Chapter 4

Melinda's eyes lit up the moment she saw the two folders, and she couldn't hide her excitement.

Nora and I exchanged a glance, and in each other's eyes we both saw the same speechless contempt.

While Jason brewed the tea, Melinda didn't stay idle either. She dug through the cupboards, washed a big platter of fruit and snacks, and set it in front of us with a fawning smile.

I looked at the steaming cup of tea, and something complicated turned over in my chest.

I'd supported the two of them all these years and never once been handed a cup of tea by their own hands.

Now that I'd decided to stop, suddenly the tea appeared. Life really was unpredictable.

This premium tea was a gift my son's father-in-law had brought, meant as a first-meeting present for me, and Melinda had simply kept it for herself.

"Mom's seen every fine thing there is. She probably wouldn't even think much of tea like this. Better to keep it at home, so we've got something to offer when guests come."

So now, did this count as giving it back to its rightful owner?

"All right, you two don't need to fuss. Take a look at these two folders first."

I wasn't willing to waste any more time. I'd watched their little performance long enough, and it was time to put the real business on the table.

"Oh! Mom, we'll look right now."

Melinda answered fast and cheerful. She picked up the folder of bills, all sweetness and delight, and the second she slid the documents out, the smile froze on her face.

"Babe, what did Mom give us? Is she really leaving us some inheritance? Could it be, could it be shares?"

Jason had been so worked up by his wife's fuss that his head was already in the clouds. When he saw her sitting there frozen, he couldn't wait and snatched the folder from her.

"Mom… this… what does this mean?"

Once they saw the words on the pages, the two of them were stunned.

I took an unhurried sip of tea.

"Can't you read? These are all the mortgage and car payments I've made for you over the years, plus the utility bills I've paid, and behind those, the hundred thousand dollars I've handed over every single month without fail."

"Mom… aren't we one family? Drawing up a bill like this, it feels so cold. How good you've been to me and Jason, we keep it in our hearts."

Melinda was getting flustered. She nudged the fruit platter toward me.

"In your hearts? Hmph, forget that. Put it on the books, where it's nice and clear."

I set my cup down hard, and it hit the table with a clatter, tea splashing out.

"I came today to tell you this. All these years, I'm the one who's paid your car loan and mortgage, and I won't be paying them anymore. If you want to keep the car and the house, first pay me back everything I've covered all these years. The utility bills from before, I won't hold against you. Consider those a gift. As for the allowance, you're both grown adults. I've supported you for nothing all this time, and that's more than fair."

Melinda wasn't having it. She shot to her feet and glared at me.

"What's that supposed to mean? Old woman, is this because of yesterday, because I had your daughter wash my feet? You're getting back at us on purpose, aren't you? Fine, let me tell you, there's no way you're getting a cent out of us. And if you don't give us another dime from now on, I'll divorce your son!"

Hearing Melinda say that, Jason panicked too, and the look he gave me was full of resentment and complaint.

"Mom, everything was fine. What are you even doing this for? Little sis did it because she was willing to. Did you really have to blow this up so big? Now look, Melinda's talking about divorcing me. Are you satisfied?"

I gave a cold laugh.

"Satisfied? Of course I'm satisfied. Perfect timing, since you brought it up yourself. Melinda, I've been your mother-in-law all these years, and I've always been so thoughtful. I've already got the divorce agreement ready for you."

I tossed the second folder down in front of Melinda, and now it was her turn to freeze.

She stared at me in disbelief, as if she hadn't quite understood what I'd said.

Neither of them made a move to touch the second folder. That was fine.

Nora stepped forward and opened it in front of them both.

"Ms. Johnson says that if the two of you agree to divorce, the current marital assets will be split evenly, and she'll pay Jason a thousand dollars a month in support. If you don't agree, Ms. Johnson won't give either of you a single cent from now on."

I looked at my son and daughter-in-law with a smile.

"Talk it over between yourselves and pick one."