Chapter 1

As the temperature plunged to thirty degrees below zero, a desperate local plea shot to the top of the trending lists: [How can I make my ruthless adoptive mother disappear quietly in the blizzard?]

The attached photo showed an arm covered in bruises, yet the custom Rolex on the wrist was unmistakably the thirtieth-birthday gift I'd given my adoptive son, Edmund.

Thirty years of raising him with unwavering devotion, giving him everything he ever wanted… only to end up with a viper who now wished me dead.

All supermarkets across the country had already shut down, and transportation was on the brink of collapsing.

I worried he'd be cold and hungry; meanwhile, Edmund was busy plotting my death.

Swallowing the ache in my chest, I called back the driver I'd sent to deliver food and supplies to him.

A second later, Edmund rang, his voice bursting with excitement. "Mom! Don't bother sending the driver anymore

"I'm already on my way with your daughter-in-law and grandson. With weather this bad, I have to be the one to take care of you."

*****

Outside, the snow was coming down in sheets. I scrolled through Edmund's post, a chill running down my spine. My hands were shaking so badly I could barely hold my phone.

[My adoptive mother is worth over a hundred million, but she's the nastiest person you could imagine. She used to beat and yell at me all the time, and I was always hungry and freezing growing up.]

[Now that I'm married with a kid, it tears me up inside to see my wife and son get bullied by her. So, guys, how can I use this freezing weather to get my revenge?]

The attached photo showed a three-year-old boy with his face blurred out, his body covered in bruises, obviously beaten.

The poster's exposed forearm was covered in scars, but with that flashy custom gold Rolex on his wrist, there was no mistaking who he was. My adopted son, Edmund.

Those gruesome wounds? Probably just painted on by his wife Alice, the makeup artist.

People online were furious, flooding the comments with advice for the poster.

[Poor OP, my heart aches for you. But with all this snow, just wait until she runs out of food and then kicks her out to scavenge for supplies. Let the weather do the rest.]

The poster replied with a sigh emoji. [I don't even live with her. She's got a villa out in the suburbs, and that old hag is so scared of dying she even built a panic room underground. She's probably got enough supplies to last her months…]

Someone replied right away, [OP, you've been bullied so much you're not thinking straight. Just go and claim her villa before the snow blocks the roads. You're young and strong. Once the whole city's frozen over, there's no way she can stop you.]

The poster liked the comment. [Don't worry, everyone. I've got it all figured out. Every bit of pain she's put me through over the years? I'll make her pay back a hundred times over.]

When I saw Edmund's vicious words, it was like a knife to my heart.

But the fear of dying jolted me out of my sorrow. I grabbed my phone in a panic and called the driver. "Dilan, you don't need to deliver those supplies to Edmund.

"Just take them home and be with your family. Stay safe out there."

As soon as I hung up, my phone started ringing again.

My finger slipped and I accidentally answered.

Edmund's excited voice burst through. "Mom! It's freezing out, and Alice and our son are really worried about you. We've decided to move in and take care of you ourselves."

My heart nearly jumped out of my chest. I frantically hung up.

My husband, Hector, heard the commotion and came downstairs.

Seeing how pale I looked, he placed a comforting hand on my back, his voice full of concern. "What's wrong? Are you feeling sick? I thought I heard Edmund's voice."

I shook my head. "Hector, take a look at this post."

Just then, Edmund called again. Hector's face darkened as he answered, turning away to talk in private.

I couldn't make out what they were saying, but my head was pounding.

Five minutes later, Hector came back with my phone, looking puzzled. "Honey, which post did you want me to see?"

I took the phone and scrolled frantically, but the post was gone.

Seeing how shaken I was, Hector could tell something was really wrong. "Seriously, what's going on?" he pressed.

"It's Edmund," I stammered, my voice shaky.