After my ex-husband, Erik Bates, betrayed me by cheating, I made the difficult decision to forego a significant settlement in order to fight for custody of our son, Ashton Bates. I didn't want Ashton to refer to the mistress as his mother.

I spent almost all my energy on Ashton, even working two jobs every day to pay the high tuition fees.

Being aware of the potential psychological trauma that children may experience due to their parents' divorce, I made a concerted effort to compensate for it by providing double the love, care, and support to my child.

However, after Ashton was admitted to a prestigious university, he began attributing all of his misfortunes to me. He even went so far as to change his surname back to Erik's.

Later, I saw the wedding invitation posted by Ashton on social media.

In a photo, he was captured embracing the niece of Erik's mistress, wearing a tender smile. The caption beneath the image read, "Fate has brought us together."

Standing alongside her was Erik, my ex-husband, and his mistress, Kayla Moore. Both of them wore radiant smiles.

To my utter heartbreak, Ashton sold all my property for the wedding with Kayla's niece. As a result, I couldn't gather enough funds for my father's surgery, leading to his death.

As I opened my eyes, I was back to when Ashton was six years old.

——

As I opened my eyes once more, I found myself standing in the police department.

Next to me, I heard the voice of my mother-in-law, Lamia, complaining, "I repeatedly told you not to leave Ashton to me. I go hiking every day, and I'm very busy.

"You are Ashton's mom, so of course, you should take good care of him.

"I worked so hard to raise Erik. Do I have to take care of your son for you?"

In my previous life, I would lower my head and silently endure Lamia's scolding without uttering a single word.

Due to Erik and I being occupied with work and lacking the time to care for Ashton, we had no choice but to rely on his grandmother, Lamia, to look after him.

As Ashton was already attending preschool at that time, I didn't need to worry too much. To ensure Lamia had everything she needed, I diligently prepared a variety of vegetables, meat, and fruits in the refrigerator. Additionally, I stocked the cupboard with snacks for her convenience.

Lamia's only responsibility was to pick up Ashton from home and drop him off at school.

I even gave her a considerable amount of pocket money every month.

However, she still left Ashton alone at home. It became apparent that her own grandson was not even as important to her as the new man she had met during her hiking.

Finally, when she left Ashton unattended to hang out again, Ashton was lost.

Lamia didn't return until late at night when I finished work. As I arrived home, I discovered that Ashton was nowhere to be found. Frantically, I rushed to the park and saw Lamia leaning affectionately against an old man, with his hand wrapped around her waist.

For four hours, from four in the afternoon until eight in the evening, Lamia didn't notice that Ashton was missing.

Suppressing my anger, I searched the park but to no avail. With no other options left, I went to the police department to report Ashton's disappearance.

While chatting with her friend on her phone, Lamia was berating me, criticizing me about how incompetent I was as a mother.

I remained silent, absorbing the whispers of those around me and inwardly berating myself for not spending enough time with Ashton and failing to fulfill my duties as a mother.

Fortunately, a kind-hearted person later sent Ashton to the police department. I learned that Ashton had seen a woman in the park whose silhouette resembled mine from behind. Believing it was me, he chased after her for a long time, eventually losing his way. Thankfully, a kind person found him and took him to the police department.

His clothes were torn from the wrestling, and his knees were bleeding. When he threw himself into my arms with tears on his face, I felt my heart break.

No mother in the world could bear to see her child go through such suffering. I might have been unable to see him again.

That night, Erik and I lay in bed for a long time, unable to sleep.

After a long while, he hugged me from behind and said carefully, "My mother is really not suitable for taking care of children. Ashton is still so young, and he needs someone who can properly take care of him.

"My superior has been appreciating my efforts recently, and I will probably be promoted soon. Would you be willing to stay at home and take care of Ashton?

"I can't bear to see you suffer."

I gave up the opportunity for promotion, willingly transferring from the design department to the more relaxed logistics department to spend more time with Ashton.

After Ashton went to junior high school, I quit my job and devoted myself to taking care of him at home.

I didn't ask Ashton to be grateful for my sacrifice, and I just wanted him to grow up happily.

Later, I used evidence of Erik's infidelity as a threat and forced him to give up custody of Ashton. I was afraid Erik would neglect Ashton after remarrying. I could not bear the thought of Ashton growing up under the influence of someone who had betrayed our family, and I wouldn't allow Ashton to refer to the mistress as his mother.

Sadly, the child whom I raised with almost all my efforts stole all the surgery money I raised from selling the house and vanished after my father fell ill and was hospitalized.

Later, I saw the wedding video posted by one of Ashton's friends on social media.

Ashton changed back to Erik's surname and used all of my property for an extravagant wedding. He married the niece of the mistress in a grand ceremony.

Erik and Kayla, the mistress, sat at the center, wearing gentle expressions on their faces. Ashton held Erik's hand as if they were a real family.

On that winter day, as Ashton kissed his bride, my father passed away suddenly because I could not afford the hospital bills.

I ran to their house and wanted to confront Ashton about why he treated me like this. However, he grabbed me by the collar and kicked me out.

He harshly retorted, "I will always be my father's son. If you hadn't insisted on supporting me, how could I have endured such poverty throughout high school and college? How could I have been looked down upon by others?

"It is your laziness that has destroyed this family. I am a man as well, and from my father's perspective, I don't wish to be tied to a parasite like you who remains idle at home all day.

"Consider this money as compensation for the years of mental loss I have endured. You should be grateful that I have found a good stepmother and a loving wife."

Lamia's relentless scolding brought me back to reality.

Seeing more and more people gathered around, I suddenly stood up, grabbed her fancy scarf, and snapped, "I'm not a competent mother? I give you 5,000 dollars a month to take care of Ashton, but why don't you tell everyone how you take care of your grandson? You ended up in an old man's arms!

"Ashton has been sick three times this month, and I have been the only one taking care of him each time. Where were you and his 'competent' father?"

Seeing that she couldn't break free, Lamia began to cry at the top of her lungs, complaining how miserable her life was.

I snatched her phone, opened WhatsApp, and exclaimed, "You have a miserable life? You are admired by so many old men, yet you dare to say that?

"Lamia, I have to say that you are still as charming as ever. There are at least five men in this chat list. You caused the death of your husband back then, and now you lost your grandson.

"It is a great misfortune for the Bates family to have a woman like you."

The onlookers burst into laughter. Seeing that the situation was against her, Lamia grabbed the phone and ran out.

After the crowd gradually dispersed, I sat in my seat with mixed feelings.

A female police officer saw that I was in low spirits and came over to comfort me. "It's okay. There is surveillance, and we will definitely find your son."

I forced a smile and nodded vigorously.

Actually, I was not worried about Ashton.

The tragic experience of my previous life was still surfacing before my eyes. I just didn't understand what I had done wrong.

Before I could come to my senses, a voice crying out "Mom" suddenly echoed through the hall.

I raised my gaze and was met with the sight of a tearful and distressed six-year-old Ashton standing at the entrance of the police department. The grievance in his eyes was in stark contrast to the resentful expression he once wore as he tugged at my clothes and uttered hurtful words in my previous life.

Even though I was extremely disappointed in him, I couldn't help but feel sad.

After all, it was my child, the child I had given birth to.

I sighed heavily and pulled him into my arms.

If he were given another chance, perhaps he wouldn't make the same mistake.

It was nearly 11 o'clock when we got home. On the way, I was comforting Ashton, who was still sobbing while my phone kept ringing, but I turned it off.

As I entered the room, I saw Erik sitting on the couch, wearing a frown upon his face. Lamia sat by his side, exuding a domineering aura as she cast provocative glances in my direction.

Ashton threw himself into Erik's arms, shouting "Dad."

Erik forced a smile, comforted Ashton in her arms, then turned his head and asked me in a low voice, "Claire, what did you say to my mom?"

I sneered in response, not directly answering him.

I pulled out a chair and took a seat, saying, "For three whole hours, from eight to eleven, you showed no concern for Ashton being lost and found. Instead, you chose to blame me?"

Seeing my stern attitude, Erik said with a sullen face, "Claire, let's focus on the facts. Have you been disrespectful toward my mom?"

I sneered. "Focus on the facts? Fine. Then tell me, was it your mom who lost Ashton first and then flirted with older men?"

Erik's face changed instantly. Before he could speak, I pulled Ashton out of his arms, took him to the room, changed him into pajamas, and put him to bed.

I could hear Lamia yelling from the living room. I closed the door, picked up a storybook on the bedside table, and started reading.

Ashton leaned against me and whispered, "Mom, did you have a fight with Dad and Grandma?"

Rather than answering his question, I gently caressed his head and asked, "Do you like your grandma?"

Ashton shook his head cautiously. I said, "How about I hire a nanny to take care of you? Then you can eat whatever you want every day."

Ashton nodded, then gradually fell asleep.

When I came out of Ashton's room, Erik was standing on the balcony. I ignored him and turned into the bedroom.

He rushed over, grabbed my hand, and said, "Honey, don't be angry. I have asked my mom to go back.

"It was my fault today. I lost my temper. I was just too worried about Ashton."

I shook his hand off angrily. If I weren't waiting for an opportunity to ruin his reputation, I would have divorced him.

He took a deep breath and said in a hoarse voice, "Honey, it has not been easy for us along the way, and we should cherish what we have."

I turned to look at him, but the dim lighting inside the house obscured his features, leaving only a hazy outline visible to me.

Both of us came from a humble village background, relying on our hard work throughout our school years. We were fortunate enough to be admitted to a good college, which paved the way for decent job opportunities in the bustling city. Through years of dedication and perseverance, we managed to establish ourselves and find stability in our careers.

Erik and I fell in love in college. As we faced financial hardships immediately after graduation, we felt too embarrassed to ask our families for money. We resided in the most economical rental house available to us at that time.

He held my hand with sincerity and said, "Honey, I know how hard for you to be with me."

However, despite that, he still cheated on me and divorced me.

I paused, then still walked to the bed and lay down.

Erik sat by the bed in silence for a long time, then hesitantly said, "Honey, can you stay home and take care of Ashton? Ashton is our son, after all.

"How can you bear to leave him alone at home at such a young age? Think about his studies and his daily life."

I replied calmly, "Starting tomorrow, I will hire a nanny to take care of Ashton."

Upon hearing my words, Erik stood up suddenly and looked down at me.

With a hint of disbelief in his tone, he questioned, "Claire, you can handle the housework easily. Is it necessary to hire a nanny?

"Besides, we are still paying off our mortgage. How can we afford to hire a nanny?"

I looked up at him and chuckled. "I'll use the money we give your mother to hire a nanny."

Erik's expression changed, and he said with dissatisfaction, "How can that be possible? My father died early, and my mother raised me alone. She doesn't have any pension, so as a son, isn't it my duty to give her some living expenses?"

I sat up, fixing my gaze on Erik, and retorted, "Yes, as a son, it is your duty to give her living expenses, but as her daughter-in-law, I have no such obligation.

"You have your mother to look after, and I also have parents.

"Why don't you just use your salary to pay your mother's living expenses?"

Erik was so angry that he disregarded the possibility of waking Ashton up. He yelled, "What are you talking about? It's totally unreasonable! I have to pay the mortgage. How can I have extra money?"

Looking at Erik's gloomy face, I let out a chuckle. "It's your house. Of course, you have to pay the mortgage."

When we were purchasing the house, my parents recognized the challenges of affording a property in a city and insisted on contributing half of the down payment. However, Erik prevented them from doing so.

At that time, Erik spoke with sincerity, expressing his reluctance to allow my parents to use up their retirement savings to assist us in buying a house. His selflessness deeply moved our family, and as a result, my parents even returned all the wedding gifts they had received.

After our marriage, Erik insisted on shouldering the responsibility of paying the mortgage himself, refusing to let me contribute. He said, "I want to rely on myself to provide a stable and secure home for you and our child.

Prior to my resignation, all the family expenses were primarily covered by my salary alone. However, as my savings gradually ran out after leaving my job, I had to ask Erik for money.

Erik displayed reluctance when giving me living expenses each month. He openly expressed the challenges he faced in single-handedly supporting the family and blamed me for spending money lavishly.

However, he didn't know that the costs of water and electricity bills, property fees, and Ashton's daily expenses were significant financial burdens. I even couldn't buy many new clothes throughout the year.

The monthly living expenses provided by Erik were barely sufficient, but thankfully, my parents secretly supported me with additional money.

However, during the divorce proceedings, Erik insisted that he had bought the house alone and argued that I had no right to request a division.

I never expected that the person I shared a bed with would scheme against me. It turned out that all the household expenses I had shouldered and the housework I had performed for over a decade were nothing more than a mockery. In his eyes, I was merely seen as a free nanny.

Well, since he had planned so well, I would settle all the scores in this life.