The day my mother, against all odds, announced she was having a second child with my much younger stepfather. My entire family ganged up, forcing me to sign disownment papers. I just smiled, took the pen, signed, and then dialed my inheritance lawyer. “Could you please check if my biological father’s billion-dollar inheritance is completely out of reach for this group of people?” I had always been the sole focus of my family, growing up as an only child in New York. The best education, the brightest future. Until the day I graduated. My mother called, summoning me home. “Aria, hurry back! Mom has some wonderful news to share with you!” I arrived home to find my stepfather instructing a maid to clear out my room. Mom was bubbling with excitement, walking a little awkwardly. She looked… clumsy. “Aria, come sit down! Mom has something to tell you: you’re going to have a little brother! Aren’t you happy?” I lowered my eyes, glancing at her slightly bulging abdomen. “Mom, you’re 58 this year, not 38.” “Aria, I know,” my mom said, blushing slightly as she stroked her belly, then looked at my stepfather, “But Frank is still young, and he wants to have a child with me.” “Are you seriously having a baby without consulting your oldest child?” My stepfather overheard and yelled, his voice rough. “What’s it to you? You never liked me anyway! Never liked this family!” I ignored him. I continued to my mother, “What were you thinking?” Mom replied, “Frank got a promotion; he’s now the Sales Department Manager.” “He can afford a child, and this one’s a boy.” “You know, your mom doesn’t really care about gender, but boys are so much easier; they practically raise themselves. He won’t be any trouble for his big sister, I promise.” “You’ll always be Mom’s little princess, and when your brother is born, he’ll protect you too!” Mom blinked at me, a wide smile on her face. “Mom, I wasn’t worried about any of that. I’m worried about your health.” My mother’s face had changed since she’d gotten older; there was a subtle, unsettling strangeness I couldn’t quite place. I’d always been independent, living in a boarding school since elementary. I attributed this strangeness to the limited time we spent together. Now, with her second pregnancy, a peculiar feeling stirred within me. But I was eighteen. I figured I just had to accept it; adults aren’t supposed to act so recklessly. I felt a wave of exhaustion. “Mom, if you’ve thought it through, that’s fine. I’m going to rest; the train ride was pretty tiring.” I pushed open my bedroom door, only to find it had already been converted into a nursery. I turned to my mom, who cringed, explaining apologetically, “Aria, you don’t come back often, so Frank and I just…” “Mom, this is my father’s house, not Frank’s.” My stepfather slammed the door and stormed out. “So, where do I sleep?” I stood in the living room, my luggage still in hand, demanding an answer. Mom plastered on a smile, “How about you rest in the living room for a bit?” I sighed, helpless. Mom quickly started tidying the living room. A worn stuffed animal lay carelessly discarded at her feet. I picked it up. It was a doll Mom had specially made for me when I was a child. Inside, there was a tiny voice recorder with my father’s voice. I looked at the mess around me. “Mom, forget it. I’ll stay at a hotel.” Mom froze for a moment, but then forced another smile. “Aria, I’m so sorry.” “Mom, you have your own life. Just don’t regret it.” “Please, can you not throw away my things? I’ll find someone to pick them up.” “Of course, Aria. Mom will keep everything safe for you.” I took a deep breath. I tried to calm myself. “So, what’s your due date? And you plan to show up at my engagement party like this, right?” 2 My fiancé, Liam, and I had been together all through college, four years. Aside from being a bit of a momma’s boy, he was decent. His family was well-off. He was ambitious and genuinely loved me. The only issue was his mother, who always thought my family situation was “too complicated.” His parents arrived early. Dressed impeccably, exuding an air of sophistication. But their posture was overtly arrogant. My mom arrived much later, clad in an oversized pink maternity dress. My stepfather was dressed like he’d just stepped out of a cheesy haircut commercial. My future mother-in-law’s face instantly hardened. At least fifty relatives were present. They all saw my mom’s huge belly. First, staring at my mother like she was a circus freak, then turning those same judgmental eyes on me. My future mother-in-law spoke, “Um, Aria, have these two perhaps come to the wrong place?” I lowered my head. “Mrs. Albright, this is my mother, and this is my stepfather.” My mother, oblivious to my embarrassment, sat down and picked up a menu. “You must be Liam’s mother. Hello, hello!” Mrs. Albright’s eyes were fixed on Mom’s belly; she looked like she had a hundred things to say but held them back. My mom, however, was openly sharing, “Almost due. It’s a boy.” Mrs. Albright’s lips twitched. “Well, congratulations then.” I couldn’t bring myself to meet her gaze. I sat between my stepfather and my mother. Gritting my teeth, I whispered, “Didn’t I tell you not to come?” Mom replied, “You’re Mom’s little princess! How could your mother not be here on such an important day as your engagement?” “Besides, your unborn little brother has to be here to congratulate you too!” She stroked her belly, smiling blissfully. “Honey, don’t you think our family is double blessed?” My stepfather looked at Mom, forcing a smile. Mrs. Albright turned to me. “Aria, why don’t you come with me to check on the food?” I stood in the hallway, watching Mrs. Albright’s refined features contort, as if she’d aged a decade in a single furious breath. She forcefully suppressed her anger, pointing a finger at my head. “Aria Blackwood, are you deliberately trying to disrespect me?” I lowered my head. “No, Mrs. Albright.” She scoffed. “My enemies would wake up laughing from their sleep if they knew I was associating with a family like yours.” “Your entire family, I can’t even begin to describe them! A slimy, scheming stepfather who looks like he’d murder his wife for insurance any second, and a mother so blinded by love she’s foolish enough to get pregnant at nearly sixty!” “And a clueless daughter who clearly has no idea how to present herself!” I kept my head down. “You can say whatever you want about me, but my mother raised me with difficulty. Please don’t talk about her like that, Mrs. Albright.” “You want me to agree to this marriage? Absolutely not!” I apologized, “Mrs. Albright, I’m sorry.” “What is this circus you’ve brought? Are you deliberately trying to humiliate me? You clearly have no shame, but I do!” My future mother-in-law’s fury was unbearable. I could only stare at the floor. “Mrs. Albright, it’s my mother’s freedom to have a child. I can’t control it, nor do I have the right to judge.” “Easy to say! Aria Blackwood, that’s her freedom? I ask you, when this child is eighteen, how old will your mother be?” “You want to marry my son? What if you two have your own children? You are completely irresponsible with your own life! I absolutely refuse to have someone like your mother as my in-law!” “You’ve completely disrespected me; your entire family is utterly repulsive!” She finished, then turned to leave with Liam. Meanwhile, I was still ordering food for my mom. Because she was hungry, and pregnant women can’t starve. Mrs. Albright watched me bustling about. “Though I don’t like you, I heard from Liam that you are a very capable girl, even if you won’t be my daughter-in-law.” “I’ll give you one last piece of advice: with a family like that, run away as soon as you can. They’ll only take advantage of you!” “Your mother has never once considered you!” “You and your family are truly bizarre!” With that, she stormed out with Liam. I watched Liam’s retreating back. And still chased after him. Even though he was a momma’s boy, he was undeniably handsome, like a K-drama star! His family was seriously wealthy. And it could really help my future career. Plus, I did love him. I called out to him, “Liam, is this really the end for us?” Liam replied, “My mom says your whole family is crazy.” I argued, “But we have different views than the older generation. If they want to have a child, isn’t it their freedom?” “As a daughter, what can I say? Liam, I’m helpless too!” “I thought you would understand.” Liam said, “I do understand, but I can’t accept my future mother-in-law being like that.” “The child she’s having, it’s basically for you to raise. Wake up!” I was about to say something else. But my mom’s FaceTime call interrupted me. “My little princess, I’m starving! Where are you?” I looked up. Liam was long gone. My mom only realized our in-laws had left after she finished eating. “Aria, why hasn’t your future mother-in-law come back yet?” “Mom, let’s go home. You need your afternoon nap.” “What’s wrong? Tell me!” “It’s off. The engagement is canceled,” I said weakly. “Why? Everything was fine just now! You youngsters treat life like a game! An engagement is a huge deal, and you just call it off like that!” “Mom, can we just go home, please?” Our relatives hadn’t left yet. My mom started yelling at me in front of everyone. “You’re becoming so unruly, daughter! How old are you? You have no stability!” Seeing my mortified expression, my mom’s tone softened. “I’m telling you, Liam isn’t all that great anyway. Besides being rich, handsome, and always doting on you, what else does he have?” My stepfather’s relative interjected, “Exactly, exactly! I always thought that family was too good for you. Honestly, even if you’d married in, you wouldn’t have gotten any real benefits.” I didn’t recognize the woman speaking to me. I only remembered she was one of my stepfather’s relatives, a middle-aged woman who looked quite coarse. “Aria, why don’t you meet my son?” “Even if he doesn’t have a job, he’s an honest man. His ex-wife just divorced him, so it’s perfect timing for you.” She excitedly pulled out her phone to show me a picture of her son. “Look, Aria, my son isn’t very photogenic, but he’s really handsome in person. You should meet him sometime.” “Mrs. Brenda, I’m not in a hurry, thank you for your kindness.” My mind was a blur; I didn’t want to deal with her. The aunt glanced at my stepfather. My stepfather suddenly stood up. “Aria, this is my distant cousin! What’s the harm in adding her on Snapchat? Have you no manners!” My stepfather put on airs, but my mother couldn’t meet my gaze. I looked at Mom. “Mom, what do you think? Should I add her?” Mom replied, “Aria, since you and Liam have broken up, there’s no harm in meeting someone new, right?” “Okay, I’ll listen to you, Mom.” I took out my phone and added the contact. That same evening, I returned to college. My stepfather was overjoyed. “In a family like ours, you need an honest man, you know? Don’t always reach for things that are beyond you!” He was probably drunk, pulling Mrs. Brenda’s hand. “Cousin Brenda, don’t worry, I’ll arrange it myself. Aria will be your daughter-in-law!” Watching my mother’s forced smile, my heart sank to rock bottom. 3 Since love was gone. I decided to focus on preparing for my graduate school re-interview. 8:30 AM. I was dressed in a carefully chosen outfit. Ready for my interview. My phone rang. It was Mom. I didn’t want to answer. But I was worried about her being pregnant and alone. So I picked up. “My little princess, come quickly!” “Mom’s stomach hurts, and I’m bleeding a lot!” Her voice was anxious, and hearing it, I felt a pang of fear. “Where’s Frank?” Mom cried, “How would I know? Probably out playing poker or something. Oh God, just come back, I’m so scared!” I glanced at the interview hall, so close. I could only hail a cab and rush home. At the hospital. The doctor examined Mom. “It’s nothing serious, just a little bleeding.” “Go home and rest. You’re too old for this.” I returned home and saw a bloodstain the size of a fingernail on my mom’s underwear. “Mom, if something happens, why don’t you call Frank?” “I can’t get back from college faster than him.” Mom was still caught up in the relief of a false alarm. “Frank’s busy, I don’t dare bother him. He’s at a crucial point in his career!” “Mom, today was my graduate school re-interview. He’s at a crucial point in his career, what about me?” Mom seemed to realize her mistake. She lowered her head. “My little princess, I was wrong. Mom won’t do this again.” I gritted my teeth, barely suppressing my emotions. “Stop calling me ‘little princess’!” “I’m not blaming you. I just think that Frank is your husband now; he has an obligation to fulfill a husband’s duties.” “And isn’t it his child you’re carrying?” Mom didn’t seem to pay attention to what I was saying, merely giving a perfunctory agreement. “Also, those funds my father left you? You better not let Frank know about them, or he’ll completely take advantage of you!” Mom replied, “How could he? Frank is an honest man; he’s the father of my child. I tell him everything, and I’ve entrusted all our family money to him.” A bad feeling washed over me. “The three million I saved for my overseas studies, you gave that to him too?” My mom avoided my gaze. “I…” “You really gave it to him? That’s the money I need for my overseas studies!” “Daughter, he won’t use your money. I just gave it to him to hold onto.” My emotions were on the verge of collapsing. “Then call him and have him transfer the money to my account.” Mom didn’t understand my sudden change of demeanor and nervously clutched her belly. “What are you doing? Aria, aren’t we family? Why are you suddenly wary of Frank?” “Me, wary of him? Come on, wake up!” My money was gone, and I was frantic. “Call him right now and get my money back, and then I’ll believe what you’re saying!” My mother, unconcerned, picked up her phone. “Hello, honey? The three million I asked you to hold onto, can you give it to me now?” “It’s nothing important, Aria just wants to use it.” “Don’t ask so many questions, just transfer it to my account, okay?” “You can’t take it out? What do you mean? Honey, please come home now and explain it to Aria.” Mom’s voice grew softer, and she cast a guilty glance at me. “Frank said he used that money to buy a house.” “He can’t get it back right now.” “But he said investing in real estate is very profitable, and we’ll pay you back once we make money!” I roared, “Mom!” “Are you out of your mind?! Buying a house now?” “I’m about to graduate! My graduate school plans were ruined by you, and now overseas study is my only path! I want that money back right now!” “Aria, Mom heard it’s really chaotic overseas. Do you really want to abandon Mom and go study abroad?” “The priority right now is getting my money back!” “Alright, alright, look how anxious you are! Why has your temper gotten so bad lately?” “Mom, didn’t you say he had no ulterior motives? Let’s make a bet, okay?” Mom asked, “Bet what?” “Let’s bet on whose name is on the house deed! I bet he won’t even put your name on it, let alone mine.” Mom, without hesitation, laughed and said, “How could that be? He promised me that house is for your little brother.” I stared at her in disbelief. “You knew! You knew about this, and you indulged him in using my overseas study money to buy a house!” It was only then that my mom realized she had accidentally blurted out the truth. “Yes, Aria, Mom knew.” “But Mom truly believes overseas study isn’t necessary. You’ll get married someday; you won’t need that much money.” “But Frank and I are already old; we need to raise your brother, get him married, have children, and buy him a house. Consider this money something we owe you.” I questioned her, “If you knew you were old and couldn’t afford to raise him, why did you have him?” “And what about me, Mom? The moment you got pregnant with him, my room was taken over, even though this is the house my father left me!” “Losing my room was one thing, but you ruined a perfectly good engagement for me!” “And all that was still fine, but you ruined my graduate school re-interview too!” “That was my future! I was first in the written exam! Do you know how hard it is to prepare for that? A whole year of my effort, all ruined by you!” “And now you tell me I can’t even go study overseas, and my money has been completely used up by you two!” “I was the top graduate in my medical school program! If I hadn’t wanted to apply to my dream school, I would have been guaranteed admission already!” “If I don’t go to grad school or abroad, what do you want me to do? I won’t find a job with just a bachelor’s degree!” My mom looked at me like I was insane. “Aria, do you remember Frank’s distant cousin, Mrs. Brenda?” “Her son can introduce you to a job. He works at the local community clinic, mostly handling inventory and waste disposal, but he knows people there.” “The young man said if you’re willing to marry him, he’ll pull some strings for you to work at the hospital.” “Mom, you’re crazy, you’re truly crazy. Do you even know what you’re saying?” “Mom thinks overseas is bad. Why can’t you just graduate, find an honest man to marry, and be Mom’s little princess forever?” “You’re terrifying. I’m going to sue Frank to get my assets back!” “Are you even my mom?” “Do you really think I’d choose between studying overseas and marrying a twice-divorced man who handles waste disposal?” “Someone’s really messed with your head.” “You’re on your own!” I stormed out of the house. Mom helplessly called after me, “I’ve done everything for your sake, why don’t you understand a parent’s hardships?”
🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “NovelMaster” app 🔍 search for “299209”, and watch the full series ✨! #NovelMaster #浪漫Romance #现实主义Realistic #重生Reborn
Leave a Reply