My mother was a country woman, yes. But she was the most generous, selfless person I'd ever known. She had never taken a single thing from anyone—least of all from Elmer. Everything she'd ever done for him was pure giving, never asking.
When Elmer was scraping together funds to launch his startup, my mother handed over her entire life savings without a moment's hesitation.
When she learned about his chronic stomach problems, she made nourishing soups and herbal remedies no matter how busy she was, shipping them hundreds of miles to the city.
And this was the woman Elmer called greedy. A woman who had treated him like her own son—reduced in his mouth to a shameless freeloader who deserved to be beaten.
Something inside me went cold. When I spoke again, my voice was quieter, stripped of urgency.
"Elmer, she's hurt badly. I'm telling you—send someone to get her to a hospital. After all, she raised you. That wasn't easy."
He exploded.
"What is wrong with you, Margaret? When has your mother ever raised me?"
"No wonder Lorraine couldn't help herself. With a daughter like you, your mother had it coming!"
"My own mother is about to fly back from overseas. I'm planning a surprise homecoming dinner for her. I don't have time for your nonsense."
The line went dead.
On the way to the airport, I saw that Elmer had posted on social media.
Just one line:
"Mom's coming home. I can finally be the son she deserves."
I tapped the like button in silence.
A quiet curiosity stirred in my chest.
When he found out it was his own mother Lorraine had beaten half to death—what would this devoted son do then?
By evening, I arrived at Elmer's Hilltop Villa.
The villa's courtyard was overflowing with flowers and balloons, and a grand golden arch stood at the center, emblazoned with bold lettering:
"Welcome Home, Dear Mother!"
Beneath the arch, every friend and relative of the Farley family had gathered.
When they saw me arrive, a strange, complicated expression crossed each of their faces.
I stepped into the courtyard—and froze.
There, in the corner, lay a body draped in a white sheet.
Every muscle in my body locked up.
Before I could speak, Lorraine stepped forward, putting on a pitiful expression as she addressed me.
"Margaret, I only meant to teach your mother a small lesson. How was I supposed to know she couldn't take it? She just... had a heart attack and died on the spot."