Chapter 2

Willa immediately showed her disapproval. "Janice, you really need to listen to Connor. Sean's future is what matters most! He's so smart. He can't afford to fall behind. Right, Sean?"

As Sean looked at Willa, he pouted and whined, "Ms. Larsen, it hurts…"

"It's okay. I'm here," Willa soothed him gently while holding his hand.

Then, she took the chance to say, "Sean, you're about to start elementary school. Your dad wants to buy you a house near the best school. Doesn't that make you happy?"

Even though he was hurting, Sean nodded at the mention of "best school".

He then glanced at me and said in a resentful tone, "Mom, Dad and Ms. Larsen only want what's best for me. Why won't you agree? Jackson's mom sold their car just so he could go to a good school! You only care about money. You don't care about me at all!"

My heart sank to the very bottom.

This was the son I raised for six years.

How could he spit out such cutting words at the mother who stayed by his bedside while he was sick?

Connor looked at me as if to say, "See? Even Sean knows what matters more."

Willa lightly patted Sean's hand. When her eyes flicked to me, there was a flash of satisfaction and mockery.

The three of them were in perfect sync, making me the stingy villain standing in the way of Sean's future.

The room fell silent for a few seconds.

Then, I let out a chuckle. "You're right."

Connor and Willa froze for a second before looking at me.

I unclenched the bedsheet and continued calmly, "Sean's future matters most."

Connor's eyes lit up at once. "Honey, is that a yes?"

"Yeah." I nodded and even gave a small smile. "I'll go to the bank tomorrow and transfer the money. Honey, you handle the house. Pick the best one."

"That's more like it!" Connor beamed.

Willa broke into a radiant smile too. "Janice, I'm so glad you've come to your senses! Sean is so lucky to have such loving parents!"

Sean snorted and turned away, showing his grudging approval.

As I watched their triumphant faces, the final spark of warmth within me was extinguished entirely.

Since the three of them loved to act and thought I was dumb enough to be fooled, I'd just let them act all they wanted.

…

From that day on, I became the most "accommodating" person in this family.

The three-million-dollar relocation money was transferred to Connor's chosen account the next day.

It was a new joint account, supposedly for family investments, but he was the only one who held the password.

He wasted no time. Within a week, he secured a rare listing near Ellwyn Elementary. It was a single-level luxury apartment of about 2,000 square feet, priced at 8,000 dollars per square foot.

"Honey, this place has a great layout and excellent floor. The developer is holding back a few units for insiders. They're giving a discount for full payment! We can't miss this!"

Connor waved the floor plan around excitedly. "But the total is 16 million dollars. Our three million only covers the down payment. Do you think you could use your company as collateral for a mortgage? Or maybe liquidate some of your investments and stocks?"

How ambitious.

Not only did he drain Mom's relocation money, but he was trying to squeeze every last bit out of me.

I frowned. "Getting a mortgage through the company is tough right now, and my investments aren't mature yet. How about we get a smaller place first?"

"A smaller one won't do," Connor snapped. "If we're buying, we buy the best! That's what Sean deserves. Janice, stop hesitating! Taking risks for Sean is nothing!"