After a while, Audrey gave me a video call.

She was smiling as she bragged, “Happy New Year! It’s New Year’s Eve today. What good food are you having?

“Thank you for helping Lydia prepare so many gifts for us. We’re having such a great dinner over here!”

After she said that, she turned the camera around and pointed at the gifts that I had prepared.

I almost burst into tears. Before I could speak, I heard Charlie saying, “Mommy said that it’s a waste if we don’t use her money. After all, she’s staying alone in the countryside. She won’t be using that much money!”

I felt blood drain from my face.

I stared at my phone screen. “Charlie, can you say that again?”

Charlie was about to speak when Lydia covered his mouth with her hand. She grumbled, “Mom! He’s just talking nonsense! It’s the New Year’s! Why are you making everyone unhappy?”

She was blaming me for spoiling the mood.

I stared at her and said, “Why didn’t you think I’d be upset when you secretly switched all the papers in the box to your in-laws?”

A hint of guilt flashed across Lydia’s eyes.

“So what if I choose to spend time with my in-laws? Why are you making a big fuss over it? If you want, I can head home earlier this year.”

After she said that, she ended the call.

She did not even greet me with a “Happy New Year” throughout the entire call.

After the New Year’s break, they came back home.

I was trimming the cat’s nails on the couch. When Ben saw me, he snorted.

“You pretended to be so pissed over the call, but you’re still here waiting for us to return.”

Lydia tossed a plastic bag filled with items to me.

“Audrey is very kind to even prepare some gifts for you!”

I looked at the items on the floor. They were some leftovers of the gifts that I had bought for them.

There were a few boxes of milk, half a bag of nuts, and a half-eaten pack of snacks.

I was extremely angry. I remained quiet on the couch.

Lydia frowned unhappily.

“We purposely came back earlier to spend some time with you. What’s with the attitude?

“If you continue to sulk, we’ll just head back first. You can spend the rest of the time alone!”

I laughed in anger. I could not hold myself back from questioning her.

“Come back earlier? The New Year’s break is almost over!”

Lydia’s expression froze.

Upon seeing that, Ben immediately supported Lydia.

“If you hadn’t thrown a tantrum, we could have spent more time at my parents’ place!

“You just bought some gifts and spent some money. Are you that upset about it? Tell me how much these cost, and I’ll pay you back!”

I sneered when I looked at his confident expression.

“Do you truly intend to pay me back? Your mortgage, car loan, Charlie’s school fees, and household expenses all came from my retirement fund. Can you afford to pay me that?

“I gave my all to you, and what did I get in return? The fairness that you claimed was all fake!”

Lydia’s face was flushed in anger.

“You gave birth to me. Of course, you’re responsible for me! I’m your only child. Who are you going to give your money to, if not me?

“If you want to be so calculative, sure, be my guest!

“If you continue to act like this, don’t expect me to pay you a visit in the future, even if you’re paralyzed or dead!”

After she said that, she took Charlie back to his bedroom.

I stood in the dark living room.

I took my time hatching a plan in my mind.

I needed to get these leeches to pay for what they owed me!

I sat alone in the living room and stared at those so-called gifts. I started to tear up.

I doted on my daughter for half of my life.

Since the day she was born, people around me have tried to persuade me.

“Have another child now while you’re still young, so you’ll have more company when you’re older.”

I was holding her in my arms, and I decided to give all of my love to her.

My husband and I were frugal, and we always prioritized her in everything.

When she got married and wanted to buy a house, we did not hesitate to give her all of our money.

Then, they said they could not afford a car loan. I silently gave her a supplementary card and helped her with their car loan.

Even when she said she wanted to celebrate the New Year’s with her in-laws, I volunteered to prepare gifts on her behalf.

I was the walking source of a hefty retirement fund, and she eyed it for a long time.

From paying her car loan to her daily expenses, she had been using the money from my account.

I never made a sound. She was my only child, so it only made sense for my money to go to her.

However, I did not expect to be taken for granted.

In the past, I tried my best to tolerate it.

However, they finally broke the camel’s back!

She said she would draw lots for fairness, but I would make it fair for her!

As her mother, I had spent every single cent on her, and in return, she had treated me like I was nothing!

It was upsetting.

That night, I looked at my bank transaction notifications for the past month.

[Car loan - 600 dollars]

[Meal at an expensive restaurant - 1500 dollars]

[Caviar - 300 dollars]

[Massage parlor membership card - 1500 dollars]

All her expenses were for her husband or for her mother-in-law.

All these years, she had already grown used to treating me like an ATM to buy gifts for her in-laws.

I turned around and gave the bank a call.

“Please cancel all the auto-debit payments from my retirement account.”

“Madam, we’d need you to come to our branch with your ID.”

“Alright.”

The next morning, I put on my shoes and got ready to head out.

Lydia rubbed her eyes and walked to the living room. She looked sleepy.

“Mom, what’s for breakfast?”

I did not turn around and continued tying my shoelaces.

She seemed to recall the fight we had the day before. She then softened her tone as she used to.

“Alright, Mom. I’ve discussed it with Ben. We’ll bring you along to my in-laws for the next New Year’s celebration.

“Are you happy now? Go, make breakfast for us.”

I sneered and walked out the door.

When the door was shut, I heard her mumbling.

“Isn’t it just a small matter of spending New Year’s? Why is she being so calculative…”

She still felt like it was not a big deal.

She had not realized that it was because of my money that she was cherished by her in-laws.

Very soon, I reached the end of the queue.

After I was done with the procedure, I immediately headed back to the countryside.

The next morning, my phone rang.

Lydia sounded anxious.

“Mom, the gifts that you’re supposed to buy before the New Year’s haven’t arrived yet!

“I need to bring them to my boss!”

I answered her calmly.

“That’s your responsibility. Figure it out yourself.”

After I said that, I immediately ended the call. I blocked and deleted their contacts without any hesitation.

It was like clockwork.

I sat next to the window and let the sun shine on my face. It was beautifully warm.

From my peripheral vision, I saw a pamphlet for a group tour. I immediately signed up.

I had worked so hard all of my life. It was time for me to see the country and its beauty.

After that, I no longer kept in touch with Lydia.

Lydia could not bear it any longer. She repeatedly texted and mentioned me in the family group chat.

[Mom, you’re over 60 years old. Why are you throwing a tantrum like a teenager? Aren’t you embarrassed?

[I only went back to celebrate the New Year’s with my in-laws because Charlie missed his grandparents. Why are you being so calculative?

[After all, I’m married! I have my own family to take care of! How can I stay stuck to you like it was in the past?]

After her waves of accusations, our relatives started jumping up with their opinions.

[Why is your mother acting like this? She’s ruining your peace after something so minor.]

[I bet she has too much free time on her hands, that’s why she’s creating drama. She should just do some community work instead and stop torturing her kid.]

I did not bother explaining myself. Instead, I just left the group chat.

I thought that would be the end of it.

Two days later, before the group tour started, the tour guide, Taylor Lee, texted in the group chat.

[Hello everyone! We’re about to start our journey. Remember to pack your belongings!]

I looked at my worn clothes, and I went out to the mall.

All these years, I had been frugal and channeled my retirement fund to my daughter.

It was about time that I bought myself some new clothes to welcome my new life.

I did not expect to see Audrey when I went into the shop.

She was wearing beautiful fur, and I looked bad in comparison.

I wanted to go to another shop, but Audrey stopped me.

“Don’t go, Lydia’s here too.”

She raised her voice, as if she wanted everyone to hear her.

“I heard that you’ve been ignoring Lydia’s calls over that small incident during the New Year’s?

“It’s not my place to say this, but you shouldn’t be so stingy as a mother. Others would laugh at you.”

Lydia heard us and came over. She looked disgusted when she saw me.

“Mom, you went missing for so many days and suddenly showed up when I’m buying clothes for my mother-in-law.

“Whatever, I’m a fair person. You can choose some clothes for yourself. Don’t embarrass me here.

“But after I buy you new clothes, you should drop that topic.”

I stared at her and spoke clearly.

“If you really know what’s fair, you wouldn’t fake the lots that you were drawing!”

Lydia was embarrassed. She raised her voice.

“Do you really have to harp over that small matter? My in-laws are also by themselves. So what if I spent the New Year’s with them?

“Don’t think just because you spend some money on us, we have to orbit around you!”

She sounded more agitated as she spoke. She pointed her finger at my face.

“If you still insist on being this unreasonable, don’t expect me to take care of you when you get old or sick!”

I looked at her quietly.

“Your husband should be the one taking care of your in-laws. What about you? Did they raise you?”

Lydia still wanted to talk back, but Audrey stopped her. She looked at me.

“Enough. You’ve ruined our mood!

“If you don’t want new clothes, go away. My daughter-in-law is going to buy me some!”

After she said that, she continued to pick out her clothes.

Upon seeing that, Lydia immediately followed her. She glared at me before she left.

“Fine, let’s see how long you can last. Don’t beg me to go to the countryside to pick you up!”

The shopkeeper looked at me sympathetically.

“Are you alright?”

I shook my head and smiled. I simply pointed at some clothes.

“Please help me get this.”

I tried on a few clothes and felt they fit me well. Then, I bought them.

Before I left, I glanced at Lydia. She was trailing behind Audrey.

“Audrey, you’re a natural model! You look great in anything!”

She was holding a stack of clothes in her arms.

They were happily laughing.

They probably did not know that Lydia’s supplementary card had already been canceled by me.

I walked out of the mall and grabbed my suitcase before joining the tour. I had just got onto the bus when my phone rang.

I answered the phone calmly.

Lydia sounded really frustrated.

“Why can’t I use the card you gave me? I haven’t paid for Audrey’s clothes! Do you know how embarrassed I am at the mall?”