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.

I was hired by a company as a warehouse manager.

Although it wasn't the accounting position I had hoped for, I was still very satisfied to have a job.

The company is close to home and has a cafeteria, so lunch is provided.

And so, after more than ten years away from the workforce, I've returned.

I'm very enthusiastic about my new job, and my colleagues see how hard I work and are very kind to me.

"Gloria, if you need to climb high while counting inventory, remember to call me. Don't do it alone. I'm afraid you might fall," said my colleague Jeff with a smile. He's a very friendly young man in his twenties and often helps me with moving goods.

Everyone praises him, saying he's well-liked and filial. He had found a good job in a big city, but returned home to take care of his paralyzed mother, finding a lower-paying job close to home to better care for her.

I couldn't help but sigh—good kids are always someone else's.

Since I started working, I've hardly paid attention to Michael's situation.

Whether he studies well or not, whether he studies at all, it's all his own decision and has nothing to do with me.

One day, Teacher Brown called me.

"Mrs. Green, Michael's grades dropped out of the top twenty in the grade this time, and the signs of early romance are becoming more apparent. You should come over as soon as possible."

"Sorry, Teacher Brown, I can't leave work. I'll have his dad go."

In the past life, under my supervision, Michael's grades never fell out of the top three in his grade.

I didn't expect that without my supervision and assistance, his grades would drop out of the top twenty in such a short time.

Learning is like rowing upstream; not to advance is to drop back.

After Rebirth The Full-Time Mom Is Done