My daughter-in-law is a money-grubber, and my son is love-struck.

In my previous life, to save my son, I went to great lengths to break them apart.

Little did I expect to be hated by my son, leading to an accident that resulted in my death in a sea of flames!

I woke up again, back on the day of my son and daughter-in-law's wedding.

This time, I chose to stay out of it...

***

"I've said it before, if I don't see the 600,000 engagement gift today, I'm not getting out of the car!

"Chris, we've been together for three years; are you really going to let a little money come between us? Do you not love me anymore?

"Let's just drag this out. Let your family and friends see whether it's me or your family that looks bad!"

My Daughter-in-law Jessica Zacker's voice rang out as she sat in the wedding car, showing no sign of getting out.

I opened my eyes wide suddenly. Is this the day of my son and daughter-in-law's wedding?

Seeing the familiar surroundings, I trembled with excitement.

The pain of being burned by scalding flames before my death was still vivid in my memory.

My only son I raised single-handedly with so much effort.

He actually planned the accident that led to my death in a sea of flames!

Through the security door, I looked at him in despair, my heart aching.

He glared at me from outside, wishing he could tear me to pieces.

"Don't blame me; blame yourself for being so overbearing and driving Jessica away! You even caused the death of her baby!

"My poor child, that was your own grandchild! You're truly evil!

"You always claim it's for my own good but never asked if I wanted to accept it! You're always so selfish! Cold! Heartless!

"No wonder Dad left you! Someone like you doesn't deserve the love of a husband and son!"

I shook my head in tears, my face filled with disbelief.

I couldn't believe that the once warm and lovely son wanted to kill me.

He would rather believe the scheming Jessica than the mother who raised him!

The fire instantly engulfed me, and I rolled in the flames in agony, screaming.

And he just watched coldly, with no trace of guilt in his eyes.

Only when I stopped struggling did he feign panic and call the police.

As the police carried out my body, he crouched in a corner, crying bitterly.

He perfectly disguised my death as an accident and flushed my cremated ashes down the toilet.

Breathing a sigh of relief, he couldn't hide his joy.

"Jessica, she's finally dead! This time, no one can bully you anymore, and no one can stop us from being together!"

Watching my son, who was now awkward and uneasy, I stood coldly to the side.

This time, I definitely wouldn't meddle.

Family and friends had already arrived, and Jessica was making a scene in front of everyone.

Chris Lynn was red-faced with embarrassment, wishing he could disappear into a hole.

Yet, he still patiently tried to comfort Jessica.

"Jessica, didn't we agree on a 300,000 engagement gift? Why has it suddenly changed?

"How can we come up with so much money suddenly? Where are we supposed to get it?

"Get out of the car first; let's complete the wedding ceremony and discuss it further, okay?"

Jessica pushed Chris away with an impatient look.

"300,000 is what I want, and my brother's girlfriend also wants 300,000 to get married. So, it's 600,000 in total. Are you going to watch my brother remain single? How can you be so selfish?

"Looks like my mom was right. Your family will definitely pacify me, get the wedding done first, and then I won't be able to do anything about it.

"Stop talking nonsense. If you don't get the money, don't even think about getting married today!"

"Chris, it's only 300,000. If you really love Jessica, you wouldn't hesitate."

Jessica's mother sneered, indifferent.

"Well, I'll discuss it with my mom..."

Chris sighed, speaking helplessly.

"Always discussing everything with your mom; you're such a mama's boy!

"You can't make any decisions on your own. Look at you; you don't even seem like a man!

"I really don't understand what I saw in you!!"

Jessica shouted loudly, while Chris kept his head down and remained silent.

In my previous life, I had stormed forward angrily, standing in front of Chris and accusing the Zacker family of their shamelessness.

This action caused a deep rift with the Zacker family, leading to their intense hatred towards me.

"If you can't afford a bride, then don't marry. What does your family's bride price have to do with mine? Why should I help you pay for the engagement money?

"My family only has 300,000 for the engagement money, and your daughter-in-law also requires 300,000. If that's the case, let Chris marry your daughter-in-law, and everything will be settled!

"Without a middleman to make a profit, everyone will be happy!"

Mrs. Zacker's face turned red with anger, looking like a shrew scolding in the streets.

"What are you saying!? It's so rude! After Jessica and Chris are married, aren't we all one family?"

"I didn't ask you to help pay for my son's engagement money; I just added 300,000 to Jessica's engagement money.

"How can three years of their relationship be measured with money? What does a mere 300,000 count for?"

I retorted angrily, showing no mercy to them.

"How dare you make such an absurd demand?

"Jessica, you know Chris' salary well. Our family's expenses are all supported by me. How much do you think he has to help your brother?

"Let me make it clear today: the 300,000 engagement money I promised won't be reduced by even a cent. But if you want extra money now, you won't get a single penny.

"If you marry, the wedding will proceed as planned. If not, then go back where you came from. Today's banquet will just be a meal for friends and family.

"Trying to pin me down? You're still too inexperienced!"

Probably seeing my resolute attitude and fearing that the marriage would really be called off, Jessica eventually obediently got off the wedding car and unwillingly completed the ceremony.

I thought my son would be grateful for me rescuing him, but instead, he angrily blamed me for not giving him face!

"Mom, how could you talk to Jessica like that? You embarrassed her in front of so many people!

"Adding to the engagement money was her mother's request, what does it have to do with her? What did she do wrong?

"Jessica blames me for not protecting her, and you made me lose all my face! Jessica was right; you're indeed a wicked mother-in-law!"

I looked at Chris in shock. "Have you lost your mind?

"You're married to Jessica, it's your responsibility to support her! But what does it mean that her entire family relies on you? Paying for her brother's engagement money? They're treating you like a fool!

"If you compromise this time, your future life won't be peaceful!"

Chris was furious. "Mom! I've grown up now. You don't need to interfere in Jessica and my matters anymore!

"You're always so domineering and selfish! Otherwise, my dad wouldn't have abandoned you!"

I raised my hand but couldn't bring myself to slap him.

As expected of my own son, he knew exactly where to hurt the most.

His father had an affair and abandoned both of us.

I thought that when he grew up, he would appreciate the hardships I endured to raise him and understand my difficulties.

But instead, it became a weapon for him to attack me.

I have truly failed as a mother.

"Mom, come here!!" Chris turned around, looking at me for help.

Every time he encountered a problem, he would instinctively wait for me to solve it for him.

Everything seemed to have become a matter of course.

Looking at the awkward Chris in front of me, this time, I didn't step in to help.

Instead, I smiled and slowly walked over.

"Add 300,000 for Jessica's brother's engagement money? As long as Jessica and Chris agree, I have no objections."

The Zacker family looked greedy and delighted.

Chris looked at me in shock, not understanding why I suddenly agreed so readily.

"But... I don't have any money. I've spent all my money on handling your wedding and buying a house for Chris.

"Here's the deal, Jessica. You and Chris discuss it yourselves. All his salary is saved by him; how much he's willing to give to your brother is up to you two! I won't be involved further!"

Under the Zacker family's expectant gaze, Chris awkwardly took out his bank card, admitting it only had 30,000 in it.

Jessica glared at Chris with disdain. "Useless!"

Facing the Zacker family's disdain, Chris awkwardly kept his head down, trying to appease Jessica.

After Chris repeatedly promised to hand over every penny he earned in the future, Jessica finally took the bank card and unwillingly completed the wedding process.

That night, Jessica's scolding filled the room.

"What a loser, saving only 30,000 after more than a year of work!

"What could I possibly gain from being with you? You're such a weakling! You've embarrassed me beyond measure!"

And Chris blamed all the mistakes on me.

"Mom, how can you push all the blame onto me? Aren't you usually so capable? Why didn't you just refuse directly?

"I'll play the bad cop while you play the good cop. Won't that solve the problem?"

I smiled slightly. "Since you're unwilling, you could simply refuse directly."

Chris sighed.

"You know Jessica's temper. If I were to refuse, how would I live with her?

"Mom, I know you have money. You could lend it to her brother, and I'll pay you back later.

"I'm your only son. Isn't what's yours also mine? Am not I going to have to support you when you're old?"

I laughed. Was he going to burn me to ashes?

In the past life, he had also painted many pretty pictures for me.

Using my retirement money to maintain appearances, he bought jewelry and cosmetics for Jessica.

He bought branded bags, clothes, and shoes to please her.

Whenever I said "no," he would play the victim and seek sympathy.

"Mom, since I'm your only son, isn't my money also yours?"

"Mom, when you're old, I will definitely take good care of you."

I mellowed down and took out all my retirement money, leaving myself no way to back out.