Chapter 2

"Grace, we all were waiting for you, come in quickly!" Kelly happily greeted Grace and her son at the door. "I've missed you so much. If you hadn’t gone abroad and had married my brother back then, we’d be a family now!"

My mother-in-law walked past me and grabbed Grace’s hand, smiling broadly. "Exactly! If you hadn’t moved away, you and Jason would have married long ago, and Noah would be my real grandson. Come on, come in. "

“Oh, come here, my big grandson,” My father called her son, Noah, opening his arms.

The whole family gathered around Grace and Noah and showed no hesitation in expressing their fondness for them.

At that moment, I felt utterly disheartened. I covered my daughter’s ears, trying to protect her from the hurt.

Although Grace and Jason had grown up together as childhood sweethearts, she left Jason after his business failed and married someone else abroad.

I was the one who stayed by Jason’s side and helped him pay off the debt of five million.

Kelly and Jason were twins. When we got married, she was still in college. After I joined the family, my in-laws stopped working and stayed at home, citing health problems. As a result, I also took on the responsibility of paying Kelly’s school tuition and living expenses.

I had helped her pay off her student loans.

By relation, I was her sister-in-law, but in reality, I was more like her mother!

On top of that, I gave my in-laws a monthly allowance of 20,000 and took care of all their meals and needs.

I wasn’t just a daughter-in-law, but an ATM and a full-time maid!

I had put so much into this family, yet now, I was being overshadowed by a woman who had abandoned Jason when he needed her the most.

Seeing the cold look on my face, Grace smiled smugly and came over to me feigning humility. “

"Sorry, Emma, if it weren’t for me and Noah suddenly coming back, Ava wouldn’t have to stay in the basement. I was thinking of renting a place, but Jason said it’s unsafe for a mother and child to live alone. So he came up with this solution. I didn’t expect it would come at the cost of Ava’s comfort. I even agreed to stay in the basement, but Jason said Noah’s health is poor, and he needs to stay in a sunny room."

Kelly spoiled Noah, pouring him a glass of juice.

"But he is right!” Kelly butted in while pouring Noah a glass of juice. “Noah is weak. How can he stay in such a place. It is dark and damp, with so many sewage pipes and loud noises. Ava is healthy. It doesn't matter where she sleeps!"

"Auntie, I want more," Noah’s sweet voice brought laughter and joy to everyone except me.

Jason, noticing my sour face, came beside me and wrapped his arm around me. "Alright, I know it’s unfair to Ava, but we have no other choice. Okay, look. Remember, that barbie doll Ava wanted? I’ll buy it for her. I promise."

I grabbed Ava's hand and held it up in front of him. "Pay up, 36,000."

"That’s outrageous! I have agreed to buy it, don’t expect me to pay for it.

"If you're not paying,why did you even agree?"

I rolled my eyes at him and then gave a mocking smile. "Oh, I forgot, your monthly salary is only 2,500. Even your yearly salary wouldn't cover it."

His jaw clenched, but I didn’t care. Over the years, he had completely forgotten that I was the one supporting this family.

Everything the family wore, ate and lived inwas provided by me.

Not to mention the five million of debt and 100,000 of dowry.

Without me, this family would have no roof on their head and would be begging on the streets!

At that moment, suddenly Noah began whining. "I want fried chicken, I want fried chicken."

My mother-in-law intervened us, her voice stern as she scolded me. "Can’t you see Noah wants fried chicken? Stop arguing with your husband and take care of the child. Really, you don’t understand anything.”

I let out a chuckle. I was too understanding and that’s the reason why this family were able to walk all over me.

"If he wants it, just order it. You're his grandmother, you can’t be stingy." I replied throwing a plastic smile at her.

Or is it this claiming him like your real grandson are just empty words?"

"Emma, how dare you talk to my mother like that?" Jason snapped. "Mom is getting older. How would she know how to order food online? Now please, do the needful.”

I feigned concern. "Oh, is it?! Mom, you didn’t tell me that you can’t use the internet. Our new house has all these smart home systems. Maybe you should then stay here only. It would be more comfortable for you. "

"Who says I don’t know how to use the internet?" She rolled her eyes at her son.

"I'm a surfing pro! I know how to use every app, don’t think I’m not updated with today’s technology.”

"Well then, since you know how to use every app, why don’t you hurry up and order the fried chicken for Noah? Or is it that you don’t want to?"