Her family had scraped together just enough to help Parker buy a small, bare apartment, but not a cent had gone into mine.

Rowan tried pulling me back. "I'll make her apologize. She's from the countryside and isn't used to life in the city."

Being a country girl myself, I couldn't stand hearing that.

My mother had lived her whole life in the countryside but never acted as insane as Lauren.

"Enough of this nonsense. There's no point discussing if she can stay or not. She's not staying. So, get out now!"

I was furious, remembering how in the previous life, my son had died tragically.

It was just because I had been too lenient with her. It was my courtesy that had allowed her to become so emboldened that she eventually kicked me out of my home.

Suddenly, Lauren snatched the vest from me, glaring. "Fine, I'll leave! But you'll regret it!"

She was planning to move back to sleep on the couch again in Parker's house.

Rowan rushed to me, pleading, "She's getting old. Sleeping on the couch every night is giving her backaches. She only came to help us with the baby, after all."

Upon hearing Rowan defend her, Lauren seemed to think there was still a chance of staying, stalling as if she didn't want to leave.

There was indeed a chance.

But it was just not for the reason she thought.

I suddenly realized that even if I kicked her out, she'd still cause trouble over at Parker's place.

We lived in the same community, so I couldn't be sure that she wouldn't find a way to mess with me and my son.

If I couldn't control her, then at least I could avoid her.

"Alright, she can stay here," I said, "I've been feeling down lately anyway. I'll take my son and stay at my mother's for a while. You two can do whatever you want."

When Lauren saw that I was compromising, she didn't appreciate it and pushed her luck even further.

"If you want to go back to your parents' house, fine. But why are you taking my precious grandson? He still needs to wear that vest to change his fate!"

Rowan quickly pulled his mother into the room, afraid I would lose my temper again.

At the same time, he looked at me with pleading eyes, clearly hoping I'd let his mother have her way. "Honey, maybe it's a good idea for you to relax at your parents' place. Let Mom take care of the baby. She wouldn't hurt her grandson."

In my past life, we fought over this exact issue.

I was furious, insisting on taking my baby to my parents' house.