Chapter 1

Tags: Suffocating Motherly Love, Family Drama, High-Stakes Twist, Retribution, Clear-Headed Heroine

My mother poured every ounce of her soul into me growing up.

She woke up at five in the morning to make my breakfast,

Never let me lift a finger for household chores,

Enrolled me in expensive prep courses, and painstakingly planned my entire future.

Day after day, year after year.

Later, when I was accepted into Stanford,

My mother threatened to disown me.

Without a second thought, I packed my bags and walked away.

I posted on Instagram to share the news of my acceptance to Stanford, instantly getting flooded with congratulations from friends and classmates. Relatives left comments saying we had to throw a celebration dinner, praising my hard work, drive, and talent.

Everything felt so happy, so worth celebrating.

Until my mother called. She roared into the receiver with pure, vitriolic fury: "Chloe Miller, why did you apply out of state without consulting me first? Get your ass back here right now! If I don't see you within an hour, I will end my life!"

Before I could even speak, she hung up.

I gripped my phone, a wave of sheer exhaustion washing over me.

Ever since I was little, whenever someone praised how bright and obedient I was, they would inevitably sigh in the next breath about how much my mother had sacrificed for me, how she had poured out her heart and soul.

Then, with deep earnestness, they would remind me that when I grew up, I had to be devoted to her, that I had to repay everything she had suffered for my sake.

I had nothing to say except to nod.

After all, how could I ever explain to them that while my mother loved me, her love was suffocating?

When I arrived home, my mother was already sobbing uncontrollably. Aunt Sharon and Aunt Clara sat on either side of her, consoling her.

The moment they saw me, they started in on me: "Chloe, what took you so long? Your mother almost passed out because of you."

"Go comfort your mother right now. Tell her you’re not going to abandon her."

I stood before the coffee table, lips pressed tight, silent.

Seeing my silence, Aunt Clara grew irritated: "Chloe, what is this attitude? Going to Stanford is supposed to be a good thing, but how could you do it without consulting your mother? If you leave for years and don't come back, what is she supposed to do?"

Aunt Sharon sighed as well: "That's the problem with having an only child. If you had listened to me back then and had another one, you wouldn't be dealing with this now."

She turned to glare at me. "Chloe, if your mother hadn't worked so hard to take care of you and pushed you to study day and night, would you have achieved any of this today? You're accomplished now, but don't forget where you came from! If you really dare to abandon your mother just for college, I'll be the first one to stop you!"

Right. Ever since I was a child, whenever I went against my mother’s wishes, every aunt and relative would come to lecture me, telling me not to break her heart. Because she was supposedly so good to me, if I didn't obey her, I was ungrateful, heartless, and cruel.

So when I wanted to eat apple pie as a child, I wasn't allowed because she hated it.

When I wanted to learn piano, I had to take dance classes instead because she loved dancing.

When I wanted to major in civil engineering for college, she claimed that becoming a teacher had a better reputation, made it easier to get married, and left plenty of time to care for kids.

So I was forced to give up the major I loved, and I was even forced to choose a local state university nearby so she could "take better care of me."

But that was never the life I wanted.

I looked at my mother, ignoring her tears.

With a firmness I had never felt before, I said, "Mom, no matter how much you make a scene this time, I am going to Stanford."

My mother’s face twisted in rage. Remembering there were outsiders present, she gritted her teeth. "I forbid it. You’ve never washed a single dish or folded a single shirt your whole life. How will you survive living on your own across the country? How can you expect me to rest easy?"

Then she dabbed at her tears, choking on her words: "Chloe, honey, I know I sounded harsh earlier. But I truly only want what's best for you. I gave up my career for you. I stayed by your side day and night helping you study. I woke up before dawn every single day to cook for you. I sacrificed so much for you. Do you really have the heart to leave for years? Do you really not want your own mother anymore?"

I cut in before my aunts could speak, my tone eerily calm: "If that's what you think, then fine. Mom, I grew up a long time ago. I don't need to live sheltered under your wings. And I don't need you to dictate the road ahead of me. I am willing to taste life's bitterness on my own. Even if I crash and burn, I won't ask you to take the blame. As long as... you're willing to let go."

My mother looked into my eyes, seemingly realizing my determination for the first time.

In truth, since I started college, our conflicts had grown deeper and erupted more frequently. She knew she was losing her grip on me.

In desperation, she screamed once more: "If you leave, I am disowning you!"

My gaze turned cold, a faint, bitter smile tugging at the corner of my lips.

"Fine. It's a deal."

With that, I turned and walked away without looking back, completely tuning out the shouting and screaming of the three women left in the living room.

I was truly done living a controlled life.