Because Jonathan has a refined palate, I buy expensive organic produce. Because Aria needed to recover after the birth, I bought premium free-range chickens and high-end supplements. My granddaughter's imported formula costs a fortune per can.

And who paid for all of it? I did. I subsidized their lifestyle with my own pension.

But my funds are limited. After pouring everything into their mouths, I had nothing left for myself.

I stopped buying new clothes. I didn't dare eat a single piece of the expensive fruit I bought for them. I wouldn't even see a doctor when pain wracked my body.

I starved myself to feed them, and now my own daughter called me selfish.

I had always believed my sacrifices were worth it. As long as my family was happy, my exhaustion and suffering were small prices to pay.

I was wrong.

My frugality, my compromises, my endless giving—none of it had earned me gratitude. Instead, my kindness had become a weapon they used against me.

Jonathan didn't give me time to process the betrayal. He shoved his phone in my face, the QR payment code glowing.

"Mom, this ginseng cost two thousand dollars." His tone left no room for argument. "Pay me back. Now."

I stared at the code, then slowly shifted my gaze to my daughter.

"Aria." My voice trembled despite my best efforts. "Do you really think I owe you this money?"

Aria met my gaze. Her expression didn't soften.

"Mom, Jonathan and I work hard for our money," she said. "Just because you're my mother doesn't mean you can bleed us dry. Pay back the two thousand."

Bleed them dry?

Memories of her wedding flooded my mind. Jonathan's family had been poor. Because Aria loved him, I waived the traditional bride price. I gave them fifty thousand dollars of my savings—my entire nest egg—so they could afford the down payment on this very apartment.

I drained my retirement account for their renovations, penny by penny.

I remembered the day they moved in. Aria had hugged me, tears streaming down her face.

"Thank you, Mom," she'd promised. "I'll take care of you forever. I'll make you the happiest mother in the world."

Forever had ended too soon.

No care. No gratitude. Only schemes and accusations.

A small figure suddenly barreled into me.

Lily rushed forward and slammed her little fists into my waist.

"You're bad!" she screamed. "You stole Grandma's stuff! I hate you!"