I Overheard My MIL and My Husband’s Plan to Hide the Food from Me as I’m ‘Too Fat’ — I Took Revenge on Them Both
Emily is horrified as she overhears her mother-in-law and husband whispering cruel plans in the kitchen. Their scheme to hide food from her because she is “too fat” deeply disturbs her. Determined to take a stand and end the toxicity, Emily devises a clever revenge they won’t see coming.
A plus-size woman looking out the window | Source: Midjourney
“Honey, but you don’t want to live with an elephant, do you?” Noele’s voice cut through the kitchen doorway.
I froze on the couch, my knitting needles pausing in mid-air. Did I hear that right? My heart raced as I leaned closer to listen.
A woman knitting | Source: Unsplash
“I don’t, but she’ll notice it and start asking questions,” my husband replied uneasily.
“Play dumb. And I’ll take all the food. I’m ashamed to have such a big daughter-in-law. She’s too fat,” Noele continued, her voice dripping with disdain.
A senior woman talking to a man | Source: Freepik
I felt my heart shatter into a million pieces. Three years ago, I gave birth to our son at 40, and my body never bounced back.
I worked long hours to support our family, and I even helped Noele financially when she needed it. How could she say such hurtful things about me?
A sad woman | Source: Midjourney
I put down my knitting and stared at the wall, trying to process what I’d just heard. Tears welled up in my eyes, but I blinked them away. I didn’t want to cry, not now.
My phone buzzed, pulling me out of my thoughts. I realized I had been staring into space, my mind replaying last week’s events when Noele visited us.
A woman holding a phone | Source: Unsplash
I didn’t know all the missing food was her doing. She was sneakily removing food from the fridge because she didn’t want a fat woman in her son’s life.
I took a deep breath and checked the phone. It was a message from Alexander, my husband.
A man using his phone | Source: Unsplash
It said: “Hey honey, don’t wait up. My friends are insisting I stay over for a little more time :)”
Lately, he always seemed to have an excuse to stay away. I wondered if it was because of my weight, too. Did he really see me as an elephant?
A woman sitting on a sofa | Source: Unsplash
I put my phone down and wiped my eyes. I needed to stay strong for my son. He was the light of my life, and I couldn’t let their hurtful words break me. But it wasn’t easy.
Every glance in the mirror reminded me of their conversation. Every meal I cooked felt like a betrayal.
A happy woman cooking | Source: Freepik
I tried to focus on the positive. I had a good job, a beautiful son, and a home that I had worked hard to build. Noele’s comments couldn’t take that away from me. Yet, the pain lingered.
As I lay in bed that night, I kept replaying the conversation I had overheard. The sting of their insults was fresh, and the more I thought about it, the angrier I became.
A woman in bed | Source: Midjourney
“I can’t believe they think this way about me,” I whispered to myself, glancing at Alexander, who slept soundly beside me. “I’m the one working and buying all the food.”
I sighed and stared at the ceiling. It wasn’t fair. I had always tried to be kind and supportive. I put everyone else’s needs before my own, but what did I get in return? Cruel words and hurtful remarks.
A woman posing | Source: Freepik
Suddenly, it hit me. I had been too kind for too long. It was time to stand up for myself. I deserved respect and appreciation, not insults and judgment. I turned to look at Alexander again.
He seemed so peaceful, completely oblivious to the turmoil raging inside me.
A man sleeping comfortably | Source: Pexels
I couldn’t keep living like this, letting their words break me down. Tomorrow, I would start making changes. I wouldn’t let Noele’s hurtful comments dictate how I felt about myself. And I wouldn’t let Alexander’s silence continue.
He needed to know how his words, or lack thereof, were affecting me. We were supposed to be partners, a team. It was time for him to step up and support me.
I woke up early, determined to put my plan into action.
Interior of a bedroom | Source: Pexels
After breakfast, I decided to visit the Asian market to buy some unique ingredients. As I entered the market, the variety of products overwhelmed me, but I knew exactly what I was looking for.
“Excuse me,” I said to the vendor, picking up a jar. “How much is this?”
An Asian market vendor | Source: Midjourney
The vendor smiled and told me the price. “These are very popular,” he said. “Great for special recipes.”
“Perfect,” I replied, adding several jars to my basket. “I’ll take these.”
A jar of Asian pickle | Source: Freepik
Once I had everything I needed, I headed home. Alexander was out, and I knew Noele was supposed to come over in the evening. I had the whole day to prepare.
I took a day off from work to make sure everything was perfect. First, I emptied our fridge of all the old food items.
A stocked fridge | Source: Unsplash
Then, I carefully filled jars and bottles with the ‘unique’ groceries I had bought, making sure they looked like the regular food jars Noele was used to seeing. I even labeled a few of them with familiar names to complete the illusion.
“This should do it,” I muttered to myself, feeling a mixture of excitement and nervousness.
A woman restocking the fridge | Source: Pexels
After setting up the camera to capture Noele’s reaction, I took a step back to admire my handiwork. Everything was in place, and now all I had to do was wait.
I spent the rest of the day tidying up and making sure there was no evidence of my plan.
As the evening approached, I felt a mix of anticipation and nerves.
A smiling woman | Source: Pexels
Noele arrived right on time, and I made sure to be out of the house for a few hours, giving her the perfect opportunity to raid the fridge.
When I returned home, I walked into the kitchen to find Noele pale and shaking, holding a jar filled with live insects. Her eyes were wide with shock and anger.
“What the hell is this?!” she screamed, her voice trembling.
A shocked elderly woman | Source: Freepik
I put on my most innocent face. “Oh, Noele, what’s wrong? Did you find something you didn’t like?”
“These… these jars! They’re filled with bugs! And some of them are still alive! Are you insane?” she shouted, her hands shaking as she held up the jar.
“Oh, those?” I replied calmly. “I thought you might enjoy some exotic snacks. I hear they’re very nutritious.”
Several jars filled with insects | Source: Midjourney
“This is disgusting! How could you do this?” she yelled, her face turning red with anger.
I took a deep breath. “How could I do this?” I snapped. “How could you steal from me and insult me behind my back? You thought I wouldn’t find out? You thought I wouldn’t hear you calling me an elephant and plotting to take all the food I buy with my hard-earned money?”
A confident-looking woman | Source: Unsplash
Noele’s face paled even more. She opened her mouth to speak but couldn’t find the words. I continued, my voice steady and firm.
“I’ve put up with your insults and disrespect for too long, Noele. I work hard to support this family, and all you do is take advantage of my kindness. Well, not anymore. This is my home, and you will respect it and me.”
At that moment, Alexander walked in, looking shocked and confused.
A man staring in shock | Source: Unsplash
He glanced at the jar in Noele’s hand, then at me. “What’s going on here?”
“Oh, your mother is just discovering my special surprise for her,” I said calmly. “I decided to stock up on some unique groceries.”
Noele thrust the jar towards him. “She filled the fridge with insects! This is her idea of revenge!”
I wasn’t done yet.
A woman looking at her reflection in the mirror | Source: Midjourney
“Actually,” I interjected, “it’s my idea of justice. You both thought you could humiliate me and take advantage of me. Well, now you know that actions have consequences. You don’t get to insult me and steal from me without facing the fallout.”
“This is outrageous! You’re out of your mind!” Noele shouted, her voice shaking with fury.
A woman in shock | Source: Freepik
“Maybe,” I replied, meeting her glare. “Or maybe I’m just tired of being disrespected in my own home. You can leave now, and don’t bother coming back unless you plan to treat me with the respect I deserve.”
Noele stormed out, still clutching the jar, and Alexander stood there, speechless.
“I can’t believe you did that,” he finally said, his voice filled with shock. It was time to teach my husband a lesson.
A surprised man | Source: Unsplash
“Believe it,” I said firmly. “And if you think for one second that I’ll tolerate this behavior from either of you again, think again. This is my house, and I won’t be treated like a doormat.”
Alexander looked down, his face flushed with embarrassment. “I… I’m sorry,” he said quietly.
“Sorry isn’t enough,” I replied.
A woman standing with her hands on her hips | Source: Unsplash
“You need to earn back my trust and respect. Until then, don’t expect things to go back to normal. And I hope you’re looking for a job. Because you clearly don’t help me at home. Maybe if I have the time, I can focus on my health, yes?”
From that day forward, the dynamic in our house changed. Noele didn’t dare to show us her face since then, and Alexander had a lot to make up for. Sometimes, you have to take a stand and teach people that you won’t be pushed around.
Do you think I was right to take a stand for myself?
A happy plus-size woman | Source: Unsplash
Kathy Bates: A Brave Warrior Fighting Against Cancer
Narratives of affluent Hollywood stars grappling with health issues serve as a reminder that they are akin to us. The Academy Award-winning actress Kathy Bates talked candidly about her fight with cancer and the difficulties she endured in silence during a recent interview on the Dr. Phil program. Even though she was well-known, Bates ended up portraying a brave heroine in a true story, overcoming cancer twice.
She said in 2012 that she had been cancer-free for nine years and had triumphantly battled ovarian cancer. But a few weeks ago, she received the heartbreaking news that she had breast cancer. She likened the moment she was given this devastating diagnosis as being in a room that was scarier than something from an American Horror Story.
In 2003, Bates had already gone through a trying time due to ovarian cancer. She kept her fight a secret while enduring grueling surgery and nine months of chemotherapy. She told just a select few people about it, including PEOPLE magazine, and stated, “It really took a lot out of me, but I didn’t want anyone to know.”
She overcame ovarian cancer and maintained her cancer-free status for many years because to her tenacity and fortitude. But when her doctor told her that the cancer had come back, this time in her breast, her fight was far from done. Bates wasn’t totally shocked by this setback, noting that breast cancer runs in her family.
Bates decided to have a double mastectomy in order to halt the spread of her breast cancer. She turned her tragedy into inspiration for other women rather than letting it break her soul. Bates kept her vibrant personality and sense of humor despite hardship. She cracked a joke, saying, “I miss ‘Harry’s Law’ more than my breasts,” and thanked her followers for their continuous support through her lowest points.
Bates no longer has cancer, but because her lymph nodes were removed, she now suffers from lymphedema. About 30% of breast cancer survivors have this illness, which makes daily living uncomfortable due to pain and edema. But Bates won’t allow it to define who she is. She candidly recounts her experience in an effort to inspire other women to make routine checkups a priority and to reassure them that they are not fighting this battle alone.
In addition, Bates has agreed to represent the Lymphatic Education & Research Network (LE&RN) by using her platform to advocate for people with lymphedema and to increase public awareness of the condition.
Bates has gained resilience and a sense of purpose over her experience. “I’m grateful that my difficulties have given me a sense of purpose,” she muses. It’s intriguing how events unfold in that manner.
The conversation with Kathy Bates illuminates the difficulties she overcame and offers hope to anyone who might be going through comparable struggles. Her experience serves as a reminder that, given enough willpower, empathy, and encouragement, we can turn our own hardships into assets.
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