We had been married for almost two years, living in a modest apartment near the company where we both worked.
We weren’t wealthy, but we managed to pay the rent, cover expenses, and save a little for the future.

My mother-in-law lived in the countryside, about forty kilometers away. At first, she was kind and considerate. But ever since we moved out, she began visiting weekly.
Initially, she claimed she just wanted to “see the children,” but soon it became routine—and eventually, my quiet suffering.

Every Saturday, I went to the market to buy meat, fish, vegetables, milk, and fruit for the week.
I planned every meal carefully since our budget was tight. Yet every Sunday, after my mother-in-law’s visit, the refrigerator would be nearly empty.

Whenever she came, she’d open the fridge and cupboards, take some meat and vegetables, and smile:

“We don’t have much in the countryside, so I’ll take these with me. You two are living well now—you won’t miss them.”

I would force a faint smile, saying nothing. But each week, it was the same story: the fridge wiped clean, and by midweek, I was eating instant noodles.

One evening, I gently told my husband,
“Honey, your mother takes all the food… it makes me sad. I have to count every coin we spend.”

Before I could finish, he slammed his hand on the table.

“You’re selfish! She’s my mother! What’s wrong with her taking a little food? What kind of daughter-in-law are you?”

I was stunned into silence. From that day on, I never brought it up again. But inside, the hurt grew—not from the food, but from my husband’s refusal to see how much I was struggling.

So, I decided to teach them both a quiet lesson.

That Sunday, I went to the market as usual and bought the same groceries. But this time, I prepared something special—a note tucked inside a large plastic container along with the grocery receipt.

On the note, I wrote:
“Mom, I don’t mind the food, but each time you take it, I have to skip breakfast to buy more. We’re still trying to make ends meet. I didn’t say anything because I didn’t want to upset you, but I’m truly tired…”

I labeled the container “Pepper Beef Stew”—her favorite dish—and placed it in the middle of the fridge.

When she arrived, she opened the fridge and smiled.
“My daughter-in-law loves me so much—she even made my favorite meal!”

But when she lifted the lid, her smile vanished. Her hands shook as the note fell from her fingers.

“Child… did you write this?”

I nodded, my eyes brimming with tears.
“I didn’t mean to hide it, Mom. I just wanted you to understand how we’re living. I don’t want this to come between you and your son.”

There was a long, heavy silence. Then she whispered,
“I didn’t know… I thought you had enough. When I saw my son doing well, I assumed it was fine to take a little. I was wrong.”

Just then, my husband walked out of the bedroom. He picked up the note—his face went pale when he read the line: ‘I have to skip breakfast.’

“I’m sorry… I didn’t know you were struggling like this,” he murmured, eyes full of guilt.

He dropped to his knees before me, tears falling. I knelt too, crying quietly.

My mother-in-law, also in tears, took my hands.
“I’ve been foolish, child. I never meant to hurt you. From now on, I’ll bring vegetables and eggs from the farm. Please, let me make it right.”

That day, for the first time, we shared a peaceful meal together. She told stories from her village, and my husband served her food with tenderness. The air felt warm again.

Before leaving, she held my hand and said,
“Thank you for teaching me with kindness. Sometimes, even us elders need gentle reminders.”

I smiled. Sometimes, you don’t need to argue or shout—just an honest word, spoken with love, can change everything.

Since then, she still visits every weekend, but now she always arrives with baskets of fresh vegetables and eggs, cheerfully saying:
“Let my daughter-in-law cook something delicious today!”

My husband changed too. He began helping with chores and showing real care. One day, he smiled and said,
“Don’t worry, this fridge belongs only to us now. Mom only brings food in—she never takes it out anymore.”

I laughed softly. After all the storms, I finally found peace in the warmth of our little kitchen.