My mother-in-law, Gertrude, never seemed to approve of me. Every time we met, she’d find something to criticize. But that day, she crossed a line when she told me I wasn’t beautiful enough for her son. It was the last straw, and I decided to enter a beauty contest to prove her wrong, even though she tried to sabotage me there too.
David and I had just returned from our honeymoon, full of joy, but Gertrude never showed me any respect. At dinner that night, she criticized my cooking and appearance.
“Grace, have you tried seasoning the soup with thyme? It would improve the flavor,” she said, her voice dripping with condescension.
I smiled tightly and replied, “I’ll keep that in mind.”
Then she remarked on my lipstick, claiming it didn’t suit my skin tone, and made other little jabs that added up. I tried to remain calm, but when David left to check his email, Gertrude told me outright:
“You’re not beautiful enough for my son.”
Her words stung, but instead of breaking down, I retreated to my design studio—my passion. As I sat there, I saw an invitation to a beauty contest from a friend. Despite my doubts, I entered. I wanted to prove myself, not just to Gertrude, but to me.
David, as usual, was supportive. “Grace, I think it’s a great idea. You should do it for yourself.” His encouragement gave me the strength to go through with it. I underwent intense preparation and learned from others, even making friends like Emma, who appreciated my kindness.
One night, I found my dress for the contest ruined. Suspecting sabotage, I gave my dress to a contestant who needed it more than I did, even though it meant I’d wear something less glamorous. My selflessness earned me a standing ovation, and the People’s Choice award.
Afterward, I confronted Gertrude, revealing her sabotage. David, finally understanding the situation, supported me. He told his mother it was time to accept me and treat me with the respect I deserved.
As we walked away, hand in hand, I knew I had finally stood up for myself.
Leave a Reply