Chapter 3

I was so angry I could laugh.

"Oh? Are you saying you are filial? Did I lie?"

"Since the day you got married, how much money have your father and I spent on you? We gave you our life savings, and you’re still not satisfied!"

"Now you want to suck us dry! How have you ever shown us respect?"

"You sent ten thousand dollars to your mother-in-law, but what did you give me? You just want me to be your servant! Did a dog eat your conscience?"

My son choked up. "But..."

"But what? You just want free labor, don't you?"

Since I had exposed him, James softened his tone.

"Mom, can you stop watching those toxic videos on TikTok? I'm your son. If you don't help me, who else are you going to help?"

"Do you have any idea how much pressure young people are under these days?"

"No matter how much pressure you have, it’s nothing compared to the hardships we faced. I am at an age where I deserve to enjoy my life. I am not coming."

With that, I hung up the phone. James immediately sent me a text message:

"Fine, Mom. Don't regret this. When you get old and can't move, don't expect me to take care of you!"

I wasn't even invalid yet, and they were already treating me like this. The moment things didn't go their way, they threatened me. Who knew if I could even rely on them when I actually became old!

Memories of my past life flashed before my eyes like a movie. The thought of how I had died made my blood boil.

Now, no matter what he said, I would never help him again.

After hanging up, Arthur and I went back to our peaceful life. But a few days later, my younger son, Kevin, called.

"Mom, Chloe fell and broke her arm. She's in the hospital. I sent Leo to Mrs. Davis's house, but I'm completely overwhelmed. Can you please come and help me for a couple of days?"

Hearing that my daughter-in-law was hurt, my instinct was to rush over. But the moment I got off the bus, I stopped.

I opened my phone and checked Mrs. Davis's Twitter.

Sure enough, she had just posted a photo of herself enjoying a walk at a beach park!

Kevin’s claim about sending the kid to her house was a complete lie!

I took Arthur to the hospital with me, but I asked him to wait in the lobby while I went up alone.

When I entered the room, I saw Chloe lying on the bed with a small bandage wrapped around her arm.

Seeing me, she quickly said, "Mom, thank you so much for coming!"

"I came to see how you were. How did you get so careless?" I asked, looking around. "Where is Kevin?"

Chloe sighed. "He has to work to pay for the baby formula. I couldn't let him take time off. I’ve been here alone all day."

"Where is your mother? Why is she not here?"

Seeing that I had arrived with bags, Chloe assumed I was there to move in and take care of her. She immediately started giving orders.

"Mom, here are our apartment keys. Go buy some groceries. I want ribeye steak and lobster mac and cheese tonight."

"Also, Leo is at my mom's. Go pick him up, give him a bath, and make him some scrambled eggs."

"Oh, and on your way back, grab my Amazon packages from the locker. I need them urgently."

As soon as she finished speaking, I dialed Mrs. Davis's number on speakerphone. "Mrs. Davis, did you hear all that? Make sure you get on that right away!"

Chloe froze. "Mom, what are you doing?"

"I was talking to you! Why did you call my mother?"

I hung up the phone and raised an eyebrow. "I came here to visit a patient, not to be your maid."

Chloe’s voice pitched up, her face twisting in anger.

"What did you say?! What do you mean 'patient'? What's wrong with you?!"

I lowered my voice, acting weak. "Your father has cardiovascular issues, and I have high blood pressure. It's such a tragedy... our sons don't care about us, and our daughters-in-law..."

Hearing this, she looked extremely embarrassed.

Just then, a nurse walked in. "Patient in Bed 32, you're cleared for discharge."

Chloe gasped. "Discharge?"

"It’s just a minor scrape. Why are you occupying a bed we need for actual emergencies?" the nurse said bluntly.

I looked at Chloe, pretending to be shocked. "You faked it!"

"Chloe, you actually faked an injury to trick me into coming here so you could use me as your maid!"

"I cannot handle a daughter-in-law like you. Tell Kevin that from now on, he doesn't have a mother!"