Chapter 2

"It's common for cards to get demagnetized. Tomorrow, I'll go with you to the bank to get a new one and take care of the paperwork. That way, we won't have to worry about anything dragging on."

Chole spoke faster than usual, her words full of that unmistakable "this is how it's going to be" vibe—she was already taking charge.

Linda didn't take the fruit basket. She bent down to change her shoes and said calmly, "No need, I can handle it myself."

Ryan walked over then, sounding frustrated and confused. "Mom, what's up with you today? You didn't answer your phone or reply to any messages. Chole's parents are waiting for us to get back to them. We've already picked the house. All that's left is the down payment."

He reached for his mother's hand, but Linda stepped away so naturally that the movement almost went unnoticed.

Linda straightened up, looking at her son's face—so familiar, yet suddenly distant. "Ryan, just tell me this: If I ever need to stay with you for a while, would there be room for me?"

Ryan avoided Linda's gaze and looked over at Chole.

Chole picked up the conversation. Her smile remained, but her voice cooled a little. "Mom, of course there will be. But where I come from, there's a custom that newlyweds should live alone in the new house during the first year. It's supposed to bring good luck.

"Besides, you're used to living here. In the new district, you wouldn't know anyone. You'd be bored. We can always come visit you often instead."

That pretty much shut down any chance of Linda moving in anytime soon.

Linda nodded, not pressing further. "Let's wait until I figure out what's wrong with the card before we talk about the money. I'm tired. You two should head back."

Ryan looked like he wanted to say something else, but Chole shot him a look that shut him up.

After they left, Linda didn't bother turning on the lights. She sat alone in the dark living room, checking the bank card in the dim light from her phone.

Then she opened her mobile banking app and, with a few taps, moved most of the money to an old account tied to a passbook she'd kept hidden for years—one nobody else knew about.

When she finished, she erased the transfer history and tucked her phone and card away.

The streetlight outside spilled a small patch of light at her feet, and Linda knew she'd just given herself a safety net.

Early the next morning, Linda was woken by a persistent knocking at the door. She opened it to find Ryan standing there alone, holding a bag of breakfast.

He forced a smile onto his face, but the red in his eyes made it obvious he had not slept well.

As he set the breakfast on the table, Ryan tried to sound casual. "Mom, Chole was a bit harsh last night. She's not a bad person, really. It's just the house stuff is moving fast, and her mom keeps pushing her. Don't let it get to you."

She watched her son bustle around the kitchen with awkward eagerness. This familiar peacemaker routine had always worked on her before.

Seeing his mom was calm, Ryan cautiously sat down, his tone softer than before. "Mom, about that card...do you want me to go to the bank with you today? The sooner we get this settled, the sooner Chole and I can relax. Here's the floor plan for the new place."

He pulled out his phone, brought up the picture, and held it out to Linda. He pointed at the master bedroom and living room, chatting about their plans for decorating, but he made sure to skip over the second bedroom or anything that might hint at a space for her or any elders.

Linda took the phone and studied the floor plan. Then she pointed at the smallest room, the study. "What are you planning to do with this one?"

Ryan froze for a second, his gaze shifting away. "Oh, that... For now, it'll just be a study. Maybe if we have kids later, we'll turn it into a nursery."

He quickly took the phone back, closed the picture, and abruptly changed the subject back to the bank card. "So, Mom, let's go to the bank today, okay? I took the day off."

Linda took a sip of soy milk, set the bowl down, and said calmly, "No rush with the card. I thought it over yesterday. This money is what I've saved up, and buying a house is a big deal. I need to handle it myself at the bank, maybe talk to the bank manager about the best way to do it. You should head to work."

Ryan's expression changed. He hadn't expected his mom to drag things out, and bringing up the bank manager and being careful was way beyond what he thought—he always assumed the money was his by default.

He blurted out, "Mom! What's there to ask? Just transfer the money already! Chole's family is waiting, and if we keep stalling, what if someone else grabs the house?"

His tone was tinged with frustration and a barely concealed anxiety.

Linda looked up, locking eyes with her son. "If the house gets taken, we can always find another one. But if I send off my retirement money and something urgent happens, who would I go to for help?"

That question left Ryan speechless. He opened his mouth, but nothing came out.