Chapter 2

On the third day of my trip, whether it was from the sketchy food or the constant stress, I came down with severe food poisoning.

Trembling, I dialed her number. It rang for a long time before she picked up, her voice dripping with impatience.

"Mom, what is it now? You're calling in the middle of the night! I'm at a spa with Eleanor! She twisted her ankle, and I have to take care of her. I don’t have time to chat."

"Chloe," my voice was so weak it barely carried. "I have a high fever. I've been throwing up and I can't stop..."

The other end went silent for two seconds before her careless, annoyed voice returned.

"Oh, just drink some warm water. Don’t make a mountain out of a molehill. Eleanor is waiting for me to wash her back. If you’re sick, just go to the hospital. Stop being so dramatic."

"Dramatic?" I froze, tears instantly spilling over.

"I have a 102-degree fever and I can barely stand. You think that's dramatic? Eleanor twisted her ankle, and you're running around serving her at a spa. I’m in the hospital on an IV, and you don’t even have a single word of genuine concern? Is this how you care about me?"

"What is that supposed to mean?" Her voice instantly escalated.

"Eleanor treats me well, so of course I should take care of her! She gives me money and buys me food. What about you? Aside from giving me a little allowance, what do you actually do? Your cooking is greasy, your cleaning is messy, and now you can't even take care of yourself! How dare you blame me?"

Her words were like poisoned arrows, piercing my chest so hard I couldn’t breathe.

The girl in the bed next to me had her daughter fly in overnight to take care of her. That warm scene only made my situation look more pitiful.

Chloe was still complaining.

"You always cause trouble when I'm busy. Can you let me have some peace for once? Eleanor always looks out for me, unlike you, who only adds to my stress!"

She hung up, and the dial tone pounded against my heart like a gavel.

By the time I finished my IV drip, it was noon the next day. I dragged my weak body back home.

The moment I pushed the door open, I was stunned by the mess in the living room.

My closet doors were wide open, clothes were scattered all over the floor, and my savings passbook was sitting right in the middle of the coffee table, glaringly obvious.

Chloe walked out of the bedroom, looking completely entitled.

"Mom, you're back already? I was looking through your things and saw you still have quite a bit of money in your savings. You can't spend it all anyway, so let me use some. It’s Eleanor’s birthday next month, and I want to buy her a designer gold bracelet to show my appreciation."

I shook with rage, but I didn't even have the energy to scream.

"Chloe, I was in the hospital yesterday with a 102-degree fever. Did you ask about me once? This is my retirement money, not your fund to kiss up to your mother-in-law!"

"Well, aren't you fine now?" she dismissed me with a shrug.

"You make a big deal out of every little cold. Eleanor is the one who actually works hard, so of course I have to treat her. As my mother, can’t you be more generous? Besides, isn’t your money going to be mine eventually anyway? What’s wrong with letting me spend it now?"

"My money is for my retirement!" Tears streamed down my face.

"I worked hard my entire life and saved every penny. It's not for you to squander! You don't care about me at all, yet you want to use my money to please someone else. Do you have any conscience?"

"What is a conscience even worth?" She sneered.

"Eleanor treats me well, so I treat her well. You know exactly how you’ve treated me! What do you do besides hand over cash? Your food sucks, you’re bad at taking care of people, and now you’re even hoarding your money. How dare you call me heartless?"

She slammed the door and left. I collapsed onto the sofa, unable to stop my tears.

The sun was shining brightly outside, but I felt completely frozen.

Just as I was drowning in my grief, Chloe suddenly came back, holding a shopping bag.

"Mom, I brought you some fruit, and the gloves I mentioned last time. Don't be mad anymore. I know you love me. I was just angry earlier because you wouldn't give me the money."

She handed me the gloves, a flattering smile plastered on her face.

I took them, and the ice in my heart seemed to thaw just a little.

But the moment I put them on, I caught a faint scent of cheap perfume and noticed a tiny stain on the thumb.

Before I could even process this small gesture of "warmth," Chloe spoke again.

"Mom, since you're not mad anymore, can you hand over the savings passbook? Eleanor’s birthday is coming up, and I need to order the bracelet soon."

Her eyes were filled with greed. There wasn't a shred of sincerity in them.

Looking at her, my disappointment piled up until it felt heavy enough to suffocate me.

So, her apology and her gift were nothing but tools to extract more money from me.

I pulled the gloves off, tossed them aside, and clutched my savings passbook tightly.

"I am not giving you this money."

Chloe’s face instantly darkened, and she pointed a finger at me, screaming,

"You are so cold-hearted! You don't deserve to be a mother! I see right through you now. You don't care about me at all!"

She slammed the door again, leaving me alone in the empty house, my heart completely dead.