Chapter 2

After a while, Audrey gave me a video call.

She was smiling as she bragged, “Happy New Year! It’s New Year’s Eve today. What good food are you having?

“Thank you for helping Lydia prepare so many gifts for us. We’re having such a great dinner over here!”

After she said that, she turned the camera around and pointed at the gifts that I had prepared.

I almost burst into tears. Before I could speak, I heard Charlie saying, “Mommy said that it’s a waste if we don’t use her money. After all, she’s staying alone in the countryside. She won’t be using that much money!”

I felt blood drain from my face.

I stared at my phone screen. “Charlie, can you say that again?”

Charlie was about to speak when Lydia covered his mouth with her hand. She grumbled, “Mom! He’s just talking nonsense! It’s the New Year’s! Why are you making everyone unhappy?”

She was blaming me for spoiling the mood.

I stared at her and said, “Why didn’t you think I’d be upset when you secretly switched all the papers in the box to your in-laws?”

A hint of guilt flashed across Lydia’s eyes.

“So what if I choose to spend time with my in-laws? Why are you making a big fuss over it? If you want, I can head home earlier this year.”

After she said that, she ended the call.

She did not even greet me with a “Happy New Year” throughout the entire call.

After the New Year’s break, they came back home.

I was trimming the cat’s nails on the couch. When Ben saw me, he snorted.

“You pretended to be so pissed over the call, but you’re still here waiting for us to return.”

Lydia tossed a plastic bag filled with items to me.

“Audrey is very kind to even prepare some gifts for you!”

I looked at the items on the floor. They were some leftovers of the gifts that I had bought for them.

There were a few boxes of milk, half a bag of nuts, and a half-eaten pack of snacks.

I was extremely angry. I remained quiet on the couch.

Lydia frowned unhappily.

“We purposely came back earlier to spend some time with you. What’s with the attitude?

“If you continue to sulk, we’ll just head back first. You can spend the rest of the time alone!”

I laughed in anger. I could not hold myself back from questioning her.

“Come back earlier? The New Year’s break is almost over!”

Lydia’s expression froze.

Upon seeing that, Ben immediately supported Lydia.

“If you hadn’t thrown a tantrum, we could have spent more time at my parents’ place!

“You just bought some gifts and spent some money. Are you that upset about it? Tell me how much these cost, and I’ll pay you back!”

I sneered when I looked at his confident expression.

“Do you truly intend to pay me back? Your mortgage, car loan, Charlie’s school fees, and household expenses all came from my retirement fund. Can you afford to pay me that?

“I gave my all to you, and what did I get in return? The fairness that you claimed was all fake!”

Lydia’s face was flushed in anger.

“You gave birth to me. Of course, you’re responsible for me! I’m your only child. Who are you going to give your money to, if not me?

“If you want to be so calculative, sure, be my guest!

“If you continue to act like this, don’t expect me to pay you a visit in the future, even if you’re paralyzed or dead!”

After she said that, she took Charlie back to his bedroom.

I stood in the dark living room.

I took my time hatching a plan in my mind.

I needed to get these leeches to pay for what they owed me!