Chapter 3

Victor had barely reached the door when it creaked open, and Leo walked in carrying a fruit basket.

Leo glanced at Victor's flushed face, then at me, and covered his mouth dramatically. "Oh? What happened? Victor, your face is flushed! Who pissed you off?"

Victor snapped, "None of your business!"

"You argued with Mom, didn't you?" Leo set the basket down and raised his voice. "Did you come asking Mom for money again? Honestly, Victor, that's too much. Mom just got hospitalized, and all you care about is sucking her dry. You're such an ungrateful son!"

"Drop the good-guy act!" Victor fumed. "What's wrong with me asking Mom for money for Molly's program fee? Spending on that makes more sense than blowing money on clothes and shoes like a bottomless pit!"

"So what if I like to look good? I spend my own money! At least I'm not scheming against Mom! The fund is for her retirement, not your daughter's piano program!" Leo shot back.

"You know nothing! That's an investment! Once Molly succeeds, she'll repay Mom!"

"You're the clueless one! What Mom needs now is peace, not your empty promises!"

They went back and forth, shouting over each other until the room felt like a madhouse.

My head throbbed. Just as I was about to speak, a nurse came in to change my IV.

Frowning, she reprimanded them, "Why is it so noisy in here? Patients need rest. If you want to argue, take it outside!"

The ward finally fell quiet.

Victor snorted, glared at Leo, and stormed out.

The moment Victor left, Leo plastered on a smile and handed the nurse a bottle of water. "Sorry about that. Family stuff."

The nurse ignored him and left.

Now that we were alone in the ward, Leo hurried to my bedside, tucking in my blanket and peeling an apple. "Mom, don't pay Victor any mind. He's always been money-obsessed. Are you thirsty? I'll get you some water."

The more I looked at his smiling face, the colder I felt inside.

I once thought Leo was different from his brothers, that he truly cared about me.

Only at the very end did I understand that it was all a carefully staged act to win my sympathy, followed by the real demand. It was all part of his scheme.

As expected, over the next two days, Leo came every day.

He sent breakfast in the mornings and stayed with me in the evenings. He was the most caring son one could ask for.

Even the caregiver whispered to me, "Your youngest son is really attentive. He's so much better than the other two."

I merely smiled in response.

After two days, while peeling an apple, Leo said casually, "Mom, I went shopping yesterday and saw a pair of limited-edition shoes. Only 30 thousand dollars."

I said nothing.

He gave me the apple and showed me a picture. "Look, the color suits me so well. Everyone at work has them except me. It's embarrassing."

I took a bite of the apple, still silent.

Leo pouted and grabbed my hand. "Mom, buy them for me, okay? Just consider it my birthday gift. After all, what's 30 thousand dollars to you, right?"

Seeing the anticipation in his eyes, I smiled suddenly. "Victor asked for 50 thousand dollars, and you asked for 30 thousand dollars. Did you plan this together?"

His smile faltered. "Mom, what do you mean? I'm not like him. I-I just think the shoes look nice."

"I have no money," I said calmly, pulling my hand back. "There's no more money in the bank account you set up."

Leo's face went pale. "What? How could hundreds of thousands just be gone? Y-You…"

He pointed at me, speechless for what felt like forever, then tossed the apple onto the table in a huff.

"Fine! So you planned this all along? No wonder you wouldn't give Victor money. I stayed here playing the attentive son for days, and it was all for nothing! You're hell-bent on keeping the money to yourself, aren't you?" he yelled.

When he finally showed his true colors, an unexpected sense of relief washed over me.

"Yes. The money is mine. None of you will touch it again," I replied.

Leo trembled with rage, grabbed his bag, and stormed out. "Fine! Susan Jenkins, you're ruthless! When you're old and can't move, don't expect me to take care of you!"

The door slammed shut, and the room finally fell into complete silence.

I stared at the ceiling as tears slid down my cheeks.

These were the sons I had loved my entire life, and every one of them was trying to squeeze me for everything I had.