The Daughter of Wealthy Parents
Many envied Claire. They said she was born with a silver spoon in her mouth. Her father was a major entrepreneur, and her mother was the daughter of affluent parents.
They lived in a suburban estate, but also owned a large, cozy apartment in the city. Claire was driven to school by a personal chauffeur. Of course, she attended a private school, but even by those standards, Claire’s family was extremely wealthy.
She was dressed in designer clothes and traveled for vacations at least three times a year. It seemed like a fairy tale life.
But for Claire, it was more of a nightmare. She would have gladly traded places with any child from a poor yet happy family.
Claire’s parents didn’t just dislike each other; they despised one another. However, they couldn’t separate because of their shared business interests.
Her father was openly unfaithful, and Claire had often seen his mistresses.
Her mother drank heavily. The only difference between her and typical alcoholics was that she consumed high-end spirits and paired it with seafood and exotic fruits. Otherwise, she was like any other drunk. She started her mornings with a glass of wine and by evening had consumed at least two bottles.
No one cared about Claire. Whenever she had questions or problems, her father simply gave her money, saying the usual phrase, “I don’t have time to listen.”
Her mother was almost always drunk, so Claire didn’t even want to approach her. She would either complain about her life or not make much sense.
After school, Claire would lock herself in her room and dream of the day she could escape this hell. Parties and outings with friends didn’t appeal much to her because she knew that if something happened to her, her family wouldn’t even miss her right away.
Naturally, Claire got into the best university in the city. When she told her father she wanted to live on her own, he didn’t object. He said he would send a realtor to find her an apartment.
Claire felt elated. Finally, she wouldn’t have to hear the constant fighting, see her drunk mother, or listen to her father call his mistresses. But things weren’t that simple.
Before purchasing her an apartment, her father called her for a talk.
“When you finish university, I’ll start training you in the family business. You’ll manage it with me.”
Claire had no intention of continuing her father’s and grandfather’s business. She told her father so. The business, which forced her parents to stay together and suffer, disgusted her. Claire had suffered alongside them her entire childhood.
She wanted to work in tourism, to open her own travel agency and create unique travel itineraries. Thankfully, they traveled a lot, and at least during those times, Claire could focus on something else. Even on vacations, her parents constantly argued, and her mother drank heavily. Once, her father even housed his mistress in the next room at a hotel they stayed at, and Claire saw him sneaking out when her mother was unconscious.
And yet, those trips breathed a little life into Claire. She went on excursions, spent lots of time on the beach, and avoided family dramas. As a child, her nanny, the one person who cared for her, accompanied them. Once older, Claire had to fend for herself.
Hence, her interest in tourism. The family business wasn’t her passion. To her, it was the source of all her misery.
Unexpectedly, her usually indifferent father issued an ultimatum: If she wanted his financial support, she had to follow his commands.
The same had happened to her mother when she accepted her grandfather’s terms. Her mother loved the luxurious life and was willing to live with a man she neither loved nor was loved by, as long as the business prospered and the money kept flowing. Recently, her mother only needed money to buy expensive wine.
Claire didn’t want to repeat her mother’s fate. She understood that managing a business was not enough. Her father wouldn’t allow her to marry someone of her choosing, nor let her pursue a career she loved. Soon, she’d feel trapped in a gilded cage and start consuming wine for breakfast.
Claire firmly said she wouldn’t submit to her father. And he kept his promise: he cut her off financially. Her card was blocked, and he told her to leave their home since those who lived there had to obey him.
He thought he could influence her this way. But seeing her mother, Claire promised herself she’d never live like that.
Collecting her things, she left with nowhere to go. Luckily, she had some cash saved for pocket expenses, which now had to cover her survival.
Claire realized her father wouldn’t pay for her education. She rented a room (her money would last a couple of months) and got a job as a waitress. For Claire, who had never washed a dish in her life, it was challenging. But she focused on her goal and persevered.
At times, she wanted to give up, go to her father, and agree to everything, just to get a good night’s sleep and a decent meal. But then she’d remember her mother, grit her teeth, and continue working.
She worked nights and studied during the day. Somehow, she scraped enough money together for the next semester and rent, knowing she’d have to endure this for years.
But luck was on her side. The manager of the restaurant where she worked noticed her. Claire stood out among the often crude and somewhat dim-witted waitstaff.
Soon, she was promoted to a managerial position. Claire had an articulate manner, with good posture and a pleasant appearance. She fit the role perfectly.
Claire earned a bit more and, six months later, met a regular patron at the restaurant.
They started a romance. Claire never revealed who she truly was. She mentioned not getting along with her parents, that her mother drank, and her father wasn’t reliable. She didn’t mention their immense wealth, knowing it wouldn’t end well.
Soon, Claire moved in with this man. James had his own apartment, eliminating Claire’s need to rent. She changed her phone number so her parents couldn’t find her.
Claire managed to graduate university, then worked in a travel agency. And after their wedding, she opened her own agency just like she dreamed. But most importantly, she was proud to have succeeded without her parents’ money, and she married for love, even if James wasn’t a millionaire.
They had a daughter, Emily, and Claire showered her with the love she had wished her parents had shown her.
Emily was already four years old. One day, the family was at home, and the intercom rang.
“I’ll get it,” said James.
He returned looking slightly flustered.
“Claire, it’s your father.”
Claire’s heart sank. She went to the entryway and saw her dad.
He was older. Wrinkles framed his eyes and forehead, but he was still her father, stern-faced as ever without a hint of a smile.
“Hello, Claire.”
“Hi,” she replied, her nerves betraying her.
“How have you been?”
“As you can see,” Claire gestured around their modest entryway, “I’m doing great.”
“We didn’t part on the best terms last time. I hoped you’d reconsider.”
“You mean you hoped I’d fail,” she replied bitterly.
“Perhaps. But you’re stronger than your mother.”
“How is she?” Claire asked, realizing she knew nothing about her family.
“The same. Maybe worse. Anyway, I want to reconnect. I found out I have a granddaughter. I can offer her a lot, like a spot in a private nursery. And to you too… It’s not right to live in a place like this.”
Claire silently shook her head. He didn’t even want to meet; he just wanted to buy them off with money.
“No need for anything, Dad. We’re fine.”
“Don’t make me laugh,” he scoffed. “What kind of life is this?”
“The kind I never had. A happy one. Where everyone in the family loves each other, where there’s no infidelity, and problems are solved together instead of with money. But you wouldn’t understand.”
“Maybe,” he admitted. “Alright, if you ever need anything, just call.”
Claire nodded, closing the door after her father. Unexpectedly, she found herself crying. Her parents didn’t even miss her; her father just wanted control back, likely hoping to mold his granddaughter into what his daughter wouldn’t be. But Claire wouldn’t allow it.
“Everything okay?” James asked, finding his wife in tears.
“Yes, everything’s great,” she smiled and hugged him tightly. “I’m so grateful for you both.”
And truly, everything was good. Despite what others might say, happiness isn’t in wealth. Claire knew she’d never trade this life for anything.
