Chapter 2

"Are you insane?"

"What kind of garbage did you just say to my future mother-in-law? Lily is crying her eyes out again! Are you happy now?"

Ethan’s voice screamed through the speaker. The young nurse who was helping me with my discharge papers couldn't help but look up at me.

I gave her an apologetic smile, walked over to a quiet corner of the hallway, and put the phone to my ear.

"Ethan, do you even remember you have a mother? Do you have any idea that because of your petty five-hundred-dollar ride fee, I almost died?"

Silence stretched over the line for a few seconds.

"What is that supposed to mean?" Ethan scoffed.

"Let me tell you something. Even if you're my mother, you don't get to dictate who I marry. Now, hurry up and transfer the wedding fund to my card. Don't keep Lily waiting."

I let out a cold laugh. "You truly are an ungrateful parasite. I’ve been hospitalized for two months, and you haven't visited once. Yet, you have the audacity to demand money? Not a chance!"

Without waiting for his response, I hung up.

I walked back to the front desk, and the nurse handed me the final paperwork.

As she passed the documents, she whispered, "Ma'am... your son really didn't come even once in these two months, did he?"

My hands paused. Looking at the pity and indignation in her eyes, I gave her a gentle smile.

"Sweetheart, thank you for your concern. But I don't have a son."

A look of surprise flashed across her face, followed by instant understanding.

I wasn't just talking. I truly wanted to sever ties.

I really did not want this son anymore.

Leaving the hospital, I didn't go back to my house. Instead, I drove straight to the most luxurious retirement community in the city.

"We offer different tiers of packages, ma'am," the receptionist explained warmly.

"The budget tier is $1,500 a month, premium is $3,000, and our All-Inclusive VIP package is $30,000 a year. What is your budget?"

Looking at the beautiful, resort-like pictures in the brochure, I took off my reading glasses and rubbed my temples.

"All these numbers are giving me a headache. Just give me your absolute best package. I'll take the VIP annual plan."

The receptionist stared at me, surprised.

"Ma'am, are you sure?"

I couldn't blame her. To support Ethan, I had never spent a single extra penny on myself. The clothes I was wearing were five-year-old rags with visible patches.

"I'm not joking, dear. I can pay right now."

When $30,000 was swiped from my account, I didn't feel an ounce of pain. Instead, an indescribable sense of relief washed over me, as if a massive boulder had been lifted off my chest.

In the past, I had constantly stressed over my bank balance. Even with Robert's $100,000 insurance payout, I always felt it wasn't enough. I had pushed myself every single day to save more for Ethan.

But human greed is a bottomless pit. The more desperately I saved for him, the more aggressively he tried to drain me.

Lying on the plush, king-sized bed in my new suite, my phone suddenly buzzed with notifications.

"You actually dared to hang up on me? You think you're tough now?"

"Apologize to Lily and her mother right now, and maybe I'll forgive your little tantrum."

"Also, Lily is demanding the down payment. Transfer it immediately."

Reading Ethan's SnapChat messages, I felt so disgusted that I literally spat at the screen.

Even at this point, he still expected me to blindly sacrifice myself for him. What a joke!

I had wanted to leave him with a tiny shred of motherly dignity, but now I saw there was absolutely no point.

I didn't reply to Ethan. Instead, I opened Instagram.

I posted nine beautiful photos of my new luxury suite and the stunning gardens of the retirement community, along with a caption:

"This premium retirement community is amazing. $30,000 a year, and it's worth every single penny!"

After posting it, I silenced my phone, threw it onto the nightstand, and closed my eyes for a peaceful sleep.

When I woke up the next morning, my screen showed one hundred and twenty missed calls.