Chapter 2

Chloe’s look of raw hatred made me stiffen, but thankfully, the call ended.

Over the years, as she got married and had a baby, my terrible reputation spread to all our relatives.

Relatives on both sides talked behind my back.

They said I was unreasonable, treating my daughter like a cash cow. Polite to my face, they trashed me the second I walked away.

The day Chloe’s water broke, she called me, crying, "Mom..."

I snapped at her coldly:

"Call, call, call, that's all you know how to do! Can I give birth for you?"

In the background, cards shuffled loudly.

"Full house! Pay up, pay up!"

My voice sounded cheerful, utterly unbothered by her agony, and I even asked if she could wire me some money.

Chloe sobbed softly on the other end.

Logan and his parents urged her to stop bothering with me, which only made her wail harder:

"Mom, please, won't you just come see me?"

"Get lost! I didn't knock you up. Have some shame."

Faced with such coldness, Chloe finally gave up on me.

Drained of money by me for decades, she never had an easy life.

Did she hate me? I didn't know.

But I raised her through hardships. Wasn't it natural for a daughter to provide for her mother’s retirement?

What was wrong with that?

Composing myself, I headed to the hospital.

I had taken on another part-time gig during the day, rushing to the bank before closing to wire money into a specific account.

I had been doing this for thirty years.

Even the bank teller recognized me.

"You have such a kind heart, ma'am. Wiring money to this account every single month. That sponsored kid must be so blessed."

I sighed, thanking her while secretly resenting my daughter.

Why couldn't Chloe just understand?

After that, I went to Chloe's house.

Holding the fresh DNA test report, I said coldly:

"When are you giving me this month’s support?"

Her house was lively. A Christmas tree stood in the yard, and festive holiday gift boxes were neatly arranged.

Yet Chloe and Logan looked like ants on a hot pan.

Chloe was rushing out the door holding her baby. The child looked terribly sick.

Seeing me, they both froze.

Chloe hurried over, pleading in a low voice:

"Mom, money is really tight right now. Please don't make a scene. I'll pay you in a few days."

Logan's mother immediately chimed in with sarcasm, "Wow, the audacity! You haven't helped with a single penny, but you sure show up on time to collect your handout!"

Logan's father joined in, adding fuel to the fire. "Shameless to the extreme."

The people gathered around—apparently Chloe’s friends—whispered among themselves:

"Chloe’s mom treats her like an ATM. How does someone like that even deserve to be a mother?"

My face hardened. "A daughter supporting her mother is the law of nature!"

Logan's mother tugged Chloe’s sleeve, whispering loudly:

"Cut ties with this vampire already!"

Chloe glanced at me, then down at her baby, who was burning with a high fever. Gritting her teeth, she dropped to her knees in front of everyone.

"Mom! I'm begging you! It’s not that I don't want to give you the money, but my baby is really sick..."

Logan pulled her up anxiously. "Stop talking, Chloe! Our son's life is on the line!"

Choking back tears, the two rushed off to the hospital.

As the onlookers pointed and gossiped, I followed them closely.

Not to help, but to demand my debt.

"Chloe, I raised you, so you owe me retirement support! Three hundred dollars! Pay up!"