Bringing Food to the Hospital for My Grandfather, My Mother Was Berated by My Sister-in-Law for Being “Useless at Almost 50”

I stood in the hospital parking lot, stunned, as I watched my sister-in-law throw my mother’s lunch box from the third floor, shattering it and spilling the food everywhere.

Family Tensions and Conflict

My family has had its fair share of conflicts, but for over 20 years, the most prominent issues have been between my sister-in-law and me. She is the one who often stirs up trouble, while my mother is calm and patient, always trying to keep the peace for the sake of family harmony.

Even after my mother married and moved away, my sister-in-law continued to create problems. My grandmother once asked her why she had to make life difficult for her daughter. My sister-in-law nonchalantly replied that when my mother first came to the family, she gave her a disapproving look, and that “stuck” with her to this day.

But my mother denied ever behaving that way. In our neighborhood, she was known for being gentle and kind, as both of my grandparents were teachers. Despite this, my sister-in-law continued to spread rumors about my mother, claiming she was fake and not as sweet as she appeared.

A Quiet Escape

Although no one in the family liked my sister-in-law, we all tolerated her for the sake of my brother, who was stuck in the middle. My grandparents, who valued education and propriety, never argued with their daughter-in-law. They tried to advise her to be kinder, but eventually, they gave up and offered my brother’s family a plot of land to live separately.

Since then, there have been fewer confrontations, but at family gatherings like holidays or anniversaries, my mother still had to face my sister-in-law. Over the years, my mother grew accustomed to her behavior, ignoring whatever harsh words my sister-in-law directed her way. The neighbors knew about my sister-in-law’s sharp tongue and avoided her. When she slandered my mother, no one paid attention because it became repetitive and tiresome.

The Incident at the Hospital

A recent incident highlights the ongoing conflict. My grandfather has been ill for a while, and his health has been steadily declining. The whole family has been worried and supportive, with relatives from all over coming to visit when they heard he was hospitalized. But my sister-in-law was more concerned with asking my grandmother about the family’s inheritance.

My grandmother didn’t reveal any details, only assuring that when the time was right, the assets would be distributed fairly among all of the children. But my sister-in-law didn’t trust her words. She kept pressuring her husband about whether my grandparents had given anything to their sons, which made everyone uncomfortable.

Tension and Confrontation

Last week, when my grandfather’s condition worsened, the family rushed him to the hospital. Since then, he has been receiving treatment. On the day in question, my sister-in-law was supposed to watch over him during the morning shift, while my mother was scheduled for the afternoon.

My grandfather was in a room on the third floor, and as I was in the parking lot, I suddenly heard a loud crash. Everyone around me was startled, and I rushed upstairs to find that my sister-in-law had thrown the lunch box my mother had brought. The food was scattered everywhere.

When I arrived, I saw my sister-in-law yelling at my mother. Despite the attempts of others to intervene, she harshly criticized my mother for being “useless at almost 50.”

Accusations and Disrespect

The scene was so loud that the doctors had to ask the family to leave the room. Later, when I spoke with my mother at home, I found out the details. My sister-in-law had opened my grandfather’s lunch box, and when she saw eggs placed on top of cooked vegetables, she criticized my mother for cooking “sloppily.” She accused my mother of not peeling the eggs before placing them with the food, and then went on to absurdly claim that this was a sign that my mother “wanted my grandfather to die early” in order to inherit his wealth.

I was furious after hearing this. If I had been in the room, I would not have stood by and let my sister-in-law speak so thoughtlessly. She’s not a child anymore—she’s an adult. To treat my mother with such cruelty while my grandfather is lying there in his hospital bed is beyond disrespectful.

My sister-in-law’s behavior shows just how toxic her personality is. Despite everything, I’m amazed my father ever fell in love with someone like her. Her actions have caused her to be alienated from everyone around her, and even her children feel embarrassed by her behavior. It’s clear that her bitterness is driving everyone away, and I can’t understand how she continues to get away with it.