Wealthy Family Tried to Ruin Their Son's Ex's Life, Not Knowing Karma Would Strike Hard – Story of the Day

After the divorce, Elsa’s ex-husband’s family tried to turn her life into a nightmare. Day by day, they created more and more problems for her, pushing her to the edge of losing both her mother and her son. But then, one day, everything changed completely—her life made a 180-degree turn!

“You’re not the right fit for us,” said the man, who looked to be in his fifties. He shifted uncomfortably in his chair, as if inventing the reason on the spot. “We need someone a little more… mature.”

It was the tenth rejection Elsa had received that week. She was a skilled, experienced cook—good enough that any restaurant would normally be glad to have her. But once again, the answer was no.

That time, she couldn’t hold back.

“Did someone pay you? Did they threaten you? What’s going on here? I’m better than half the chefs in this city—better than ninety percent of those who rejected me!”

The man frowned and raised his voice. “If you don’t calm down, I’ll call the police. You can’t behave like this.”

Realizing she had gone too far, Elsa quickly apologized and left the office. She walked to her car, her frustration boiling over, when she suddenly heard a familiar voice.

“Elsa!”

She turned. Running toward her was Cindy, an old friend and former coworker.

“I know what’s happening,” Cindy said, slightly out of breath. “You’re on a blacklist. All the local restaurants have your name on it. Your ex-husband’s family put it there. You need to leave this town. Yesterday I saw your former father-in-law in my boss’s office. He said your name, showed a photo, then handed over a thick envelope.”

Elsa froze. Finally, it made sense. She had been the head chef in her ex-husband John’s family restaurant until their divorce last month, caused by his repeated affairs. Since then, his family had made her life miserable. They had fired her, dragged her into court, and were now trying to take her son away by filing for custody.

The blacklist was their latest move. If she couldn’t get a job, they could argue she was unstable, jobless, and unable to provide for her son.

Cindy was right about one thing—leaving town might solve the problem. But Elsa couldn’t. She lived with her elderly mother, who was seriously ill and required constant care. Moving her would be dangerous, maybe impossible.

Elsa thanked Cindy for warning her, then got in the car. She drove straight to her son’s school, determined to pick him up and hold him close.

When Elsa arrived at the school, her heart sank. Parked near the entrance were two cars from social services. Standing beside them were her ex-husband, John, his parents, and two officials.

As soon as Elsa walked up, one of the officials spoke. “We’ve talked to Arnold’s teachers. They reported that he has been struggling in class. They say he often arrives late, looks poorly cared for, and has become more aggressive with other students.”

Elsa’s face burned. “That’s not true. None of it.” She looked at John and his parents, who stayed silent, almost smug.

The official continued, “We also need to ask you about your employment. Where are you currently working, and what savings do you have?”

Elsa swallowed hard. “I’m not employed right now. I’ve been applying everywhere, but… no one is hiring me. And I don’t have savings—most of my money goes to my mother’s treatment.”

They nodded, jotting down notes. “In one week, we’ll make a final decision about custody. Until then, Arnold will remain with you, but the situation is concerning.”

Elsa gripped her son’s hand tightly, fighting the panic rising in her chest. She wanted to scream at John, at his parents, but the words stuck in her throat.

Just then, her phone rang. It was the hospital. A doctor’s voice on the line told her that her mother’s condition had suddenly worsened.

Elsa turned to Arnold. “We have to go now.” She pulled him close, and together they rushed toward the car, leaving the officials and her ex-husband’s family standing behind.

Elsa hurried into the hospital, clutching Arnold’s hand. A doctor she recognized stepped toward her, his expression grave.

“Your mother’s condition has worsened,” he said. “She needs to switch to a stronger medication. But it’s far more expensive than what she’s been taking.”

Elsa’s voice trembled. “I don’t have that kind of money.”

The doctor sighed and shook his head. “I’m sorry. Without the new treatment, she has less than a week.”

The words hit Elsa like a blow. “How much is it?” she asked.

He gave the figure. Elsa realized it was almost exactly the amount she had left in her bank account. Spending it would mean losing everything—no savings, no safety net, nothing left.

She closed her eyes for a moment, trying to breathe. Arnold squeezed her hand, sensing her fear.

“I understand,” Elsa whispered. “Thank you, doctor.”

That evening, Elsa tried to keep things normal. She cooked a simple dinner, set the table, and sat across from Arnold. The boy ate slowly, watching her with worried eyes.

Finally, he put down his fork. “Mom… I don’t want to live with Grandma and Dad,” he said quietly. “But you have to save Grandma.”

Elsa froze. “Arnold—”

He leaned forward, his face serious beyond his years. “I read that when I turn thirteen, I can choose who I live with. That’s only in two years. We just need to hold on until then. But right now, we have to make sure Grandma gets better.”

Tears filled Elsa’s eyes. She tried to speak, but instead covered her mouth with her hand. Arnold stood, walked around the table, and wrapped his arms around her. “It’s okay, Mom. We’ll get through this together.”

She clung to him, her heart breaking at the thought of him carrying such heavy worries at his age.

Her phone buzzed on the counter. She wiped her eyes and answered. John’s voice came through, calm and almost polite. “I’m sorry to hear your mother’s gotten worse. We’re willing to help pay for her treatment.”

Elsa’s breath caught. Relief washed over her. “Thank you, John. You don’t know what this means.”

But then his tone changed. “We’ll cover everything—if you give us Arnold.”

Elsa’s blood ran cold. For a second she couldn’t speak. Then anger erupted. “I hate the day I ever tied my life to your family!” she shouted, slamming the phone down.

Arnold, still holding her, whispered, “We’ll find another way.”

Elsa hugged him tighter, knowing she had no choice but to fight.

Two days later, she sat at the kitchen table with her laptop open. The glow of the screen lit her tired face as she posted ad after ad on a local website. She listed everything she could bear to part with: the television, the floor lamp, even her favorite set of dishes. Every item carried a memory, but she had no choice.

Arnold sat quietly nearby, pretending to do homework but watching her with worried eyes. She forced a smile at him, though her heart was heavy.

Just as she finished another listing, her phone rang. She answered cautiously.

“Elsa?” a male voice asked. “This is Daniel, the family lawyer for your ex-husband. I think you should come to my office. It’s important.”

Elsa stiffened. “Why would I meet you?” she asked, suspicion thick in her voice.

“I can’t explain over the phone,” he replied. “But trust me, you’ll want to hear this. Please come today.”

Elsa hesitated, glancing at Arnold. Something in the lawyer’s tone felt different—urgent, but not hostile. She exhaled slowly.

“All right,” she said. “I’ll be there.”

She closed her laptop, kissed Arnold on the head, and prepared to face yet another unknown.

Elsa's palms were damp as she pushed open the heavy glass door to the law office. The air inside smelled faintly of coffee and old books. She clutched her worn handbag close to her side, every step echoing against the marble floor.

The receptionist gave her a quick nod. “They're expecting you. End of the hall, second door on the left.”

Elsa swallowed hard and followed the directions. As soon as she stepped inside the office, the atmosphere hit her like a wall. Her ex-husband John, his mother Margaret, and his father Richard were already there. Their faces twisted into anger the second they saw her.

“You schemer!” Margaret shouted, pointing a trembling finger at her. “What have you done?”

“You tricked us somehow,” Richard added, his face red. “You’ve always been a manipulator!”

John slammed his fist on the desk. “How the hell did you manage this, Elsa? Tell me now!”

Elsa froze. “What are you talking about?” she asked, her voice shaky.

“Enough!” Daniel’s voice cut through the chaos. The lawyer stood behind his desk, raising both hands. “Everyone, calm down. Sit down.”

After a tense silence, Daniel turned to Elsa. His tone softened. “As you may know, the family restaurant business has always belonged to John’s grandfather, who lives in France. A few days ago, he made a surprising decision.”

Elsa’s brow furrowed. “What decision?”

Daniel looked directly at her. “He transferred ownership of his entire business to you.”

The room erupted again. Margaret gasped loudly. Richard muttered curses under his breath. John looked like he might leap across the desk.

“That’s impossible!” Margaret shrieked. “He would never—”

But Daniel interrupted, pulling out a folder. “It’s legal and final. Here are the documents. Elsa, I need your signature to acknowledge receipt.”

Elsa’s hands trembled as he slid the papers across the desk. She stared at them, barely able to comprehend. “Why… why would he do this?”

Daniel gave a small smile. “You wouldn’t believe me, but it was because of Kate.”

Elsa’s head snapped up. “Kate? John’s younger sister?”

“Yes,” Daniel said. “She called her grandfather. She told him everything—about the blacklist, the custody battle, the pressure you’ve faced. She exposed it all. And her grandfather was furious. He said your strength deserved recognition, not punishment.”

Elsa felt her throat tighten. She remembered all the times Kate had glared at her, the snide remarks, the open hostility. And now… this?

“I don’t understand,” Elsa whispered.

Daniel nodded toward the phone on his desk. “Call her. Ask her yourself.”

With shaky fingers, Elsa dialed Kate’s number. The girl’s voice came through, sharp but steady. “Hello?”

“It’s me,” Elsa said quietly. “Why did you do this? You’ve always hated me.”

There was a pause, then Kate sighed. “I do hate you. But I hate what my family has done even more. They’ve lied, cheated, and tried to destroy you. You don’t deserve that. You deserve a chance to be happy. And… I trust Grandpa. He listened to me.”

Tears welled in Elsa’s eyes. “Thank you,” she whispered.

“You don’t owe me thanks,” Kate replied. “Just… take care of Arnold. And maybe, someday, forgive me too.”

When the call ended, Elsa pressed the phone to her chest. Around her, John and his parents were still fuming, but their voices sounded far away. She finally signed the documents, her hand steady now.

For the first time in months, Elsa felt the weight lifting. She had her son, her mother, and now, against all odds, a future.

Life shifted almost overnight. Elsa no longer feared losing Arnold. Social services closed their case, and John’s family backed away, powerless. She paid for her mother’s treatment, finally giving the woman comfort and stability.

But Elsa didn’t forget Kate. She kept in touch, helping her with school and sending little gifts, knowing the girl had risked everything to tell the truth.

One evening, Elsa sat at the dinner table with her son. Arnold smiled, carefree again. For the first time in a long time, she felt peace—and a future worth holding onto.

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