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.

For several days in a row, Michael kept eating in the cafeteria.

In the past, I used to take the bus every day at noon to bring him meals, worrying about the long queues and hygiene at the cafeteria.

I remember how other children would thank their mothers and express their gratitude when they brought them food, while Michael would just take the meal and walk away, sometimes without even a word. This made my already cold heart grow even colder.

Recently, Michael has been quite happy, feeling relieved without my restrictions.

He would come home humming a tune in the evening, but the moment he saw me, his face would darken.

On Saturday, David returned.

As soon as he stepped in, without even putting down his luggage, Michael excitedly jumped onto him, and David embraced him warmly.

"My good son," he said.

After they pulled apart, David said to Michael, "Dad brought you a gift," while pulling out the things he had brought from his suitcase: clothes, shoes, a camera, and an iPad.

Michael's eyes lit up as he held the iPad.

"Dad, how did you know I wanted this?" he asked, his voice dropping afterward.

"But iPads affect studying. Mom definitely won't let me use it."

"I bought this for my own son. What right does she have to control everything?"

"Besides, playing occasionally is for relaxation. It can improve study efficiency."

David raised his voice, "Your mom is like that—controlling this and that, almost like she's crazy."

"She only cares about making you study, as if she's turning my son into a study machine."

Michael was thrilled to hear David blaming me and said happily, "Dad, you're the best!"

The scene made me want to applaud.

After all these years of dedication, there wasn't even a word of gratitude.

Michael has always believed that his father, who is often on business trips and rarely seen in a year, is the one who truly loves him.

On the other hand, his mother—me—is the disgraceful and suffocating presence in his life.

I told David, "I've said it before, from now on, I won't care about Michael's studies or life anymore. It's all up to you."

All these years, I've handled everything inside and out, and no one understands my hardships.

Now, I've given up, I've let go, and they can do as they please.

Taking care of myself is what matters most.

David glanced at me, then smiled at Michael and said, "If I'm in charge, then I'm in charge. My dear son is so well-behaved, he doesn't need any managing at all. If you continue to manage him, he'll turn stupid."

"Isn't that right, son?"

"Dad, you're the best."

Michael said joyfully as he hugged David again.

I stared at them coldly.

Let's wait and see.

5.

On the weekend, Michael said he had plans with classmates and wouldn't be eating at home.

Seeing his joyful expression, tidying his clothes and fixing his hair, I knew he had a date with a female classmate.

Apparently, he hadn't taken Teacher Brown's warnings seriously and was determined to continue his early romance.

In the past, I would have definitely stopped him from going out and made him stay home to study.

But now, I just shook my head and went about my own business.

David also went out. I knew he was going to meet his little girlfriend.

I remembered how in the past life he cursed and resented me, blaming me for his loss of his lover, and how he said marrying me was the biggest mistake of his life. In the end, he coldly watched as I was tormented by cancer.

Time has drifted away, and people have become indifferent.

David has forgotten how he pursued me back then, and has also forgotten the promises he made when we got married.

Over the years, as he climbed the corporate ladder, he lost his once valuable qualities, becoming arrogant and selfish.

At this moment, David doesn't know that I've already discovered his affair.

Thinking of this, I made a decision.

I hired a private detective to investigate David and his lover.