Daughter of Wealthy Parents
Many envied Karen, claiming she was born with a silver spoon in her mouth. Her father was a successful businessman, and her mother came from a wealthy family.
They lived in a comfortable house in an upscale neighborhood and also had a luxurious apartment in the city. Karen was driven to school by her personal chauffeur and attended a private school, where even by those standards, her family’s wealth was remarkable.
Karen wore designer clothes and vacationed at least three times a year. To outsiders, her life seemed like a fairytale.
But for Karen, it was more like a horror story. She would have gladly traded places with any child from a loving, albeit poorer, family.
Karen’s parents didn’t just not love each other; they outright despised one another. Yet, they couldn’t separate due to their joint business interests.
Her father openly cheated on her mother, and Karen often saw his mistresses.
Her mother drank heavily, differentiating herself from regular alcoholics only by her choice of expensive wines and exotic snacks. But in her essence, she was no different from any other heavy drinker. She started her day with a glass of wine and had downed at least two bottles by evening.
No one really cared about Karen. If she had any questions or issues, her father would just hand her some money with his usual line, “I don’t have time to listen.”
Her mother was almost always drunk, making Karen reluctant to approach her because it would either lead to complaints about life or incoherent ramblings.
Returning from school, Karen would lock herself in her room, dreaming of escaping this nightmare one day. Parties and outings with friends held little appeal for her, as she knew that if anything happened to her, no one would notice right away.
Naturally, Karen got into the best university in the city. When she informed her father of her desire to live independently, he agreed and said he’d send an estate agent to find her an apartment.
Karen was elated. She wouldn’t have to hear the constant fights or witness her mother’s drunkenness and her father’s infidelities anymore. But soon she realized it wouldn’t be that straightforward.
Before buying her an apartment, her father called her over for a talk.
“When you finish university, I’ll start training you for the family business. You’ll be running it alongside me.”
Karen had no intention of taking over her father’s and grandfather’s business. She told him plainly that she was repulsed by the business that forced her parents to stay together and suffer. Her entire childhood was filled with shared suffering.
Instead, she wanted to pursue tourism, aiming to start her own travel agency and plan exciting itineraries. They traveled often, allowing her to momentarily escape her family issues, even though her parents kept arguing and her mother drank excessively during vacations. Once, her father even housed his mistress in the adjacent hotel room, and Karen saw him sneak away while her mother was passed out.
Yet, these trips breathed some life into her. She joined tours and spent lots of time at the beach, avoiding family dramas. In her younger years, Karen’s nanny, who seemed to be the only one caring for her, accompanied them. But as she grew up, she was left on her own.
Tourism appealed to her, and she had no desire to engage in the family business, which she felt had shattered her life.
Her father, who had never cared much for her, suddenly issued an ultimatum: if she wished for him to continue supporting her, she would have to follow his commands.
The same happened to her mother when she caved into her grandfather’s conditions, driven by her love for a lavish lifestyle and willing to stay with a man she didn’t love. As long as the business thrived and the money kept coming, it was worth it. Lately, though, her mother’s spending was mostly on expensive wine.
Karen didn’t want to repeat her mother’s mistakes. She understood that managing the business required sacrifices. Her father wouldn’t allow her to marry whom she loved or do what she desired. Soon, she’d feel trapped in a gilded cage, starting her day with wine too.
Karen flatly refused to comply with her father’s demands. He fulfilled his promise by cutting her off financially, blocking her access to money, and ordering her to leave the house, saying that those who lived there must obey him.
He tried to pressure her into compliance, but looking at her mother, Karen vowed never to become like her.
With her belongings packed, she left with nowhere to go. Fortunately, she had a small sum saved as pocket money, which now had to serve her survival.
Karen realized her father wouldn’t pay for her tuition any longer. She rented a room, her savings barely covering a few months, and found a job as a waitress. For someone who had never washed a dish, it was tough. But she knew her goal, so she persevered.
Karen felt tempted to give up, go back to her father, and agree to everything just to get some rest and decent meals. But then she’d remember her mother and grit her teeth to keep going.
She worked nights and studied during the day, barely scraping together enough to cover the next semester and rent, knowing this would likely continue for several years.
Luck was on her side when her workplace manager noticed her amidst the rough and often impolite waitstaff.
Later on, she was promoted to an administrator. Karen’s eloquence, poise, and figure suited the role perfectly.
Karen started earning a bit more, and six months later, she met a patron at the restaurant.
They began dating. Karen never revealed her true identity, explaining that she didn’t get along with her parents because her mother drank and her father wasn’t faithful. She kept their immense wealth a secret, knowing it wouldn’t lead to any good.
Eventually, Karen moved in with him. Victor owned his own apartment, saving her the expense of renting one. She changed her phone number so her parents couldn’t find her.
Karen managed to finish university, secured a job at a travel agency, and after marriage, she even started her own agency, just as she’d dreamed. But more than anything, she was proud to have succeeded without her parents’ money, marrying someone she loved even though he wasn’t wealthy.
They had a daughter, Lily, and Karen showered her with all the love she had wished to receive from her own parents.
Lily was now four years old. One day, while at home with her family, the intercom buzzed.
“I’ll get it,” her husband said.
He returned looking a bit puzzled.
“Karen, someone says it’s your father.”
She felt a wave of nervousness as she stepped into the hallway and saw him.
He looked older, lines etched around his eyes and forehead. Yet, he was still her father, stern with no hint of a smile.
“Hello, Karen.”
“Hi,” she replied, tense.
“How’s life?”
“As you can see,” she gestured around their modest hallway, “I’m doing great.”
“We didn’t have a pleasant conversation last time. I hoped you’d reconsider.”
“You mean you hoped I wouldn’t make it,” she replied with a bitter smile.
“Perhaps. But you’re stronger than your mother.”
“How is she?” Karen asked, realizing she knew nothing about her family.
“About the same. Maybe worse. Anyway, I’d like to reconnect. I found out I have a granddaughter. I can offer her much, even arrange for a private nursery. And for you… It’s no way to live in this kind of place.”
Karen shook her head in silence. He hadn’t even bothered visiting her all this time. As always, he thought money could fix everything.
“No need, Dad. We’re doing just fine.”
“Don’t kid yourself,” he scoffed. “What kind of life is this?”
“One that I never had. A happy one. Where everyone in the family loves one another, no cheating, and problems are solved, not patched over with money. But you wouldn’t understand.”
“Maybe not,” he replied. “Anyway, if you need anything, call me.”
Karen nodded and closed the door behind him. Unexpectedly, tears fell as she realized her parents never missed her. Her father just wanted back control, perhaps carve a legacy through his granddaughter. But she wouldn’t allow it.
“Everything alright?” Victor asked, finding his wife in tears.
“Yes, everything’s great,” she smiled, hugging him. “Everything’s really very good. I’m so grateful to have you both.”
Indeed, she had a good life. Whatever anyone said, money didn’t bring happiness. Karen knew that firsthand.
