A smug smile spread across Natalie’s face. "What’s the point of showing off in front of us at your age? Haven’t you thought about what’ll happen when you’re too old to move? If you keep treating us this way, don’t be surprised when karma catches up with you. If I were you, I’d just apologize and be done with it."

I couldn’t hear anything else she said after that. When John slapped me, my heart sank.

My face stung, but the ache in my chest was even worse.

“All right, I'll go,” I muttered. “I’m leaving right now.”

I turned and walked toward the bedroom, or rather, the small storage room under the stairs.

This villa had many rooms, but none were ever meant for me.

My grandson had a study room, and Natalie turned a bedroom into a yoga studio with a calming atmosphere.

Moreover, Portia had her own room, and while Natalie’s sister rarely stayed over, a room was set aside for her that was never used.

Natalie's relatives also had rooms, and the only space left for me was a small, empty storage room.

It didn’t even have much to clear out.

I hadn’t bought myself a single new piece of clothing in years, so packing everything I owned didn’t take long.

As I folded my clothes, memories of my brother-in-law’s advice from years ago flooded my mind. I couldn’t help but wish I could slap myself across the face.

I’m an only child, and when my parents’ old house was demolished, Natalie suggested we use the money to buy a villa.

Daniel's brother, Leroy, said it was fine, but the property deed should be in my name.

At the time, I thought it would be easier to avoid conflict between Natalie and John over ownership, since I only had one son. So, I agreed to put both of their names on the deed.

Looking back now, I could only blame myself.

I glanced around the tiny storage room, already preparing to leave, when John walked in.

"Mom," he began, his tone measured, "with everyone watching just now, it wouldn’t have been right for me to stand by. I know you’re innocent, but as an elder, you should have been more patient."

He hesitated, then added, "Besides, Tommy is your grandson. Apologizing won’t cost you anything."

When John, knowing full well I’d been wronged, still spoke to me with that righteous tone, I was too exhausted to argue.

But he wasn’t done and continued, "Also, I just spoke to Natalie. She’s not as angry now. She said that as long as you apologize to Tommy and her, you can stay in the house."

“Get out of my way,” I said coldly, staring straight at him.

"Mom, I spoke on your behalf," he said, sounding almost impatient. "Natalie’s given you a chance to apologize. Come on, it’s New Year’s Eve. Don’t make things worse than they already are. Everyone’s waiting for dinner. What kind of person leaves dinner half-cooked?

When I didn’t respond, he pushed further. "You’re the elder here. Can’t you be a little more forgiving? Are you really happy now that such a small thing has caused all this trouble?”

I couldn’t believe my ears.

"Small thing?" I echoed, my voice rising. "You two accused me of something I didn’t do, and you hit me. How is that small? John, listen carefully. From now on, I don’t have a son like you.”

John’s face hardened.

“You said that yourself,” he stated flatly. “I’ve recorded it and am sending it in the family group chat now."

I saw the triumph flicker in his eyes. He’d come for this: to make me say it so he could cut me off, scared that one day I might expect them to care for me. He had become exactly what I feared.

Sure enough, John sent the recording in the family group chat.

He only included the part where I said, "John, listen carefully. From now on, I have no son like you."

Then he added his own message:

"Uncles, aunts, and great-aunts, today my mom hit Tommy just because she didn’t want to cook the New Year’s Eve dinner. I only complained, and now she’s cutting ties with me. Over the years, Natalie and I have been patient, but I can’t take it anymore. Please be our witnesses. Today, I’m severing my relationship with my mother."

"From now on, she doesn't have to worry whether I live or die. Her life and death have nothing to do with me anymore."

My son sent this message in the family group chat on Daniel's side of the family, which included his brothers, sisters, nieces, and nephews.

John had completely shut down any chance of reconciliation. Not only was he siding with Natalie’s family to push me out, but now he was also trying to get his side of the family to exclude me.

After sending the voice message, John turned to me, his face cold and unreadable.

"I gave you a chance earlier. Now, just leave. I’m not going to see you off. You think I can’t have New Year’s dinner without you? Fine. From now on, don’t bother cooking again."

His words hit me, but oddly, I felt a strange calmness settle in. Maybe it was because I had become numb. I didn’t say a word and just walked toward the door.

As I opened it, I heard my grandson’s voice from the other side.

"Yay! Monster Grandma is finally leaving! Granny Portia, now you can stay here and not have her bother you anymore!"

Natalie, seeing me glance back, scoffed. "What are you looking at? Didn’t John slap you into reality just now? Is Tommy wrong? Old witch, you’re just a nuisance."

I gripped the doorknob tightly and took a deep breath. I had intended to leave quietly, without another word. But in that moment, something inside me hardened.

If John can be so ungrateful, then fine, I will take back everything we have ever given them.

I stepped out of the villa complex. The street was eerily quiet. It was already hard to get a cab here, and on New Year’s Eve, it was even worse.

Nearby, fireworks lit up the sky, but none of them were for me.

For a moment, I missed my husband.

The tears I had stopped earlier started flowing again. He had passed away too soon. I raised our child alone, and I had hoped to relax after retirement, finally. But instead, I found myself pulled back into the role of a free nanny.

Being driven out of their home almost felt like a release.

At least I could finally live for myself.

So what if I was sixty?

The thought steadied me, and the tears stopped.

Unable to get a cab, I had no idea where to go, so I figured I’d find a hotel to stay in for the night.

Just as I took a few steps, several cars pulled up beside me.

My husband's brother, my oldest brother-in-law, my husband's sisters, my sisters-in-law, and even the nieces and nephews all showed up—the whole family was there.

Janet, my sister-in-law, immediately noticed the red handprint on my face, her expression darkening.

“Who hit you?” she demanded.