She crossed her arms. "You're always so frugal. You never spend money on yourself. I assumed even if I offered it, you'd refuse and tell me to return it for a refund. I didn't think you'd actually be selfish enough to eat it."
Yes, I thought bitterly. I am frugal. I have never been willing to spend an extra cent on myself.
Because Jonathan has a refined palate, I buy expensive organic produce. Because Aria needed to recover after the birth, I bought premium free-range chickens and high-end supplements. My granddaughter's imported formula costs a fortune per can.
And who paid for all of it? I did. I subsidized their lifestyle with my own pension.
But my funds are limited. After pouring everything into their mouths, I had nothing left for myself.
I stopped buying new clothes. I didn't dare eat a single piece of the expensive fruit I bought for them. I wouldn't even see a doctor when pain wracked my body.
I starved myself to feed them, and now my own daughter called me selfish.
I had always believed my sacrifices were worth it. As long as my family was happy, my exhaustion and suffering were small prices to pay.
I was wrong.