Chapter 4

Patricia, another neighbor, was quite stout with a booming voice, and an even fiercer temper.

Her husband couldn't stand her fiery personality, so he constantly cheated on her with other women.

She, however, spent her days ignoring her husband and children, preferring to meddle in other people's affairs.

I hated her.

It was because of her that my mom had hidden my dream university acceptance letter, causing me to miss the enrollment deadline.

Patricia was jealous that I got into a top-tier university while her own daughter barely scraped into a community college.

So, she constantly whispered poison into my mom's ear.

She'd say that if I went to a big university, I'd never come back home.

That's why Mom pressured me into choosing a local state college, keeping me tied to her side.

And it didn't end there. After I started college, she kept pushing Mom to visit me and spy on me.

She deliberately badmouthed me to my mom.

This constant interference only worsened the relationship between my mom and me.

She looked at me with an air of superiority.

Clearing her throat, Patricia announced, "Audrey, this is wrong. Your mother raised you; whatever she tells you to do, you should obey. To defy her like this is truly unfilial."

"Back where I'm from, girls weren't even allowed to go to school. Your mom worked so hard to support you. You're not only ungrateful, but you're defying her? Honestly, Eleanor, I think you should just make her drop out and get a job."

I sneered.

"Patricia," I said directly, "I truly admire you. Your husband is about to divorce you, yet you still have the energy to meddle in our family's business. Whether I study or not, what does it have to do with you? Or is it that you're jealous that I'm always first in class while your daughter is always last, so you're hoping to convince my mom to make me drop out?"

"You're utterly stupid and wicked. Only my mom is naive enough to believe you truly care about her. Don't think I don't know you've always been jealous that my mom raised such a smart, well-behaved daughter."

Patricia's face contorted with rage, and she began to hurl curses at me.

"You really are a no-good, fatherless brat with no upbringing! What business is our family's affairs to you? Do you, a little hussy, need to tell me how to live my life?"

I shot back, "Oh, really? What business are *my* family's affairs to *you*? Do *we* need you to tell my mom and me how to live *our* lives?"

Patricia tried to say more, but Brenda, who had rushed back in, pulled her away.

My mom's face grew darker and darker.

The remaining aunts, seeing my outburst, didn't dare say another word.

It was true; I knew all the dirty laundry of these neighbors. Arguing with me would only strip away the last shred of their dignity.

So, one by one, they offered my mom a polite smile and left.

After Mom closed the door, her expression was still terrible.

"Who taught you to say all that?" she asked, her voice cold.

I sighed.

"Mom, you don't have many friends. I saw how genuinely happy you were with them, so I didn't want to tell you."

Tears slowly welled up in Mom's eyes.

She walked towards me and gently embraced me.

"Audrey, no matter what they say, no one is as important as you are in my heart."

"I know, Mom. Sometimes my methods aren't right, but deep down, I truly want what's best for you."

I smiled, patting her back.

"Mom, I actually hope you'll find your own hobbies and your own life."

"Instead of making me your whole world. Only when you're happy, will I truly be happy."

Reborn.

I had resented Mom, blamed her, but I never hated her.

I knew she had sacrificed a lot for me.

And endured a lot because of me.

Many of the things she did were indeed out of love, just misguided.

What I wanted to tell Mom was that I was grown now. I had my own thoughts and my own path to follow. I could take care of myself, and I could take care of her.

This time, I was determined to ensure both my mom and I had a happy ending.

Mom didn't say a word.

After a moment, she sighed.

"I don't really understand much about your studies."

"If you like the STEM track, then go ahead and choose it."

I couldn't believe my ears.

I never thought Mom would actually give in to my wishes for the first time.

It was a small step, but it meant the world to me.

I hugged Mom tightly.

Jumping with joy, I exclaimed, "Mom, don't worry, I'll work incredibly hard, and I won't let you down!"

From that day on, I studied even more diligently.

My mom also changed.

She wasn't as strict with me anymore.

I thought, maybe after that incident, Mom truly had a change of heart.

A year passed like this, and I was far ahead with the highest STEM grades in the entire school.

My teachers had high hopes for me; they believed I would surely be the state valedictorian that year.

Tsinghua or Peking University — the world was my oyster.

Just before the college entrance exams.

My mom prepared a lavish feast for me.

"Audrey, you've worked hard for three years. I've thought things through, and from now on, I won't interfere with anything you want to do."

"You're right. Actually, Arthur has been quite good to me. After you go to college, I'll try dating him."

I was overjoyed.

I accepted the glass of wine my mom offered, drinking it all without hesitation.

"Mom, it's great that you've come around! I promise I'll work hard, earn a lot of money, and take care of you."

I was too excited.

I completely missed the fleeting flicker of guilt in my mom's eyes.

Soon, I was drunk.

My mom helped me to bed.

I had a beautiful dream.

In it, I got into my dream university, MIT. There, I found a supportive and understanding boyfriend. My mom had her own new family and was happy every day.

But when I woke up again, rubbing my bleary eyes, I discovered something utterly terrifying.