Chapter 2

I pushed his hand away and asked calmly, "Whose account is the money going into?"

David shrugged, acting like it was normal. "Hers. Come on, you're not short on money. Don't be so stingy."

I took a deep breath, walked in, and opened the drawer, only to find the ledger and seal were gone.

Alex came out of the back room, holding the seal in his hand. "The lumber supplier wanted payment, so I put a batch of materials on the breakfast shop's tab."

I was shaking with anger. "Give me back the seal."

He hid his hand behind his back. "If I give it back, you'll make a scene and shut down the build again. You're my mom. Isn't paying for your son's future house the least you should do?"

A bunch of customers in the shop were watching us.

David took my hand and gave them an apologetic smile. "I asked Helen to help Laura run the shop, and Alex is getting materials for the family. They're all helping her out."

Then he sighed. "Look at my wife. She acts like we are out to rob her."

Under all those stares, I yanked my hand back, my expression turning icy.

I told the employees to close for the day and start going through the accounts. Then I contacted every supplier one by one. "Without my signature, the breakfast shop won't be responsible for any debts."

Helen's eyes turned red. "Laura, if you don't want me around, I'll go.

"Alex is about to get engaged. I can't bear to see him without a home of his own."

David's expression darkened. "Why should you leave? This shop doesn't belong to her alone."

This shop was my mom's legacy to me.

For over twenty years, David never once kneaded a single piece of dough, and now he gave it away like it was nothing. He was convinced that I was only jealous.

He was certain that if we still shared a bed at night, I would open my wallet for him all over again.

That night, I went to the Local Community Office to cancel the house registration.

The clerk hesitated for a long time before handing me a House Construction Agreement.

My name was listed as the investor, and David's name was listed as the witness.

However, at some point, without me noticing, the "recognized owner" section had been switched to Helen's name.

My hands were shaking as I held the form.

At the bottom was another signature bearing the name "Laura Stone". The handwriting was obviously forged.

When I got back, I tossed the form in front of David and Alex, secretly hitting record on my phone. "Who signed my name here?"

David picked up the paper and reached over to smooth a strand of hair away from my face. "I told Alex to sign it. Come on, after twenty years together, would I ever do anything to hurt you?"

I felt nothing but sarcasm. "Was forging my signature for my own good?"

His hand stopped. At last, the warmth disappeared from his voice. "Everyone around here already thinks you're jealous and unreasonable. If word gets around, your mother's breakfast shop won't stay in business.

"And don't forget, Alex's engagement party is tomorrow. Do you have to make an issue out of this?"

Alex stood in the kitchen doorway, his voice icy. "Mrs. Quinn has been doing everything she can to run this family. All you have to do is pay the bills. You should be grateful."

They wore expressions as if they were doing all of this for my sake, yet every word they said drove another blade into my heart.

I closed my eyes, and whatever warmth remained in me finally disappeared.

*****

The engagement party the next day was held at the new house.

Even though construction was on hold, at least the outside looked presentable enough to keep up appearances.

David tossed me an apron first thing in the morning. "The girl's family will be here at ten. Make the traditional feast. As for the signature, I'll apologize to you tonight in private."

He spoke in that gentle tone, as though he hadn't been the one who forged my name.

I ignored him. "Have Alex come with me to the Local Community Office first. He needs to confirm that the signature is invalid."

David's smile faded. "It's our son's special day. Do you have to mess it up?"

I said coldly, "He's the one at fault."

"He's only a kid. What does he know? I told him to sign it. If you're angry, take it up with me." He slipped his arm around my waist and lowered his voice. "I'll make it up to you tonight.

"You can punish me however you want. Don't make a scene in front of everyone."

There it was again.

He thought one promise to spend the night with me could buy my silence and make me hand over my money, my business, and my name all over again.

Music drifted in from outside.

Someone called me over, and I saw Helen sitting in the seat reserved for me. She was wearing the new outfit I'd bought and my mother's emerald bracelet, talking to Alex's fiancée's family.

Meanwhile, I was relegated to the kitchen, right next to the stove.

David came over and tied the apron around my waist. "Helen is good at socializing. Let her keep the girl's parents company. You're the better cook, and we can't do without you in the kitchen."

I yanked off the apron. "Tell me, Alex. Who's your mother?"

The whole yard went dead silent.

Helen scrambled to her feet, flustered. "Laura, I didn't know this was your seat. I'm sorry."

David held her back, shooting me a warning look. "She's spent half a month running around helping with everything. What's wrong with letting her sit there for a while? You're Alex's mother. Are you going to fight her over a seat?"

Alex firmly guided Helen back into the seat. "Mrs. Quinn has been looking out for me all this time. Why shouldn't she sit here? Mom, besides paying for everything, what else have you ever done?"

It felt as though someone had ripped my heart open.

Wasn't I the one who paid for his tuition, helped him get his first job, and supported him financially, all while getting up at three to work every morning?

And after everything I had done, all I got was his contempt.

I nodded. "Then from today on, I won't pay for anything anymore."

I canceled the dishes that hadn't been delivered yet and took back the liquor, cigarettes, and gifts I'd bought for the engagement.

The girl's parents realized things were getting messy, grabbed their daughter, and made a quick exit.

Alex couldn't catch up to them. When he came back, he smashed the cups. "Are you happy now? If Mrs. Quinn were my mom, she would never mess up my engagement day like this."

David grabbed my wrist tightly. "Since you can't get your way with Helen, you're taking it out on Alex's marriage, huh? Laura, when did you get so vicious?"

I pried his hand off me. "I learned it from you."

I went back to the breakfast shop to get the ledger. As soon as I reached the storage room, I overheard David's voice.

He said, "We only have a few days left before the redevelopment registration closes. Get her to pay the remaining balance first.

"Once the new house is finished, put Helen's name on the ownership records. That way, she can get at least three more apartments."

Alex asked, "What about Mom?"

David laughed. "Give her one of the smaller apartments. She's been with me for more than twenty years. Do you think she's going to walk away from me?"

Alex was quiet for a moment. "Don't bother giving her the small one. She's getting old. Does it really matter where she lives?"

Helen spoke up softly, "Isn't this a bit unfair to Laura?"

Alex said, "Mom, don't feel sorry for her. When the apartments are ready, I'll have you move into the biggest one."

I turned off the recording on my phone.

He was my son, and for the first time, he called another woman "Mom".

I didn't cry. I picked up the phone and called my lawyer. "No more delay for the divorce papers. Draw them up now."