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After Cutting Ties, I Watched My Ungrateful Daughter Face The Consequences
In our tenth year of marriage, Harrison Drake cheated on me.
He had the audacity to bring his affair partner’s two kids into my home and tell me they needed a father.
Our daughter Scarlett begged him to stay, but he wasn’t moved.
I didn’t cause a scene. I took Scarlett and left. For her sake, I didn’t remarry–I didn’t want her to face more instability.
Years later, Scarlett met a good man, and they had a beautiful daughter, Delilah. I spent my days helping to raise her, and we were happy.
On my sixtieth birthday, Scarlett and her husband Jazz told me they’d be busy with work and would have to postpone my birthday dinner for the next day.
But that evening, a video on a local news feed appeared on my phone.
There, in a private suite at The Emerald Bay Inn, was my daughter, her husband, my granddaughter, and Harrison with his other two kids, all singing “Happy Birthday to the woman he had left me for–Vivienne.
And my daughter even called her “Mom Vivi.
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Scarlett told me she wanted to throw a big celebration for my sixtieth birthday.
I told her not to go overboard.
She insisted, saying she appreciated everything I’d done for her and wanted it to be meaningful.
Hearing that warmed my heart.
For years, I raised Scarlett on my own, watching her grow up, get married, and become a mother. Her husband, Jazz, has always treated me well, like his own mother. And Delilah is such a sweet girl, always calling me “Grandma” with that little smile.
I finally felt happy, and the pain of Harrison’s betrayal was fading.
So when Scarlett brought up the big celebration, I was touched. I couldn’t wait for the day.
As you get older, the warmth of family means so much more.
So on my birthday, I got up early, organized everything, took Delilah to Maplewood Academy, and set breakfast on the table before Scarlett and Jazz left for work.
Scarlett said they’d finish work early and be home soon for the dinner.
So I waited, keeping the house clean and ready
But hours passed, and they still hadn’t come home. Worried something might have happened, I picked up the phone to call her.
Then my phone rang. It was Scarlett.
“Mom, I’m so sorry, but there’s an urgent situation at work, and Jazz is in the same boat. We couldn’t get out of it, so we’ll have to reschedule your birthday…
Her voice sounded full of guilt.
I felt disappointed, but I knew their work was important, so I steadied my emotions and told her, “It’s fine. Work comes first. Don’t worry about me. I can pick Delilah up-”
“Oh! One more thing!” Scarlett interrupted before I could finish.
“Mom, since it’s your birthday. don’t do anything. I have a friend who’ll be passing by Manlewood Acacias
n and can nick
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Knowing she had a lot on her plate, I was hesitant. “Are you sure? Delilah’s at that age where she gets pretty rowdy, and I wouldn’t want her distracting you.”
She sounded flustered, raising her voice slightly. “It’s no problem, Mom. Just enjoy your birthday. Don’t worry about Delilah. I have to head into a meeting now, so we’ll talk later.”
Before I could respond, she hung up, leaving me there with the empty line.
I sighed.
Scarlett had been overworked lately, even looking thinner. Wanting to do something nice, I headed to the kitchen to make a long–simmered chicken soup for her and Jazz.
With the chicken on the stove and the housework finished, I settled onto the sofa with my phone to relax.
As people do when they get older, I’d gotten in the habit of watching videos for entertainment.
Scrolling through the feed, nothing caught my eye. I was just about to exit the app when my finger slipped, and I accidentally opened the local
video section.
And there, on the cover thumbnail, was Scarlett’s unmistakable profile.
