Vivian walked toward me, baby in her arms.
"Alex, you really came."
I didn't respond. I just watched Mom's guilty profile.
On the payment screen, she backed out three times in a row. Still couldn't complete the purchase.
Mom let out a dry laugh.
"Alex, transfer Mom a little more for expenses. There's not enough for the tickets."
"Enough for the three of you, but when it comes to me, suddenly not enough?"
Mom's face turned cold.
"What kind of way is that to talk? Originally it was three of us, and the budget was set. Wasn't it you who insisted on coming?"
"Besides, I'm your mother. If I go traveling, isn't it only right you pay?"
I took a deep breath. My heart went completely cold.
"I've been working for years. Sending money home every month, like clockwork. All together, it's close to a million. This month I'm on maternity leave—my salary's lower, and I don't have extra to give you. So now you can't take me on a trip?"
"Where did that million go? The money I gave you—couldn't you even spare twenty thousand for me?"
"Vivian hasn't worked a single day since graduation. You paid her rent, covered her living expenses—but when it comes to me, suddenly there's nothing?"
"Just because I have a salary, I deserve to be bled dry?"
My voice rose with each question.
What I got in return was a slap across the face from my mom.
"How dare you! I'm your mother! Is this how you speak to your elders!"
Other residents in the complex stopped to watch.
The more Mom thought about it, the angrier she got. She lunged forward, ready to keep hitting me.
I shielded my son with one arm and stood my ground.
Vivian sidled over, putting on a show of apologizing.
"Alex, don't be like this. Mom didn't mean it that way. You're her daughter—can't you just back down? We're all adults now. Don't make Mom angry again."
I hitched my son higher on my hip and slapped her across the face with my free hand.
"I'm talking to my mom. This has nothing to do with you."
The next second, Vivian's eyes welled up. She dropped to her knees and started kowtowing frantically.
"I was wrong, I know I was wrong. I'll never talk to Mom and Dad again. I won't let them help me anymore. Don't be mad—I'm leaving right now..."
Her forehead split open, blood trickling down, and the baby in her arms started wailing.
Mom rushed forward to shield her.