Seven years ago, when Jade gave birth, her in-laws didn't even show their faces because Savannah was a girl. They had withheld the $20,000 confinement subsidy they promised. I was the one who raised this child from infancy, yet now she clung to the grandmother who had despised her existence and called me "bad."

The irony cut deep.

Jade had no choice but to sit in the middle, leaving me squeezed against the door.

From the front passenger seat, Patrick's dad, Alex James, spoke up. "Is tonight's New Year's Eve dinner arranged?"

Before Patrick could answer, Jade jumped in.

"It's all arranged! I specifically had my mom buy top-grade fish maw and fresh seafood..."

"I didn't buy it." My voice was calm. "I sent you the grocery list this morning. You forgot? The $500 you gave me wasn't nearly enough."

The atmosphere in the car turned to stone. Patrick scrambled to smooth things over.

"It's fine! Dad, Mom, you don't visit often. We'll book a table at Riverside Tower for New Year's Eve dinner. There's still time!"

Riverside Tower. One of the top three restaurants in River City.

I hadn't set foot in such a place in seven years.

Jade's face lengthened, but she couldn't flare up in front of her in-laws. She let her husband call and book a private room, which required an extra $2,000 rush fee.

The car pulled up to the restaurant. As the waiters guided us to a private room on the second floor, Jade grabbed my arm, hanging back.

"Mom," she whispered resentfully, "if you hadn't suddenly quit today, would we be here wasting money like suckers? You're paying for this meal. Consider it an apology for your immature behavior."

A short, sharp laugh escaped me. "You really do see me as a servant, don't you? If I don't cook, you and your mother-in-law are incapable of making a meal?"

"My mother-in-law isn't like you!" Jade hissed. "She's been pampered her whole life—how could she do rough work? Besides, she's a guest who traveled a long way. How can we ask an honored guest to cook?"

My heart turned to ice.

For years, her mother-in-law's persona had been that of a noble, delicate lady, too fragile for labor. Meanwhile, in my daughter's eyes, I was born to be a rough-handed servant. Seven years of giving everything, and it was worth less than a few polite words from a stranger.

I shook off her hand and walked inside without a word.