I’d ruin the vibe—called me “elderly” like I was a stranger. Heartbroken, I left with Rachel, who had no idea Emily had excluded me. She took me to a lovely restaurant, gave me a thoughtful birthday gift—a brooch I once admired—and told me how much I meant to her. That night, I decided to change my plans. The house I had planned to gift Emily?
I gave it to Rachel instead—the granddaughter who truly saw me. The next day, Emily burst into my house, demanding her wedding gift. When I told her about the house, she was furious, accusing me of turning Rachel against her. I reminded her that love isn’t just about giving—it’s about being seen and respected. And on her wedding day, she made it clear I was neither. Rachel stood beside me as Emily stormed out, and in that moment, I realized: family isn’t just who you raise—it’s who chooses to love you back, even when they don’t have to.