I told my son I lost my job he kicked me out. But he didn’t know I had just received $8M. So I…

My son kicked me out when he found out I lost my job—but he had no idea I had a secret fortune

I gave everything to my son Ethan. For 30 years, I poured my life into raising him, working tirelessly, nursing him through illness, paying for his education. I even gave up my marriage, gave up my own life, just so he could have a better one.

But the day I told him I had lost my job, his first response was to throw me out, calling me a useless burden, a parasite. That was the moment I stopped swallowing my pride. I refused to be the mother who got stepped on any longer.

I was going to stand up for myself. Ethan thought I had nothing. What he didn’t know was that my late employer who really respected me for the past years I devoted had left me a fortune.

And this time, I’ll make sure him realize that the price of betraying me is far greater than he could ever imagine. I had just gotten home when I told my son Ethan that I wouldn’t be working for Catherine anymore. I hadn’t even gotten to explain why before his face darkened and he cut me off mid-sentence.

His voice rose sharply, his face flushing with anger. Why would you suddenly quit? That was $8,000 a month. What are you planning to do now? Just sit around freeloading.

The bit of joy I’d felt coming home instantly vanished. Did he really think I left that job just to take it easy? I came back because I wanted to make life easier for them. His words hit me like a slap in the face but I didn’t lash out.

I knew he’d been under a lot of pressure these past few years. His wife, Nicole, came from a family that never thought of ours. Her mother’s a university professor and her father works in local government.

They’ve always looked down on Ethan’s background. To them, their daughter married beneath her. Nicole, following their lead, constantly took jabs at him, calling out his salary, his upbringing, anything she could to chip away at his confidence.

Still, I figured once they found out about the inheritance Catherine left me, $8 million, they’d finally see Ethan in a new light. Maybe even treat him with some respect for once. But I didn’t bring up the money.

Not yet. Instead, I mentioned the other reason I’d come home. Didn’t you say Nicole’s planning to get pregnant soon? I thought I’d come back early to help out, support her during the pregnancy, help with recovery afterward, maybe even lend a hand with the baby.

Nicole’s expression turned cold in an instant. I could have sworn she even scoffed. Postpartum recovery requires professional care, she said flatly.

You used to work as a housekeeper. What would you know about that? Her mother, Susan, shot me a dismissive look and chimed in without missing a beat. Taking care of a newborn isn’t just diapers and bottles.

It’s a science. You need actual training. This isn’t something amateurs can handle.

The two of them tag-teamed their condescension so seamlessly, it was clear they’d already rehearsed this routine. And just like that, I’d been written off as an unfit caregiver. I gave a silent, bitter laugh.

Nothing had changed. They still saw me as beneath them. Still, to keep the peace, I forced a smile and said, Well, if everything’s already arranged, I won’t get in the way.

I’ll leave the baby care to you. Susan rolled her eyes, like that was the only sensible thing I’d said all evening. Fine, she replied.

But you’ll cover the cost of the nanny and the baby nurse. I’ll handle the hiring and coordination. That one line left me speechless, a tight knot forming in my chest.

My son Ethan jumped right in, picking up where Susan left off without missing a beat. Exactly, Mom, you never should’ve quit that job. Our expenses are about to double soon.

You really ought to keep working. That’s when it hit me, clear as day. They never wanted me to come home to rest.

They just needed a steady paycheck funneled into the household. I was nothing more than a laborer to them, a walking ATM. My face hardened.

I’m 58. I think it’s time for me to get some rest and retired. Retired? Nicole let out a bitter laugh.

You don’t even have a pension. What retirement are you talking about? Her words nearly knocked the air out of me. I wanted to pay into a retirement plan years ago.

It was you all who told me to save the money and help pay off your mortgage early instead. Now you throw that in my face. Nicole tossed her hair and snapped.

That’s because your income was pathetic. Who told you to buy a house you couldn’t afford without a loan? You should’ve planned better. Ethan, now trying to calm Nicole down, raised his voice at me.

Enough, Mom. Nicole’s trying to get pregnant. You’re just stressing her out.

This is when we really need the money and you should be helping. You’re still in great shape. There’s no reason you can’t keep working another 20 years.

Save the retirement talk for when you’re 80. Another 20 years. I froze, hollowed out by a wave of sadness I couldn’t put into words.

After everything I’d given, every sacrifice, every hour worked, every dollar earned, I was still nothing more than a cash machine in their eyes. That’s when I truly saw it for what it was. All the talk of respect and gratitude, just sugar-coated lies to keep me working.

Back when Ethan was still in college, he’d already started dating Nicole. To help them live more comfortably, and to appease Nicole’s judgmental family, I left everything behind and moved to another city to work as a live-in housekeeper, just so I could save enough to buy them a house. They didn’t pay a single cent, yet the deed bore only their names.

And back then, with tears in their eyes, they told me, one day when we’re better off we’ll take care of you. You’ll finally get the life you deserve. But now I know what they meant by, the life I deserve.

A life of endless labor right up until my body gives out at 80. I held back my tears, steadied my voice and said firmly, I said I’m retiring. That’s final.

No one gets to make that decision for me. Susan must’ve realized I was serious and worried I might actually stop supporting them. Her tone softened instantly.

Look, it’s not that we don’t understand, you just have to be realistic. There’s no spare room in the house for you. You can’t expect to stay here forever, right? But I do have a compromise.

I narrowed my eyes. Something about her expression made my stomach twist. I happen to know a wealthy family looking for a live-in assistant.

Good pay, room and board included. You’ve done that kind of work before. Should be an easy transition.

Nicole jumped in with a smirk. Perfect idea actually. You could even help ease our financial load.

Whatever you earn could go toward household expenses. Win-win, right? Susan shrugged and added, you’re not someone who really needs to rest anyway. Going back to work wouldn’t kill you.

Don’t be so quick to say no, just give it a try. If you do well, you might even get to stay long term. My face turned colder by the second.

I already quit. I’m not going back into anyone’s house to work ever again. Susan’s smile vanished.

Her gaze shifted sharp now, calculating. Well, if you’re really done working for others, fine. She paused, her voice suddenly airy but laced with pressure.

There’s a senior residence nearby. Good facilities, decent meals and lodging. You could apply for a work-based stay.

Maybe kitchen help, janitorial services. Something to earn your keep. Nicole rolled her eyes and scoffed.

Now that’s more reasonable. You can’t just live in a hotel and expect us to foot the bill. At least in assisted living you’d be pulling your own weight.

Stop expecting us to carry you. Rage simmered in my chest but I forced myself to stay composed. I turned to Ethan.

You really think it’s acceptable to send your own mother off to scrub floors in a retirement facility just to keep herself fed? His eyes darted away but he tried to keep up his rational act. Mom, be realistic. You’ve always said you wanted to be independent.

Isn’t this the most dignified way to do that? You support yourself and we don’t owe each other anything. And besides, he added pulling out his phone, there’s an open spot available right now. I already called earlier to check.

You could move in as soon as today. Then right in front of me he started dialing the number again. I could hardly believe what I was witnessing.

The child I had poured my entire life into raising was now so eager to shove me out the door like I was nothing more than dead weight. My hands trembled and tears streamed down my face unstoppable. Ethan, I gave everything I had to raise you.

I drained my savings to buy you a home. And now at this moment all you see me as is a burden you can’t wait to get rid of? Is this how you repay your mother? For a brief second guilt flickered in his eyes but it was quickly swallowed by rage. He kicked over my suitcase sending it crashing to the floor.

You think you suffered? That was your choice. If you hadn’t divorced my dad we wouldn’t have ended up broke. I could have grown up rich and you ruined that.

Let me tell you something Margaret. You owe me for the rest of your life. I stood there in stunned silence staring into his bloodshot eyes as a dull unrelenting pain tore through my chest like a blunt knife twisting slowly slicing into everything I had left.

He had no idea. The only reason I divorced his father was for him. If I hadn’t walked away from that marriage his so-called wealthy father never would have claimed him as his son…