“Grandma, you won’t get used to a fancy hotel like this. You might even dirty their rooms. You should stay at a small motel instead.”

My son Ethan Parker’s words instantly ignited the fury I had been suppressing for so long.

At that moment, I wanted to strangle him!

How could anyone say such a thing?

But I held back.

I only had twenty-four hours left.

I couldn’t waste my time on rage.

I just wanted to spend what little time I had left showing my mother the love she deserved.

When Emily actually began booking the motel, I grabbed her phone out of her hand.

“What are you doing?” she snapped, glaring at me.

“This trip is for the whole family. She’s my mom. How can we stay in a hotel and send her off to a cheap motel?”

“She can’t stay in the same room as us. Getting her her own room here is too expensive. A motel is much more affordable.”

“Fine. Then you and Ethan go stay at the motel. I’ll stay here with my mom.”

I had no interest in debating further.

Taking Mom by the hand, I walked straight to the front desk.

“Dad, I don’t want to stay in a lousy motel. I want the big hotel.”

“I know, I know,” Emily said to Ethan. “Your dad’s lost his mind. Bringing your grandma along on our trip—wasting money and being an eyesore.”

“Yeah, she should’ve stayed home.”

“What can I do? Your dad insisted.”

With no choice, Emily brought Ethan to stand by me.

I glanced at them but said nothing.

Once check-in was done, we rode the elevator to the 28th floor.

I had booked a luxury suite.

The enormous floor-to-ceiling windows offered a sweeping view of all Denver.

“Daniel, how much does this room cost per night?” Mom asked, awestruck by the suite’s grandeur.

There wasn’t a trace of joy on her face—only pain.

Because she knew it couldn’t be cheap.

“Mom, not much. Holiday discounts. Don’t worry about it. Just enjoy yourself.”

No sooner had I spoken than Emily pulled Ethan toward the master bedroom.

“Hold on,” I said.

She turned back. “What?”

“That’s Mom’s room.”

“What did you say?” Emily looked at me in disbelief.

“We’ll take the guest room. Mom gets the master.”

“Why should we take the smaller one?”

“Because I said so.”

“Daniel, what’s wrong with you today? Why are you picking fights with me?”

Faced with Emily’s angry glare, Mom quickly tried to defuse it.

“I can sleep anywhere. Even the sofa looks comfortable enough.”

“Mom, you’re taking the master bedroom.”

Without another word, I led Mom toward the room.

Emily blocked me.

“What do you mean? Explain yourself.”

“I just want Mom to be comfortable and happy on this trip.”

“You only care about your mom’s feelings. What about mine? What about Ethan’s?”

I ignored her.

Emily stomped her feet in frustration.

“Mom, take a rest. Later, we’ll go out for steak.”

“Daniel, is something going on?”

“Mom, I just want you to enjoy this trip.”

Then I pulled Emily aside.

“I don’t want Mom upset on this trip. As long as you cooperate, once we get back, I’ll not only buy Jason Collins a car—I’ll hand over the rest of the money to you, completely under your control.”

Hearing that, Emily’s frown disappeared, her eyes lighting up.

“Really?” she asked, staring at me.

“When have I ever lied to you?”

“Fine. I’ll do what you say.”

Half an hour later, I took them to the most famous high-end steakhouse in Denver, where the average bill was thousands per person.

Mom had never eaten at a Western restaurant, never had steak.

I remembered her once saying she wanted to try it.

“Daniel, this place… it must be expensive,” Mom whispered, glancing around nervously.

“It’s not. Just fifty-eight dollars a person.”

“Dad, don’t lie. I looked it up online—the minimum is $1,988.” Ethan interjected.

“What? That much? Then I won’t eat here…” Mom stood up, panicked.

I shot Ethan a furious glare and gently guided Mom back into her seat.

“Mom, it’s rare for us to travel. Eating something good is what you deserve. You raised me all these years, and I’ve never properly shown you my gratitude. Sit down and enjoy—it won’t cost much.”

“Daniel, I know you have a good heart. But it’s too expensive. Why don’t you all eat here, and I’ll just find a noodle shop downstairs?”

“She’s right,” Emily muttered. “This fancy steak is wasted on her. Noodles suit her better.”

“Enough,” I snapped, frowning.

Emily opened her mouth again, but then remembered the promise I had made.

She knew better than to push me now.

The steaks and wine arrived soon after.

Mom awkwardly held the knife and fork, clearly unsure what to do.

Smiling, I showed her how to use them.

When she still struggled, I simply cut the steak into small pieces for her.

She ate two bites.

Then, hearing Ethan say he wasn’t full, she set aside her own steak for him.

But Ethan suddenly exploded.

He swept all the beef she’d put onto his plate onto the floor.

“You ate from it already! You think I’d eat your leftovers? Disgusting!”

“Sweetheart, I hadn’t touched those pieces—”

“If it was on your plate, then it’s dirty!”

Mom’s eyes reddened with tears of humiliation.

She bent down, trying to pick the beef up.

I stopped her.

Then, with a sharp crack, I slapped Ethan across the face.

The sound echoed.

Ethan froze, eyes wide in shock.

Emily, too, was stunned.

“Ethan Parker, I raised you to respect your grandmother. Did you ignore everything I taught you?”

“Dad, I’m not wrong! Eating her leftovers could spread germs! I could get sick!”

Tears streamed down Ethan’s cheeks as he glared at me defiantly.

“It was my fault. I wasn’t careful,” Mom quickly interjected, trying to ease the tension.

“Take your son back to the hotel,” I told Emily.

“Come on, Ethan. Let’s go,” she muttered.

Emily didn’t want to push me too far.

She was still waiting for me to hand over the money.

When they were gone, I gently took Mom’s hand.

Fighting back tears, I said, “Mom, I’m sorry. I’ve failed you. I haven’t raised him right.”

“Silly boy, I don’t blame you. I only feel sorry for you. You work so hard every day. Where do you find the time to teach him properly? And me—I have so little education. Even if I wanted to teach him, I wouldn’t know how.”

Mom gave a bitter smile.