Grass to Grace: Second Chance Wealth

“Another wasted attempt,” Alex muttered under his breath, loosening his tie as he trudged toward his in-laws’ house. Dressed in a white shirt and black trousers, he felt the weight of disappointment heavy on his shoulders. After waiting for hours, the job interview had gone poorly. Despite holding a master’s degree, he had faced yet another rejection, largely due to his lack of a wealthy background.

As he approached the door, he hesitated, contemplating whether to enter. He knew that stepping inside would only invite a barrage of insults about his incompetence and mocking glances. With a heavy sigh, he pushed the door open.

Inside, he found his wife, Rachel, lounging on the couch, absorbed in her phone. She didn’t notice him until the door slammed shut behind him. When she finally glanced up, the warmth in her eyes turned cold and indifferent. A wave of sadness washed over him.

“Well, did you get the job?” she asked, her tone dripping with disdain.

Alex shook his head, unable to meet her gaze. “No, not this time,” he whispered, his voice barely audible.

Rachel sighed impatiently, rolling her eyes. “Of course not,” she muttered under her breath. “You’re useless, Alex. Just like always.”

Her harsh words stung, but Alex had grown accustomed to her criticisms. Since their marriage, he had been nothing but a disappointment to her and her family. As the son-in-law of a middle-class family, he was constantly reminded of his inferior status. Dependent on Rachel's family for everything—financial support, a place to live, food, and clothing—he endured their ridicule and scorn in return.

It was a humiliating existence, one that left him feeling powerless and worthless. To make matters worse, Rachel's family never let him forget his shortcomings, mocking him at every opportunity and belittling him in front of others. Yet, Alex tried to remain positive, believing that his fate would eventually turn around. He did his best to satisfy Amelia, but it always seemed insufficient.

His inability to contribute financially had turned him into a house servant. He washed dishes, ran errands, and even went to the market, all in an effort to make up for his perceived incompetence. But no matter how hard he tried, it was never enough. In their eyes, he would always be the worthless son-in-law, a burden to the family.

Standing in the doorway, facing Rachel's indifferent stare, Alex couldn’t help but wonder if he would ever escape the suffocating grip of his in-laws’ contempt. Fortunately, they were not home, and he had kept the job interview a secret, sharing the news only with Rachel. He had hoped to surprise them with good news, but at least he was spared from shame and another lecture.

As he recalled his expression, Rachel had looked at him with disgust. She hissed and headed upstairs. “What a disgrace,” she said in an annoyed tone, one that Alex could hear clearly.

Once she left, he sank into the worn-out armchair, unable to shake the emptiness that settled over him. Their marriage was never a happy one; it was filled with resentment and indifference. “Am I even worthy of being called a man?” he asked himself, taking a deep breath.

“I better get cooking before they come,” he thought, dragging his tired body to the kitchen. After countless hours of practice, he had become more skilled at cooking. He quickly washed the ingredients he took from the refrigerator and got to work.

Within an hour, dinner was ready. He glanced out the glass window; the sky had darkened. Sweat dripped from his brow as he exited the kitchen, only to encounter his mother-in-law, Danielle.

“Are you done making dinner?” she asked, her tone icy.

“Yes, mother,” Alex replied politely, avoiding her piercing gaze.

“Don’t call me mother! I can’t give birth to trash like you,” Danielle shot back as she turned and headed to her room. She had just returned from a friend’s birthday party, one that had been funded by her son-in-law. The event had been uncomfortable for her, filled with her friends flaunting their wealth while she sat there, gritting her teeth.

Alex made his way upstairs to the room he shared with Amelia. “Rachel, dinner is ready,” he called out as he entered. She wasn’t there; the sound of running water indicated she was in the bathroom.

“I’ll go set the table then,” he thought, but a notification on Rachel’s phone caught his attention. He glanced at the bathroom door and then back at the phone, contemplating whether to take a peek.

Curiosity got the better of him. He picked up the phone and read the message: “I can’t wait to meet you at the office again for some fun.” His heart sank. “Is Rachel cheating on me?” he thought, panic rising in his chest.

He tried to unlock the phone but couldn’t guess the password. “I’ll find out tomorrow,” he resolved as he walked out of the room, feeling betrayed. They were married; they should support each other. But Rachel seemed focused solely on material things, blinded by her greed.

After arranging the dishes, Alex sat silently in the chair, the message still weighing heavily on his mind. His mood had soured, and he lost his appetite. Soon, everyone gathered—Danielle, Robin (her father), Olivia (her sister), and Rachel herself. They all sat down and began eating.

Alex was so lost in thought that he didn’t notice their presence until Robin cleared his throat. Startled, he spilled his food.

“What a waste,” Danielle hissed.

“I’m sorry,” Alex said, quickly standing to clean up the mess.

“Don’t even think about getting another round of food. You wasted yours. Either eat it or go to bed hungry,” Danielle snapped, pouring her frustration onto him.

“I don’t know what’s so special about him. What was Robin thinking when he handed our daughter to him?” Danielle thought, casting a glance at her husband, who remained calm. She chewed her food more aggressively.

“It’s okay; everyone makes mistakes. You can take another portion,” Robin said with a smile.

“Never mind, Father. I wasn’t feeling that hungry before. I’ll excuse you guys,” Alex said, leaving the dining table.

In this house, the only person who treated him like a human was Robin. While others scorned him, Robin had always been gentle.

As Alex entered the room he shared with Rachel, he noticed she had taken her phone. He arranged a small mattress on the floor for himself. Thoughts of Rachel’s possible infidelity plagued him. He quickly showered to wash off the sweat and change his clothes.

Soon, Rachel entered and made her way to the bed. Alex pretended to be asleep but quietly watched her. She smiled as she texted, and he couldn’t shake the feeling that she was chatting with someone. Could be a man.

“Since he said office, he must be a work colleague. I’ll catch them red-handed tomorrow,” Alex thought as he forced himself to sleep.

Rachel kept glancing to see if he was really asleep. “I’ll meet you at work tomorrow, so let me sleep now,” she said over the phone.

“Okay, goodnight kiss,” Rachel replied, blowing a kiss into the phone.

“I want to sleep now,” she said as she hung up.

Alex felt his heart twist in anger as he struggled to keep calm.