Chapter 2

In my previous life, my mother had insisted repeatedly that I attend Noah and Mia’s 100-day celebration.

Besides wanting more gift money, she planned to dump Mia on me to raise.

Eleanor had always favored boys. Bethany found two kids too much to handle, and Mark's income was meager. The whole family was causing constant chaos because of those two children.

Ultimately, they decided I should shoulder the burden.

In my past life, I looked at little Mia, abandoned, and couldn't bear it. After all, the child was innocent and so young.

I spent a huge amount of time, energy, and money raising Mia, but I received no gratitude from Mark's family. If anything displeased them, they'd snap sarcastic remarks and criticize me.

When Mia grew up, Bethany spread rumors everywhere, claiming I had no husband or children and had forcibly taken Mia from her.

Over time, Mia developed a grudge against me. When she found out I had substantial savings, she even colluded with Mark and Bethany to harm me.

This time, I would nip that terrible outcome in the bud.

Mia was Mark and Bethany's child. Why should I overstep my boundaries and raise her?

I arrived at Noah and Mia's 100-day celebration as requested.

Bethany took the gift envelope, felt its thinness, and her face fell instantly.

I pretended not to notice and walked directly into the hall, like the other relatives.

From a distance, I saw Bethany pull Mark aside, pointing at the envelope I'd given and muttering furiously.

After hearing Bethany, Mark, furious, went to find Eleanor again.

A moment later, Eleanor stormed over, livid.

"It's your niece and nephew's 100-day celebration, such an important day! How could you be so stingy with your gift?"

Mark and Bethany rushed to agree, chastising me for being cheap.

Other guests gathered around, eager for a show, and began pointing fingers at me.

I snatched the envelope back, tore it open, and counted the bills one by one in front of everyone.

The amount wasn't huge, but it was more than any other guest had given. I loudly asked how much everyone else had contributed.

The guests all looked down, fell silent, and sheepishly dispersed.

I wouldn't be weak and submissive like in my last life. I immediately began to wail loudly, recounting all my years of sacrifice.

How I started working early to support the family, how I lived frugally, tightened my belt, and sent most of my savings home every month.

How I'd paid for Mark's schooling, his job, his wedding, his children – all without him ever mentioning repayment.

I hadn't even finished crying when Eleanor, Mark, and Bethany, all losing face, harshly interrupted me.

They dragged me to a corner, a torrent of complaints pouring out. They accused me of spouting nonsense in front of outsiders and making them a laughingstock.

I straightened up, looking utterly innocent. "Honest to God, every word I said was true, not a single lie!"

The party was full of friends and family, and Eleanor feared a bigger scene would be humiliating, so she had to give up.

Mark and Bethany's eyes burned with venomous hatred, as if they wanted to devour me. I didn't care. I focused on eating, determined to get my money's worth and make up for my loss.

When it was our table's turn for toasts, Bethany casually mentioned, "Auntie, at your age, if you don't find a partner, what will you do when you're older?"

I raised my glass.

"My life is none of your concern, Bethany. I'm healthy, I earn well, I enjoy life, and my future retirement is secure."

I paused, and before Bethany could speak again, I cut her off.

"Noah and Mia are still young. Bethany, you should focus your energy on your children, and don't meddle so much in other people's lives."

Bethany was utterly floored by my words. Her hand, holding the glass, froze in mid-air, and she couldn't utter a word for a long time.

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Mark saw her reaction and quickly interjected, "Ava, at your age, if you're not getting married, you should at least have a child to care for you. How about..."