After the sudden loss of her husband Peter, Kate was drowning in grief, barely able to get out of bed. When her sister-in-law Miranda invited her over for tea, she hoped for comfort and understanding. Instead, Miranda shocked her by asking for the money from Kate and Peter’s baby fund, insisting it should go to her own daughters’ college savings. She even handed Kate a list of childcare tasks, claiming it would help her “move forward.”

Kate, stunned and heartbroken, struggled to respond as Miranda pushed harder. Just then, her mother-in-law Susan arrived unexpectedly and overheard everything through the open window. Furious, Susan confronted Miranda, accusing her of being selfish and cruel. She firmly told her daughter to stop exploiting Kate and vowed not to allow her to take advantage of her grieving sister-in-law.

Kate left Miranda’s house shaken but relieved to finally have someone stand up for her. Later that evening, Miranda sent a bitter text, blaming Kate for turning Susan against her. Kate ignored the message, realizing she no longer had to explain herself to someone who only cared when she was useful.

Though still grieving, Kate found a glimmer of strength in Susan’s support. For the first time since Peter’s death, she felt a reminder of his words: “Some people love you only when you’re useful. The rest love you because you’re you.” And in that moment, she finally knew which kind of love she deserved.