My son just had surgery. I'm sitting by his bedside in the hospital when I come across a post online.

"What's the worst thing you've ever done?"

One anonymous comment stands out.

"I used the upperclassman who funded me as a stepping stone. My sponsor was rich but clueless. After she paid for my entire college, I slept with her husband and got pregnant.

"The craziest part? My son and her son were born on the same day, but my husband swapped the babies. Now, she treats my son like he's her whole world, working day and night to give him a better life.

"But her own son lives with me, wearing hand-me-downs and eating leftovers. Today, my son had surgery. I was worried sick, so I slapped her son hard a few times.

"Oh, and her family just got a three-million-dollar payout for relocation. My husband is going to the hospital later. He's going to use the excuse of buying a house near the schools to get the money.

"Once we have the money, I'm buying a villa. Then I'll get my son back and kick her out!"

The post includes a blurry photo of a boy begging on his knees.

My breath catches because the charm on his wrist is the same lucky charm I gave my son the day he was born.

Just then, my husband pushes open the door to the ward and walks in.

"Honey, Sean's starting elementary school soon. Let's use that relocation money your mom received to buy a house near the schools."

The eyes of my husband, Connor Crawford, landed on me. They were filled with greed.

As I looked at the man in front of me, I felt like I didn't know him.

Seeing me freeze, he stepped closer. "What's wrong? Feeling tired?"

"No," I said, swallowing the wave of nausea. I turned around and reached out to touch my son Sean Crawford's hair.

But the boy I had raised for six years jerked his head away from my touch and looked behind Connor instead. "Dad, where's Ms. Larsen? Didn't she say she'd come see me?"

His tone carried a blatant coldness toward me but an unabashed intimacy toward my underclassman in college, Willa Larsen.

It hit me like a stab to the heart.

"She'll be here soon," Connor said with a smile, trying to calm him down.

Then, he turned to me and went straight to the point. "Honey, a house near the school is necessary—"

My voice was hoarse as I cut him off, saying, "The houses near Ellwyn Elementary, even the older ones, cost 7,000 dollars per square foot. Three million dollars only covers the deposit. It's too much pressure—"

"Oh, honey, you need to think long term," Connor interrupted. "Investing in education for Sean is always worth it. What's a mortgage? Your company brings in steady income anyway."

"But—"

"Stop with the buts!" Connor frowned, his tone firm. "Janice Sutton, tell me, what's more important, our son or money? Are you really being stingy when it comes to Sean?"

His words stabbed like needles.

For six years, I'd done everything for this family and Sean. He knew better than anyone. Yet now, he was saying such things to shut me down.

I clenched the bedsheet. Just as I was about to answer, the door to the ward opened again.

Willa walked in carrying a fruit basket. "How's Sean doing? Oh, I was so worried!"

She headed straight to the other side of the bed and bent over to look at Sean. Her eyes showed a kind of worry that felt more sincere than mine as his mother.

Connor's expression immediately softened. "The doctor said the surgery went well, but it's just heartbreaking to see Sean suffering like this."

"Surgery really hurts."

Willa turned to me and said matter-of-factly, "Janice, you really need to get Sean some good food to help him recover."

When I didn't reply, she went on, "By the way, I think I overheard you guys talking about buying a house near the schools."

Connor jumped in, "Yeah, we were just discussing it. I'm thinking of using her mom's relocation money to buy a house near Ellwyn Elementary, but Janice has her doubts."

Willa immediately showed her disapproval. "Janice, you really need to listen to Connor. Sean's future is what matters most! He's so smart. He can't afford to fall behind. Right, Sean?"

As Sean looked at Willa, he pouted and whined, "Ms. Larsen, it hurts…"

"It's okay. I'm here," Willa soothed him gently while holding his hand.

Then, she took the chance to say, "Sean, you're about to start elementary school. Your dad wants to buy you a house near the best school. Doesn't that make you happy?"

Even though he was hurting, Sean nodded at the mention of "best school".

He then glanced at me and said in a resentful tone, "Mom, Dad and Ms. Larsen only want what's best for me. Why won't you agree? Jackson's mom sold their car just so he could go to a good school! You only care about money. You don't care about me at all!"

My heart sank to the very bottom.

This was the son I raised for six years.

How could he spit out such cutting words at the mother who stayed by his bedside while he was sick?

Connor looked at me as if to say, "See? Even Sean knows what matters more."

Willa lightly patted Sean's hand. When her eyes flicked to me, there was a flash of satisfaction and mockery.

The three of them were in perfect sync, making me the stingy villain standing in the way of Sean's future.

The room fell silent for a few seconds.

Then, I let out a chuckle. "You're right."

Connor and Willa froze for a second before looking at me.

I unclenched the bedsheet and continued calmly, "Sean's future matters most."

Connor's eyes lit up at once. "Honey, is that a yes?"

"Yeah." I nodded and even gave a small smile. "I'll go to the bank tomorrow and transfer the money. Honey, you handle the house. Pick the best one."

"That's more like it!" Connor beamed.

Willa broke into a radiant smile too. "Janice, I'm so glad you've come to your senses! Sean is so lucky to have such loving parents!"

Sean snorted and turned away, showing his grudging approval.

As I watched their triumphant faces, the final spark of warmth within me was extinguished entirely.

Since the three of them loved to act and thought I was dumb enough to be fooled, I'd just let them act all they wanted.

…

From that day on, I became the most "accommodating" person in this family.

The three-million-dollar relocation money was transferred to Connor's chosen account the next day.

It was a new joint account, supposedly for family investments, but he was the only one who held the password.

He wasted no time. Within a week, he secured a rare listing near Ellwyn Elementary. It was a single-level luxury apartment of about 2,000 square feet, priced at 8,000 dollars per square foot.

"Honey, this place has a great layout and excellent floor. The developer is holding back a few units for insiders. They're giving a discount for full payment! We can't miss this!"

Connor waved the floor plan around excitedly. "But the total is 16 million dollars. Our three million only covers the down payment. Do you think you could use your company as collateral for a mortgage? Or maybe liquidate some of your investments and stocks?"

How ambitious.

Not only did he drain Mom's relocation money, but he was trying to squeeze every last bit out of me.

I frowned. "Getting a mortgage through the company is tough right now, and my investments aren't mature yet. How about we get a smaller place first?"

"A smaller one won't do," Connor snapped. "If we're buying, we buy the best! That's what Sean deserves. Janice, stop hesitating! Taking risks for Sean is nothing!"

At that moment, Willa "just happened" to drop by to visit Sean.

Upon hearing the conversation, she immediately chimed in, "That's right, Janice. It's best to get the right house the first time around. Sean can even stay there with his wife in the future. Money can always be earned, but you don't get a second chance at your kid's education."

Sean kicked the couch nearby, shouting, "I want a big house! Davin's family has a 2,000-square-foot place with a toy room! I want one just like his!"

Watching how spoiled and out of control he had become, I lowered my eyes and compromised. "Fine, I'll figure something out."

"Thank you, honey!" Connor wrapped his arms around me.

He sounded "sincere" as he continued, "Sean and I will always remember everything you do for us!"

His fake words made me sick.

Without missing a beat, he changed the subject. "By the way, since we're buying the house for Sean, let's just put the deed in his name. It's all going to be his eventually."

I said nothing at first, my fingers curling slightly at my side.

Willa quickly agreed happily. "Good idea, Connor! Putting it in Sean's name makes the most sense. It can even be his matrimonial home someday."

I sneered inside but stayed calm on the surface. "Sure, put it in Sean's name."

Connor and Willa exchanged a glance. Their eyes shone with joy.

They probably thought that with Sean's name on the deed, the house was eventually theirs.

But they had no idea I had a big surprise planned.

…

After that, things got worse.

Claiming he needed funds to "secure the mortgage" and "pull some strings", Connor frequently withdrew large sums of cash from me. My savings began to dwindle at a staggering rate.

Willa started coming over more and more often. She made herself right at home, acting like she was the true lady of the house.

She started bossing me around with chores, complaining that the groceries I bought weren't fresh, and griping that the meals I cooked didn't suit Sean's tastes.

She even "accidentally" used my skincare products on the vanity and wore the brand-new clothes in my closet with the tags still on.

"Janice, this color is so dull on you. It doesn't suit you. I'm slimmer, so I can wear it better. Let's not waste it."

Wearing my silk dress, she preened in front of the mirror.

I just nodded. "You can keep it if you like it."

Sean grew more impatient with me.

Everything he ate, wore, or did had to be approved by Willa first.

He kept saying "Ms. Larsen said" or "Ms. Larsen bought this for me".

The limited-edition building block set I got for him was tossed aside like junk. "Ms. Larsen promised to take me abroad. That's way better than these dumb toys!"

Connor didn't even bother hiding it anymore. He flirted openly with Willa right in front of me.

Once, I came home early and caught Willa stepping out of the master bathroom wearing my nightgown.

"Janice, you're back? I just borrowed the bathroom. My water heater's broken," she said, her hair still dripping, without a hint of shame.

Connor appeared from the study, frowning. "Janice, why didn't you call before coming home? You scared us."

I stood still and slowly smiled. "Sorry, I'll be more careful next time."

The paperwork for the house moved along very quickly. Before signing the contract, we needed to finalize the names to be listed on the deed.

That day, Connor came home early, and Willa showed up too. This time, she brought a thin, timid child.

The kid kept his head down, dressed in ragged, ill-fitting clothes, with a faded lucky charm bracelet on his wrist.

My heart wrenched.

That was my son!

"Who's that?" Connor asked, frowning. His eyes were full of undisguised disgust.