Woman Applies Facial Lotion Gifted by Her Mother-in-law, Collapses After Viewing Her Reflection the Following Day

On her birthday, Pauline experienced a shocking surprise after using a facial lotion presented by her distant mother-in-law, Annalise. The unforeseen terror in the mirror the next morning left her aghast. What had Annalise orchestrated?

The scent of fresh cake filled the air in Pauline’s simply adorned living area, mingling with the joyous atmosphere of the party. Decorative ribbons dangled from the ceiling, casting colorful shadows on the walls. A modest collection of presents lay on the coffee table, each wrapped meticulously, hinting at the care and thought put into each choice.

Seated on the sofa in the center of the room, Pauline, a woman in her early thirties with gentle brown eyes and a cautious smile, was encircled by her close relatives. Laughter and light conversation flowed easily among them, creating a cocoon of familial warmth.

Her spouse, Carl, a man of considerable height with gentle features and a calm demeanor, approached with a particularly intriguing gift in his hands. “This one’s from Mom,” he remarked, a tone of astonishment coloring his voice. It was well known that the relationship between Pauline and her mother-in-law was frosty at best.

Pauline’s eyes widened slightly as she took the gift, her gaze shifting to Annalise, who was seated rigidly in a chair opposite. The elder woman’s expression remained impassive, yet her eyes revealed slight anxiety, a crack in her usual facade of detached cordiality.

“Thank you,” Pauline murmured, gingerly unwrapping the present. The wrapping paper gave way to reveal a luxurious skincare kit from a renowned label, known for its exquisite and effective products. Pauline’s astonishment was clear as she inspected the items. “Oh, my. I adore this label,” she declared, glancing at her mother-in-law. “Thanks, Annalise. This is really considerate.”

Annalise responded with a brief nod. “I heard that ladies appreciate these products nowadays. I bought it online,” she said, her voice holding a note of pride and perhaps a touch of hope. It seemed like a peace offering, an olive branch extended after years of tension.

Despite the polite and normal interaction, a palpable tension filled the room. Everyone seemed to hold their breath, waiting for a sign of whether this gift would mend fences or add another layer of ice to their chilly relationship.

For a long time, Pauline and Annalise had a strained relationship, to put it mildly. Their personalities clashed significantly, and Annalise often overstepped personal boundaries, giving unsolicited advice and making cutting remarks that left Pauline feeling undermined and resentful.

It was only after Carl threatened to sever ties that Annalise moderated her behavior and reduced conflicts with Pauline. Thus, this gesture, albeit minor, seemed like a cautious step toward mending their relationship.

As the celebration ended and guests departed, Pauline found herself in the bathroom, evaluating the skincare items. The creams were packaged elegantly, their containers sleek and inviting.

Carl joined her, embracing her waist. “I can’t believe your mother got me this,” Pauline expressed, opening one of the creams. The texture was creamy and rich, a testament to its high quality.

Carl smiled optimistically. “I’m just as surprised. But maybe this is a positive sign for us, right?” There was hope in his voice, a desire for normalcy in their family dynamics that had been absent for too long.

Pauline nodded, gently applying the cream to her face. “These products are costly. I’m eager to see the effect on my skin tomorrow.”

However, they could never have predicted what the next morning would bring.

Pauline woke to the gentle morning sunlight, but something felt amiss. Her face burned, and her eyelids were heavy and crusty. Slowly blinking, she tried to orient herself in the dim morning light.