Chapter 3

Mom lunged forward, snatching the knife from my hand.

She clutched her chest, sobbing, and hit me.

"You heartless ingrate, you're trying to kill your mother!"

"Is it so hard to just take humanities? I'm doing this for your own good, sweetie. Why should a girl study STEM? You won't even have an advantage on the college entrance exams!"

"For my own good."

Since I was a child, my mom had controlled me with that phrase.

Not just her, but everyone around us.

When they heard how Mom hadn't remarried for my sake, how she'd worked tirelessly to raise me, they looked at her with admiration.

And I became the one expected to obey her unconditionally.

Otherwise, I was a heartless ingrate.

They'd all say, "Your mom is so good to you, you must treat her well when you're older."

"Don't ever cross her or make her angry."

I'd heard such words countless times growing up; my ears were practically numb from hearing them.

I patted Mom's back.

"Mom," I reasoned patiently, "I like the STEM track. Actually, STEM opens up many more college majors. My choice makes sense."

Mom didn't reply.

As if struck by an idea, she pushed me aside, wiped her tears, and stormed out.

I didn't know what she was planning, but right then, all I wanted was to focus on my studies.

To get into a university I loved, have a free and loving relationship, and build an independent life for myself.

But I didn't expect a crowd to gather at our doorstep shortly after.

These were Mom's 'reinforcements.'

Among them were some aunts who had always seemed somewhat kind to me.

They were all neighbors, well-versed in our family situation.

Mom stood there, arms crossed, a triumphant look on her face.

It was as if she was saying, "See? If you don't listen to me, everyone around you will point fingers and scold you."

Soon, Brenda, a neighbor, walked over and took my hand.

She spoke with feigned sincerity, "Sweetheart, I know you're a sensible girl. Your mom is doing this for your own good. Why upset her so much over a simple track choice?"

Looking at her smiling face, I felt nothing but scorn.

Brenda's daughter, Skyler, was notoriously rebellious.

She never disciplined her, or rather, she *dared* not discipline her.

She'd boast to others that her daughter had character and independence, unlike those pathetic kids who only listened to their parents.

Now she was siding with my mom, scolding *me* for being disobedient?

I smiled back at her. "Brenda, you should probably focus on your own daughter, Skyler. If I'm not mistaken, I saw her with some troublemaker heading into some shady place just the other day."

"You might be a grandma soon. I'll make sure to drop by for a wedding gift when she has to rush down the aisle."

Brenda's face changed instantly.

She pointed at me, spitting, "You ungrateful brat, how could you be so rude? I'm here trying to help you, and you spread rumors about my daughter? Clearly, a child without a father truly has no upbringing!"

As she said that, my mom's face darkened. She didn't realize that these aunts, who pretended to be her friends, actually laughed at her behind her back for being a 'lonely widow.'

In my previous life, I would have argued with them, only for Mom to scold me for being impolite.

Now, I was going to make her see these fake friends for who they were.

Brenda quickly went to comfort my mom.

"Eleanor, I spoke without thinking, please don't take it to heart."

Then, she shot me a glare before adding, "You've raised quite a daughter there, I wouldn't dare say anything else. I'm leaving."

My mom lost one fake friend, and a key ally in her scheme.

But she couldn't do anything about it, only signaling with her eyes for the others to continue.

0