Not long after marrying, I noticed my husband become distant. It was a heartbreaking shift. Throughout our courtship, he was loving and considerate, but after the wedding, all chores were left to me. He stopped working as hard, claiming he was “stressed,” while I worked double shifts to cover our bills.
When I turned 30, I invited people close to me to a party. I paid for the catering, the venue, and the drinks. At the celebration, Patricia, my mother-in-law, lifted her glass. She had always looked down on my humble beginnings.
She proclaimed, “TO THE MAID’S DAUGHTER WHO MARRIED WELL!”
The room fell silent after her words. It wasn’t a joke; it was a sneer. My husband laughed uncontrollably, capturing the moment on camera. He didn’t defend me. He joined in. Gasps sounded as my friends’ faces changed with shock.
I stared at him, laughing at my expense, and something inside me snapped. The love I had for him evaporated instantly.
I walked over to the DJ booth and cut the music. I took the microphone.
“Thank you, Patricia,” I said, my voice steady. “You’re right. My mother was a maid. And do you know what she taught me? She taught me how to clean up messes.”
I turned to my husband, who was still smirking.
“She also taught me the value of hard work. That’s how I was able to buy this house we’re standing in. That’s how I was able to buy the car you drive. And that’s how I’ve been paying off your credit card debt for the last year while you played video games.”
The smirk vanished from his face. Patricia looked pale.
“You’re right, Patricia. I did marry well,” I continued, looking around the silent room. “I married a man who showed me exactly what I don’t want in a partner. So, since I’m just the ‘maid’s daughter,’ I think it’s time I did some cleaning.”
I pointed to the door.
“Get out. Both of you. This is my house, in my name. You can go ‘marry well’ somewhere else.”
My friends cheered. Security—who were actually friends of my dad—escorted them out. I filed for divorce the next day. Being a maid’s daughter means I know exactly how to take out the trash.
