She smiled as she nodded and slipped the tissue inside her jeans’ back pocket. The next morning, she awoke in his arms in his apartment, and the rest was history.

Emily and John were poles apart when it came to their background. John was a businessman, carrying forward the legacy of his grandfather and father, and Emily’s world was so naive and simple and, in a way, sad and lonely.

Her father had died, her mother was ill, and she was a college dropout saving up for her dream destination—Los Angeles.

A person who loves you will appreciate you for who you are and not only for your appearance.

Emily came from a humble background but had always dreamed big. She was waiting to reach LA and try her hands at modeling. If it didn’t work out, she’d pack her bags and return to Brooklyn and tell everyone she had been away for a holiday. But everything changed after John came into her life.

After meeting him, Emily’s dreams lost their significance. John was rich and showered her with the best of everything. She visited the spas and salons every week, and the Emily with the messy bun and ripped sneakers were long gone. She now donned branded outfits, carried expensive purses, and sported fancy stilettos.

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Pexels

Soon, he went down on one knee and proposed to her with an 18-carat diamond ring, and she gasped and said, “Yes! Yes! I will marry you!”

They had a barefoot beach wedding in Emily’s once-dreamed vacation spot in LA, followed by a honeymoon at one of the most luxurious resorts. When they returned to Brooklyn after the honeymoon, Emily realized she was pregnant.

“Honey,” she said anxiously to John. “I… I’m pregnant, and I have no idea what to do!”

“You are?” John asked excitedly. “OMG, babe, I’m so happy! We’re gonna be parents! Oh, Emily, I can’t wait to hold that baby!”

Emily was nervous. “I don’t know if I’m ready, John,” she said quietly. “What if I don’t have maternal instincts? What if I can’t be a good mother?”

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Pexels

“Hey, hey, don’t say that!” John hugged her and assured her that she would become the best mother in the world, even joking that she would enjoy the nine months of motherhood so much that they would end up with a little tribe of children in the near future.

Emily smiled because John was happy and decided to keep the pregnancy. Nine months later, when she held the little life in her arms and felt his heartbeat, she cried and realized John was right.

“He’s lovely, babe,” she said, tears running down her cheeks. “He’s just perfect!”

“Like his mother,” John had said. “We’re finally parents, Emily, and you’re the most beautiful mother our son could ever have. Joel,” he then said. “John + Emily. We’ll call him Joel!”

As John had said, Emily did become a wonderful mother. She loved Joel more than anything, and when John suggested he wasn’t in favor of hiring a nanny, she gladly left everything behind to become a stay-at-home mom.

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Pexels

But when Joel was three, things started changing. Emily was missing her old life. Not the Brooklyn cafe with the aroma of croissants, coffee, and baked goods. She was missing the social life she had become accustomed to since marrying John.

When she first married him, Emily was a modest girl who aspired for big things in life. Then John let her into an unknown world where she dined at fancy restaurants, wore designer dresses, drank only the most premium wine, and socialized with billionaire wives.

After becoming a mother, she no longer did any of that. And she no longer looked pretty either. Her belly was sagging, and she had stretch marks from the pregnancy. She gorged herself on cheeseburgers and cold drinks, and she and John rarely made love.

At that point, Emily imagined everything she shouldn’t have. She imagined John bringing a gorgeous woman home, brazenly confessing their affair, losing Joel, and returning to her old life at the Brooklyn cafe.

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Pexels

No, Emily’s mind protested. She wasn’t going to let that happen. She had to go out and be the rich, attractive, and beautiful Emily again. So she called her mother and begged her to move in with them and care for Joel.

“Mum, please,” Emily begged. “I don’t trust a stranger with Joel, and John would hate it too.”

“But hun,” her mother, Rosaline, argued. “You know my health isn’t in the best shape, and it would be a great responsibility, Emily. I really won’t be able to do this.”

But Emily talked Rosaline into moving in with them, saying she would have the house helpers for assistance and that Joel would love her company.

Rosaline couldn’t argue much. She gave in and moved in with her daughter. John didn’t mind it. He never minded anything, after all. He was too preoccupied even to notice what was brewing in Emily’s mind.

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Pexels

Once Rosaline was well settled, Emily returned to her frivolous life. She was partying, drinking, and hanging out with the rich wives once again. She was also going to the gym and working out to get back into shape.

She’d gotten rid of the sweatpants she’d been wearing all day at home and was back to wearing fancy dresses and expensive perfumes. “You smell great, babe!” John complimented her as he held her in his arms one night. That night, they made love.

Emily was beaming after just a few days of the new changes in her life, and her friends, Cassandra and Alice, were quick to notice that. “You are glowing, hun! What’s the matter?” they eagerly asked as they gathered for lunch one day.

Emily was delighted. “Oh, it’s this life I’m living right now!” she chirped, leaning back into her chair. “Motherhood was really taking a toll on me, guys. Can you imagine being in a jumper all day long and doing the house chores?”

“No way!” Cassandra cried, rolling her eyes. “You know, I’d made it very clear to my husband that I’m returning to the gym as soon as I could after popping our baby out. And, well, he couldn’t argue with that…”

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Pexels

“Christ, let’s not go there,” Alice chimed in. “I was depressed for weeks after giving birth! I missed my friends and these experiences… Going out, having fun, and now my husband and I use protection every time so that we don’t end up with another child! Motherhood is not for me.”

Cassandra smirked. “By the way, Alice, haven’t you been too busy booking your cosmetic treatments?”

Alice waved her hand dismissively. “Oh, come on! It’s nothing!”

“What are you guys talking about?” Emily asked. “Is there anything I’m missing?”

“Come on, Cassandra! Babe, it’s really nothing,” Alice told Emily. “There’s this doctor one of my friends introduced me to, and he’s amazing! I’m getting some procedures done… Getting my breasts bigger, and I really want thin lips. I just don’t like how I look, so yeah, that’s that.”

“WOW!” Emily gasped. “Really?”

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Pexels

“Yep,” Alice said with a wink. “It’s going to be a surprise for my hubby.”

Emily was sure she would never get those procedures done because she loved the way she looked, but months later, when she saw how different and amazing Alice looked, she had an insane idea of trying it.

She booked an appointment with the doctor Alice’s friend had suggested and decided to go for breast augmentation. Emily considered herself pretty, but she also considered herself flat-chested, hence the cosmetic treatment.

However, when Rosaline discovered the doctor’s brochure in Emily’s room and learned what Emily was up to, she was shocked. “It’ll look fake!” she admitted bluntly. “You’re beautiful just the way you are, Emily!”

But Emily rolled her eyes and dismissed her mother. “Come on, Mum! When was the last time a man looked at you? You practically stopped dating after Dad died! I don’t want my husband to cheat on me because he thinks I’m not pretty enough! I’m just going to be a better version of myself!”

“I brought you into this world, Emily, and as a mother, I’d still advise you to think this through. Anyhow, honey, those things would require constant injections, and Lord knows what else.”

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Pexels

“I think I might just get my cheekbones and nose done, too!” Emily answered, looking at herself in the mirror. She flatly ignored a pale white Rosaline, shocked at her suggestion of getting cosmetic surgeries done.

Rosaline also tried telling John about it in the hope he would convince Emily otherwise, but he was too preoccupied with his work to care. “Ah, it’s alright, Mom,” he said. “Emily is not a child. I can’t tell her what to do and what not to do. It’s going to be fine. I’m OK with it.”

John was in a rush that day and left for the business trip without noting the horror in Rosaline’s eyes. Days later, Emily underwent the first part of the treatment and looked horrible. Blue bruises and bandages marked her eyes, her face was scarlet and swollen, and her skin bore scars, making her look terrible.

But after being discharged, when Emily returned home, she was really happy. Just a little more time and I’ll look perfect, she thought. She parked her car in the driveway, grabbed her things, and got out of the car. When she entered her house, she saw Joel playing with his toys and realized how much she had missed him.

“Hi, baby!” she squealed, dropping the keys in the bowl by the front door shelf. “I missed you!”

But as she approached Joel, he ran away from her. “You, not Mommy!” he cried. “Granny!”

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Pexels

Emily didn’t understand what was going on.

“Oh, dear!” Rosaline gasped as she came to the living room. “I advised you against those procedures, Emily! No wonder Joel is scared!”

“Mom!” Emily snapped. “How can he not recognize me!? I don’t look that different!”

Joel, who was hiding behind Rosaline, peered at Emily and said, “You… not Mommy! Mommy was beautiful!”

Emily’s heart was broken when Joel said that. “Oh! Well, maybe it’s the after-effects of the surgeries,” she said, holding back her tears. “It’ll be fine. I’m your mommy, Joel. And I’ll become more beautiful. Just some more time…”

But nothing changed. Time passed, and Emily’s bruises disappeared, but Joel didn’t recognize her.

Emily was crushed. She sang him lullabies she used to sing to him as a child, bribed him with his favorite pancakes and cookies, and told him about the times they had spent together, but it was all for naught. Joel just didn’t recognize her anymore.

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Pexels

Emily now regretted the procedures she had undergone. She wanted to get them done so she wouldn’t lose John and Joel, but Joel had already pushed her away. But there was something Emily wasn’t aware of.

One day, she was sitting in her armchair on the back porch and reading a book when Joel dashed up to her with a flower from their garden. “Mommy! This for you!” he chirped, and Emily was overjoyed. “Oh! Thank you, darling—” she began, then paused.

“Wait! You called me Mommy! Joel! Do you remember who I am now?”

“Oops!” Joel pressed his palms on his lips. “Granny… she said we were playing a game!”

“What game, Joel?” Emily asked angrily. Joel then revealed the truth, which shocked Emily to the core.

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Pexels

He said Rosaline had asked him to pretend he didn’t know Emily from the minute she got home from the doctor’s clinic. Every day Joel did that, Rosaline bought him a new toy. Joel said the game was fun and that he wanted to continue playing it, so he stopped calling her Mommy.

Emily was furious and confronted Rosaline. “Really, Mom?” she snarled. “You made my son lie to me? Joel told me everything about your ridiculous game!”

“Well, honey,” Rosaline said. “I did that! Yes, I did… so you don’t go for any other ridiculous procedures! Those things are dangerous, and I didn’t want you to lose your natural beauty. You’re already beautiful, honey!”

Emily lashed out at Rosaline, defending herself by saying that she wanted to look more beautiful for John until a voice from behind said, “I agree with Mom, Emily!”

John was home from the business trip, and he couldn’t believe Emily had undergone plastic surgery. He said he loved her and would always do so because of her honesty, kindness, and humility, and for the woman she was. Not for some ridiculous cosmetic procedures!

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Pexels

“You’re beautiful the way you are, Emily!” he said. “And I never want you to change.”

That day, Emily realized she had over-thought things and gone too far. She decided to cancel all her further appointments and stopped blindly following what her other friends did. Rosaline admitted she was wrong to involve Joel in this, but in the end, it all worked out for the best.

What can we learn from this story?

• A person who loves you will appreciate you for who you are and not only for your appearance. John was always in love with Emily’s personality, and his feelings for her never changed.
• Sometimes it takes a loss to appreciate what you have. Please appreciate your body the way it is. Emily understood how pointless the cosmetic surgeries were when John explained he loved her for her heart and not just her appearance, and she almost lost Joel.

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If you enjoyed this story, you might like this one about a soldier who returns home unexpectedly to propose to his girlfriend and runs away after seeing her in a bridal gown.