During an unexpected visit to the wealthy mother-in-law, the father burst into tears and pulled his son back that night when he witnessed this scene.

In a small town in Batangas, there was a man named Mang Ernesto Dela Cruz, who was over sixty years old.
All his life he had known only farming, his hands were limus from plowing and plowing.

His wife – Which Teresa – was a gentle woman who worked hard to raise three children to become educated people.

Her youngest daughter, Luz, was her greatest proud.
He was gentle, hard-working, and had a gentle smile.

After graduating from an accounting university in Manila, Luz was accepted to work for a large company. There, she met and fell in love with Daniel Morales – the son of a wealthy merchant family in the city.

When Luz said that Daniel wanted to marry her, Mang Ernesto couldn’t hide his concern.

“Son, they’re rich, do they really love you?” – he said to his wife many times.

But Luz just grabbed her father’s hand, smiling gently:

“Dad, mayaman si Daniel, but he is very humble and loves me sincerely. Don’t worry. I will live happily.”

Loving his son, Mang Ernesto sold part of his farm and borrowed more money to arrange a good marriage.
The groom’s family held a lavish wedding ceremony in a 5-star hotel, inviting hundreds of distinguished guests, complete with ornate lights and flowers.
On the day she sent her daughter to the wedding car, she couldn’t hold back her tears, but still said to her daughter:

“Even though it’s hard, you have to be strong. You just love each other, that’s all.”

After the wedding, Luz rarely returned to her hometown.
He always said:

“I’m super busy with work, Dad, and my wife’s family is busy too, so I can’t go back.”

At the end of the interview, Ernesto asked:

“Are you okay? Are you happy?”
Luz always replied:
“I’m fine, don’t worry.”

But deep down, he still couldn’t believe it…
One day, Ernesto said to his wife:

“Let’s go to Manila to visit our child. Matagal na rin nung huli tayong nagkita.”

They didn’t tell her in advance, they only brought a few country chickens, some clean vegetables, and a few jars of bagoong (fish paste) made by Sister Teresa herself.

“So he doesn’t miss home,” she smiled.

When the taxi stopped in front of the Morales’ mansion in Quezon City, the two were overwhelmed.

The mansion had three floors, an automatic iron gate, and a maid in uniform opened the door.

Erin nodded, smiling gently:

“My son must be very happy living in a luxurious place…”

But he didn’t know that in a few minutes that the pain would go away.

Luz came down the stairs, her face pale at the sight of her parents.

“Mom and Dad! Why did you come without informing me?”

“We’ve been waiting for you, we just want to see you,” Ernesto replied.

At that moment, a loud voice echoed from behind:

“Are you sure you want to visit the locals?”

A woman came out wearing an expensive silk dress and shiny gold jewelry.

That was Madam Liza Morales – Luz’s mother-in-law.

He looked at the old couple from head to toe, eyes filled with contempt.

“What do you bring chicken and vegetables for?” This house is not lacking.”

Luz turned pale and quickly pulled her mother-in-law’s hand:

“Mom, please don’t say that in front of my parents.”

But Mrs. Morales spoke louder:

“Do you think marrying my daughter is going to bring this whole bumpkin country home? “You have to know your place, Luz. Don’t embarrass my family!”

Ernest’s face flushed, his hands trembling.

Mrs. Teresa was stunned, tears streaming down her face.

Luz bowed her head, her hands gripping the hem of her dress, unable to speak.

Unable to stand it any longer, Ernesto was stunned:

“Since when my daughter had to live in such humiliating situation? She told me she was happy. Is this happiness?”

She stepped forward, grasping her son’s hand tightly, her voice filled with tears:

“Come back to me, Luke. I won’t let you suffer any more embarrassment.”

“But give…”

“I don’t have a villa, I don’t have any property, but at home, no one treats you like a servant. Hindi ko na kaya.”

The girl burst into tears and hugged her father.

Madam Morales tried to stop him, but Mr. Ernesto was determined:

“From now on, you will no longer be my son-in-law. He’s my son and I’m bringing him home.”

Luz had only a small bag and a simple dress.

On the way back to the car, the three of them were silent.

After a while, Mang Ernesto took his son’s hand and said softly:

“Don’t apologize, Lucy. I just want you to live as a person, not a display item.”

He rested his head on his shoulder and sobbed:

“Dad, I was wrong. I thought marrying a rich man would make me happy.”

“It’s okay, my daughter. The important thing is that you’re back.”

From that day on, Luz lived with her parents, helping her sell goods at the market and doing online accounting for her old company.
Life is simple, but full of love.

One afternoon, when the setting sun was covering the fields with gold, he said to his father:

“At the time, I thought I was living in a big house. But now I know that happiness is having a small home where I am respected and loved.”

Mang Ernesto smiled, his eyes red, his calf hand gently squeezed his son’s hand.

Luz’s story spread throughout the village, touching many people.

People say that Mang Ernesto is poor in money but rich in love.

For Luz, the young woman who once dreamed of a luxurious life, now just wants to keep a peaceful smile on her lips.

Every night, the three of them sat on the front porch, listening to the chirping of crickets, watching the moon rise.

Not luxurious, not noisy, but strangely warm.

And somewhere in the windy night of Batangas, the people heard Mr. Ernesto say softly:

“True love isn’t in material things, it’s in holding your head high and still feeling love.