My sister-in-law, Esmerelda Black, hates that her mother, Ruth Jennings, favors me. To make things worse, she has the ability to hear Ruth's thoughts. And she uses that gift against me.

When I tell Ruth to have more vegetables to stay healthy, Esmerelda says, "Clara is such a cheapskate not to buy you meat. She doesn't ask her own mom to eat more vegetables."

When I encourage Ruth to exercise more to build strength, she says, "Mom, you're already old. You should be taking it easy. Clara wants you to work yourself to death."

Slowly, Ruth grows to hate me.

In the end, Esmerelda acquires the family business, seizes the fortune, and trafficks me to North Maldia to die.

However, when I open my eyes again, I have her gift too—I can also hear Ruth's thoughts.

"Are you trying to starve me just to save a little money? Are you hoping I'll die so you can inherit my inheritance and spend it however you want?"

My mother-in-law, Ruth Jennings, roared at me with tears brimming in her eyes.

At the sight of the half-eaten greasy dishes on the table, my chest tightened with anger.

I was about to remind her of her high blood pressure when my sister-in-law, Esmerelda Black, suddenly stepped in front of me. She explained, "I know you don't want me to treat Mom to a nice meal. She's my mother, though.

"Clara, you're just her daughter-in-law, so you won't understand how much it hurts to see Mom go hungry."

Ruth shot me a glare. "Since you hate me so much, go back to your own family. I'd still like to live a few more years!"

'Even if I told Clara that I came to accompany Esmerelda that day and hadn't taken a single bite of the unhealthy food, she'd never believe me. I wasn't her real mother, so she always took things out on me without even knowing the truth.'

I froze, watching as Ruth packed up her things. Her mouth never moved, but I heard her words clearly.

That was when I realized what was really going on that day.

...

That day was Ruth's 70th birthday. I had recorded a video of birthday wishes from her loved ones, invited her old friends over, cooked a table full of food, and even made a birthday cake. I'd also told Esmerelda in advance, hoping to give Ruth a surprise.

Instead, Esmerelda said she wanted company. She called Ruth over, and stood me and Ruth's friends up on purpose. Then, at her place, she ordered a bunch of unhealthy food, and urged Ruth to eat.

Ruth had passed out several times in the past due to high blood pressure, and the doctor had warned her to avoid salty and oily food. However, Esmerelda had ignored the warnings.

She even switched off Ruth's phone so I couldn't find them. I searched all day, and left with no choice, I finally called the police. That was how I tracked them down.

I had always treated Ruth like my own mother. I was only strict with her because I cared about her. However, when I lost my temper in public and scolded her, it humiliated her. After that, she stopped coming around for months.

From then on, Ruth didn't actually kick me out but grew more hostile toward me. Whenever we had a little disagreement, she'd paint me as selfish, cruel, and eager for her inheritance.

On top of that, she continued feasting on rich, greasy food every day until she had a stroke and couldn't be saved.

And me? The day after Ruth died, Esmerelda sold me off to North Maldia, where I was tortured to death.

Only while I was on my deathbed did Esmerelda proudly tell me that she could hear Ruth's inner thoughts. That was when I realized there had been such a huge misunderstanding between Ruth and me.

After my husband, Ethan, died on duty, I refused to remarry and insisted on having our posthumous child. Deeply moved by this, Ruth gave me their family heirloom bracelet, put me in charge of the family business, and repeatedly promised that I would inherit most of the assets after she died.

I also felt for Ruth, losing her son so late in life. I cared for her, attending to her meals, daily needs, and rest. Sometimes, I was even a little strict with her.

I thought she knew I was doing it for her good. I didn't know she had long grown resentful of my rules.

On top of that, Esmerelda was always whispering in Ruth's ear, pretending to stand up for her, but actually twisting my good intentions. She fed Ruth lies, making me look like the bad guy.

She would inherit everything once Ruth fully despised me. For money, Esmerelda would even scheme against her own mother without hesitation. What a "good" daughter she was.

I came back to my senses and looked coldly at Esmerelda. If I had another chance, I would tear that fake smile off her face with my own hands.

Ruth, impatient, snapped, "Why are you still here? Are you still trying to cause trouble with Esme? Don't cross the line!"

I sighed helplessly.

Ruth was good in many ways, but she was too soft-hearted. Like a child, she always needed someone to coax her. If not for that, she wouldn't have been so easily fooled by Esmerelda and lost her life because of it…

I steadied my emotions and walked over, taking the purse from Ruth's hand. "You know you have high blood pressure, and you're supposed to keep your diet light. Today's your birthday. I had so many surprises planned for you.

"Even if I've done something wrong, you have to tell me, so I can change. You just left without a word, ignoring my calls and texts. Did you not think I'd be worried sick?"

It was the first time I'd ever spoken to Ruth like this. Her eyes widened in surprise, her expression conflicted.

As she was about to speak, Esmerelda cut in. "Clara, don't blame Mom. I told her I hated eating alone, so she came to keep me company. She didn't even take a single bite."

I nodded. "Is that so? Then, why didn't you just tell me that earlier?"

Esmerelda was at a loss for words.

"We're a family," I reminded her with a smile. "And with how easy it is to stay in touch these days, you can just talk to me directly next time."

If we had been better at communicating in the past, things might not have ended so tragically.

Ruth looked embarrassed. "I know. I just…"

"Just wanted to challenge you" was probably the sentence she couldn't finish.

Losing her husband and son one after another had shattered her. And though Esmerelda had finally come back from studying abroad, it had only been a few months.

Ruth had put everything onto me, which was why she had doubts. She was terrified I might leave her too…

My own mother had been like that before she passed. Perhaps that was why I cared so much about Ruth, because I wanted to make up for past regrets.

Okay, maybe I overdid it…

I took Ruth's hand. "Come on. Let's go home and see the cake I made for you."

Her eyes lit up immediately.

"You can only have a little piece, though," I quickly added. I saw her shoulders slump in disappointment. "To make up for that, you can skip tomorrow morning's workout. But in the afternoon, I'm taking you somewhere."

Ruth lifted her head, eyes shining. Seemingly in disbelief, she asked, "Really?"

I nodded with a smile.

Ruth hated early morning workouts more than anything. The moment she heard it was canceled, her eyes lit up.

…

However, later that night, I heard her thoughts clearly. "Maybe I should cancel. Clara doesn't like it when I go out with Mary."

That so-called "friend" always dragged Ruth to play cards, eat, and drink sinfully. Ruth would come home with empty pockets or collapse and get sent to the hospital.

As I was thinking it over, Esmerelda's voice rang out. "Mom, aren't you going shopping with Mrs. Prichett tomorrow? Why aren't you in bed yet?"

She had heard Ruth's thoughts and was trying to push her.

Ruth hesitated. "But Clara said she had plans for me tomorrow…"

"Your birthday is already over. Whatever she has planned, it can't be that important. Her heart's in the right place, but she's too controlling. You're not a child. You're allowed to have friends."

Esmerelda continued, "You and Clara are probably always arguing because of the generational gap. I'm closer to her age. I'll explain it to her."

Right then, Ruth's inner voice flickered again. 'But I had such a nice talk with Clara today. Is there really a generational gap? Or does she see something wrong with Mary that I don't?'

Ruth still trusted me.

The reason I wanted Ruth to come out with me was to see a cardiac surgeon.

Her high blood pressure had already led to complications—a heart attack. Only a complex bypass surgery could effectively relieve her symptoms.

It had taken me a lot of effort to secure an appointment with this doctor, who had a flawless surgical record. I had even told Esmerelda about it, telling her not to let Ruth get into any nonsense these few days.

Yet, Esmerelda urged Ruth, "Mrs. Prichett asked me yesterday if Clara was mistreating you. No matter how I explained, she wouldn't believe me. She even said if this goes on, you'll be driven to your death!

"With how nosy she is, she might even call the police on Clara. Why not just go this time and clear things up for Clara?"

I heard Ruth say inwardly, 'Clara's such a good daughter-in-law. How can the police take her away? I'll just go this time, then. When I come back, I'll apologize to Clara.'

A moment later, Ruth looked regretful. "Maybe I should tell Clara. She'll be worried…"

"No need!" Esmerelda quickly stopped her. "Clara has been busy apologizing to relatives all day for leaving them hanging. She's been on the phone for hours, lost her voice, took medicine, and fell asleep.

"She probably can't take you out anyway. Let her rest. When she wakes up, I'll explain everything."

Esmerelda wouldn't give up, and Ruth finally gave in.

When I came back out, the living room was empty except for Esmerelda lying on the couch with a face mask on. She said, "Mom told Mrs. Prichett that she's seen enough of you lately. She hardly gets to see Mrs. Prichett, so she went out with her."

She frowned and continued, "I told her to let you know, but she snapped at me, saying that she's not a child who needs permission to see her own friends. She even scolded me for siding with you instead of her."

Upon hearing this, my expression darkened instantly.

At this, Esmerelda's lips curled in satisfaction. "She said you preach communication, but you're still too controlling, and that talking to you is like talking to a wall. She said she'd rather enjoy her life and die than be starved and worked to death by you!"

Her voice dropped lower, but her words grew sharper. "She even said your strong-willed character is what killed your own mother. And it's probably what drove Ethan to death too…"

In my past life, it was these words that pushed me to pack up my things and return to my mother's house. When Ruth fell ill and ended up in the hospital, I let my temper slip and said things I didn't mean.

Each time Ruth softened up and tried to explain, she was cut off. In the end, we were only harsh with each other, and our relationship grew strained…

After hearing what Esmerelda said, I still stormed out. However, this time, I followed Ruth instead.

I watched as she defended me to Mary, and how she kept my warnings in mind, refusing every temptation of unhealthy food, no matter how much Mary urged her. I even watched how she learned from me, advising Mary to take care of her health and stop being reckless.

By evening, Ruth came home. I followed behind, carrying some of her favorite fruit.

She was just about to unlock the door when Esmerelda dragged her inside first. I didn't rush in. I wanted to hear the act Esmerelda would put on.

"Mom, Clara is furious…"

Ruth sounded anxious. "Didn't you explain on my behalf?"

"I did, but she wouldn't listen. She said you've lost your mind, and she won't bother with you anymore…"

Ruth instantly grew mad. "Don't worry. Go to your room. I'll talk to her again."

"Forget it!" she snapped, plopping onto the couch. "If she doesn't care about me, then fine. She's being completely unreasonable. I was doing it for her own good!"

I hurriedly stepped in, held up the bag of fruit, and said, "I just went out to buy these. Who said I didn't care about you?"

Then, I shot Esmerelda a cold glare. "And tell me, why did Mom leave without me? You didn't explain a thing to her, did you?"

Ruth spun around abruptly, staring at Esmerelda in disbelief. "You told me it wasn't anything important!"