Chapter 2

Grandma snapped, "You wretched woman, how dare you implicate my son? If you hadn't insisted on protecting that fool and adamantly refused to have another child, would my son have been forced to leave? I don't care what happens to you, but you must give me the money."

Mom's eyes reddened, but she forced back her tears.

My heart felt a pang, hurting more than when Grandma forcefully twisted my ear.

Heidi took Mom's hand, stood in front of her, and said to Grandma, "Your son should be the one paying for your living expenses. My mom has no obligation to support you in your old age, and you are not 50 yet, so you don't meet the age requirement for elder care.

"We are both minors, and according to the law, your son must pay for our tuition and living expenses. Otherwise, we can report him to the police and have him arrested.

"You're always talking about missing your son; if you just call the police, your son will come back."

Grandma's gaze faltered in panic. "You lying brat, what nonsense are you talking about?"

Heidi showed no fear. "Grandma, if you try to ask my mom for money again, I will call the police. Your son is not fulfilling his support obligations."

Grandma pursed her lips and glared at Mom angrily. "Alright, Susan, you're really tough. I'm going to have a good talk with your parents, to see how they could raise such a disrespectful scoundrel."

With that, Grandma roughly pushed me away and strode off, her steps strong and unlike an old woman.

Seeing this, Mom looked out the door in a bit of shock and saw that Grandma had really left.

She strode back with light steps, her eyes full of joy as she looked at Heidi.

Heidi obediently went up and hugged Mom.

I crawled up from the ground, feeling so happy seeing Mom's blissful expression.

Mom was overjoyed, repeatedly saying, "Heidi, you've truly made Mom proud. Today is truly the most satisfying day Mom has had in years."

Mom asked about Heidi's preferences and lavishly prepared a table full of seafood.

At the dinner table, when Heidi presented Keke's nearly perfect score report, Mom was almost moved to tears of joy.

Mom exclaimed, "Such a good child, such a good child! Mom's child is truly exceptional."

I paid no mind to anything else; the aroma of soup kept wafting into my nostrils. I picked up my fork, eager to put the shrimp into my mouth.

I was stopped by Benny's screaming. She said, "Baby, don't eat that. You're allergic to all seafood.

"Eating it will kill you. When you were little, you ate a shrimp and almost suffocated.

"Your Mom held you for allergy testing. Now that she has her own child, she wants to kill you."

I stood frozen, holding the shrimp. I knew I was a little foolish, but I understood what death meant.

If I died, I would never see the sunlight again or feel Mom stroking my hair and calling me her sweet baby.

I cautiously looked at Mom.

Although Mom was coaxing my sister to eat, her gaze kept sweeping over to me. Her eyes held anticipation.

I feel a bit numb inside. As a child, many kids in the village me with sticks, calling me an idiot.

They beat me until my body was covered with injuries. Dad had the same expression when he said he would give me away to have another baby.

At that time, Mom fiercely scolded Dad. She hugged me tightly and firmly declared as if making an oath, "I only want Madilyn as my child."

Mom, the wounds on my body seem to hurt again.

That night, Mom suddenly rushed into my room and hugged me tightly, repeatedly saying, "I'm sorry, baby. Mom is so sorry."

Cool drops fell on my neck. I suddenly wasn't sad anymore. I hugged Mom and softly said, "Mom, I love you."

Mom's body trembled, and she cried even more hysterically.

An idiot might not be clever, but she could sense who loved her the most.

Mom returned to her old self, speaking to me gently and praising me for being sensible.

I felt like someone with a sweet tooth who suddenly fell into a cloud made of cotton candy. My heart felt warm and sweet.

But then the wind blew, the clouds suddenly scattered, and everything came to an abrupt halt.

That day, Mom, Heidi, and I went out together, holding hands, to shop and eat.

Everyone was happy. As we passed a gold store, Mom's smile abruptly vanished.

She let go of my hand, picked up Heidi, and rushed inside. Then she screamed, "Jeremy, you heartless scoundrel. You abandoned us helpless women and children and ran off with this old mistress.

"You stole all the money from home. You don't even care about your own Mom and children anymore.

"You heartless person, our entire family is living in poverty, yet you're buying gold for this old mistress? How can you face me? I'll kill you, Jeremy."

Mom furiously picked up her bag and repeatedly hit Dad, but it was like water splashing on a bear, only angering him further.

Just like that day, he snatched the bag, took out the money, threw the bag aside, and charged Mom with his fist.

Punch after punch, Mom's mouth soon bled. She lay on the ground, helplessly enduring Dad's blows.

Heidi stood by, stunned with fear.