During the first parent-teacher meeting of the third year of high school, the teacher once again praised Michael Green for being first in the grade.

After the meeting, Michael's homeroom teacher, Teacher Brown, asked me to stay behind.

"Mrs. Green, although Michael still ranked first in this exam, combining the results of the previous exams, I've noticed a downward trend in his performance. I also observed that he's been getting quite close to a girl in his class, and they sometimes share intimate gestures during breaks."

"As parents, we need to make sure our children stay focused. It's already their final year, and studying should be their top priority. We can't afford to let anything else distract them. We must take preventive measures."

I bowed my head and thought for a moment.

In my previous life, the homeroom teacher said the exact same thing to me.

At that time, I immediately sought out my son and sternly told him that he absolutely couldn't fall in love in his final year.

I also reached out to the girl's parents to make them aware of the situation.

The college entrance exam is the most important thing, with thousands competing for a single opportunity.

Those little teenage feelings are nothing compared to the brutal competition of society.

I didn't dare let my guard down.

Back then, my son had a huge fight with me over this, accusing me, a housewife, of not understanding love.

He said that he and Victoria White were truly in love and that it wouldn't affect his studies but rather improve his efficiency.

Fortunately, Victoria's parents weren't foolish. They, too, didn't want to jeopardize their child's future, so they swiftly arranged for her to transfer schools.

Afterward, Michael was down for a while but eventually threw himself back into his studies.

I finally felt relieved.

In the end, Michael was admitted to a top university.

When we received the admission letter, I cried tears of joy.

I hadn't worked a day since Michael was born, staying home to take care of his every need. You could say that Michael was my entire career.

But when I got cancer and needed treatment, neither Michael nor my husband, who was already a general manager, allowed me to be hospitalized. They just coldly watched, saying harshly.

"Mom, why are you even bothering to get treated? Don't you know this is divine retribution?"

"You ruined my love life, leaving me with unrequited love for the rest of my life. I hate you so much."

"You should've died a long time ago. Just go die."

At that moment, I looked at the son I had raised for nineteen years in disbelief.

His face, twisted with hatred, was unrecognizable to me.

He had no gratitude for the mother who had poured everything into him, no concern for my illness, and no comfort or understanding in my helpless state.

Instead, he wished for my early death.

My worldview shattered, and I refused to seek help, allowing the cancer to torture me to death.

Thinking of this, the deep-rooted pain from my past life made me shudder. I waved my hand and said.

"Teacher Brown, it's normal for teenagers to be curious about the opposite sex. They just talked a bit more. Kids grow up and have their own thoughts. Over-interference from parents can be counterproductive."

"I think the fluctuation in his grades is also normal."

Teacher Brown opened his mouth as if to say more, but before he could, I turned and left the office without looking back.

At the hospital, the doctor looked at the test results and said.

"There's no major issue. There are a few nodules. Just take your medication on time and come back for regular check-ups."

Finally, I felt a weight lift off my shoulders and thanked the doctor.

In my previous life, it was around this time that I started noticing something wrong with my body.

But I kept pushing through, fearing it would interfere with making meals for my son or affect his studies.

The disease progressed rapidly, and by the time it was discovered, it was already in the middle to late stages.

Initially, there was still hope for a cure, but my son and husband coldly watched as I eventually died from the illness.

In this new life, I'm placing my hopes on myself.

As for my son and husband, they can have it their way.

That evening, I was busy submitting my revised resume on various job sites.

After spending over a decade as a full-time mom, pouring all my energy into this family, I ended up dying with no peace.

This time, I'm living for myself.

Before becoming a full-time mom, I was a supervisor in the finance department and had passed the intermediate accountant certification.

But after not working for over a decade, I was still nervous.

I told myself, "I've faced death. What is there left to fear?" Then I clicked the mouse and sent out my resume.

My husband, David Green, called, immediately questioning me.

"Gloria Jones, don't overreact. Michael just talked a bit more with a girl at school. What makes you think he's in a relationship?"

It turns out that Teacher Brown, out of concern for Michael, had spoken to him again and mentioned that my opinion aligned with the teacher's.

So, Michael called his father to complain.

"You're just a housewife. What do you know about young love?"

"You're suffocating our son. Did you know that? He feels suffocated every time he comes home."

I cut off his rant.

"From now on, you take care of Michael's studies and life. I'm done."

David angrily hung up the phone, thinking I was threatening him.

In my previous life, I had already discovered that David was having an affair around this time.

Fearing that this would affect Michael's studies, I kept silent.

Even when I caught them in bed together, I begged them not to make it public until after Michael's college entrance exam.

But David, ignoring my pleas, began considering divorce.

I begged him not to divorce me, but he was unmoved.

Desperate, I sought out the mistress and begged her to leave David, not to ruin my family or destroy the image of a father in my son's eyes.

To ensure my son could get into a good university, I was willing to sacrifice my dignity and pride.

Eventually, the mistress couldn't withstand my persistence and left him.

But I didn't expect that my endless concessions would only bring deep harm.

The call ended, and I noticed Michael standing at the door with his backpack. I didn't know how long he had been standing there.

He stared at me with a face full of anger, as if he were looking at an enemy.

In the past, I thought his impatience and anger toward me were due to the pressure of studying.

Now I realize he truly hates me, but I don't know where this hatred comes from.

"Why did you tell Teacher Brown in the office that I'm in a relationship? There's nothing between Victoria and me."

"From childhood to adulthood, all you ever talk about is studying. Do you know how sick of it I am?"

"You make me feel suffocated. Do you understand that? Do you even know what that feels like?"

"Victoria is just a friend who helps me relax. Only she can help me escape the suffocation you bring."

"I'm just your son, not a study machine for you to control."

Watching Michael's high-frequency outburst, I coldly stared at him.

"If I suffocate you so much, then from now on, you live your life as you wish. I've already told your father and he will take care of your studies and life from now on."

"Your every decision from here on out has nothing to do with me."

"And starting tomorrow, I won't be bringing you lunch anymore. You'll eat at the cafeteria, and there won't be any more late-night snacks. You'll have to handle that yourself."

I said this with a firm tone, and it wasn't just to scare Michael.

Michael is my only child. In my previous life, I poured all my heart and soul into him, taking care of every detail.

Because I knew how tough the competition would be in the future, and I'd faced struggles in my career due to a lack of family support.

For Michael's sake, I quit my job to focus on raising him.

While other kids were still learning to talk, Michael could already recite multiple poems.

To find his interests, I enrolled him in numerous classes, learning alongside him so I could help him when needed.

Life doesn't offer an easy path. Every step must be taken carefully.

I believed that with me by his side, he wouldn't feel so alone on his journey.

I wanted my child's path to be smoother and easier, but I was wrong.

"You're just threatening me. I don't need you to manage me. I like my dad, and I don't care about eating in the cafeteria," Michael shouted loudly before storming back to his room.

I let out a breath.

Michael still thought I was speaking out of anger.