Chapter 4

They never intended to contribute anything to this family.

What they needed was a fool who would work tirelessly without asking for anything in return.

As long as I didn't ask for money, didn't complain about being tired, and didn't ask for help, I was the good daughter-in-law and good wife in their eyes.

But the moment I truly couldn't hold on anymore and wanted them to share a little of the burden, they started calling me precious, selfish, and unreasonable.

In this moment, I suddenly felt like all my efforts over the years were a joke.

Just as I was feeling bitter inside, my son, who had been playing with blocks on the balcony, suddenly ran up to me and said with displeasure:

"Mommy's bad. I hate Mommy!"

I looked down at my son's angry little face. My heart felt like someone had grabbed it and squeezed hard.

This child—I had traded my life for him.

When I was pregnant with him, I had severe morning sickness. Everything I ate, I threw up. I lost fifteen pounds in the first five months.

The doctor said the fetus was developing slowly. I forced myself to eat. I ate, threw up, and ate again.

At seven months, I developed gestational hypertension. My legs swelled like pillars. Every step I took left me gasping for breath.

The day I gave birth, I hemorrhaged badly and nearly died.

But now, this child I had traded my life for was saying I was bad, saying he hated me.

I took a deep breath, crouched down, and asked him:

"Henry, how did I become a bad mommy?"

Henry put his hands on his hips and pointed at me self-righteously:

"My classmates and teachers at preschool all say Daddy is a good person. You're stopping Daddy from being a good person, so you're a bad person!"

"You bad mommy, I hate you. I never want to see you again!"

After saying that, he turned and ran to Anthony, hugging him tightly, unwilling to look at me again.

Seeing this, a flash of smugness appeared in Anthony's eyes.

He straightened his back, looked at me, and said proudly:

"See? Even Henry knows you're in the wrong."

"You really should reflect on yourself. Stop talking about money all the time. You reek of greed. It's embarrassing."

Seeing the four of them united against me, I didn't argue anymore. Instead, I asked Anthony one last time:

"Are you sure you're unwilling to contribute any part of your salary to household expenses?"

Polo's insulin had run out.

Anderson's heart medication was nearly gone.

And Henry's tuition had been delayed day after day.

My account was completely empty.

This family desperately needed money to survive.

Faced with my question, disgust floated in Anthony's eyes.

"After all that's been said, you're still eyeing my money?"

"Fine, then today I'll make you give up completely."

After saying that, he opened his phone in front of the whole family and operated it for a bit.

A few seconds later, he held the phone screen up to my face.

He announced condescendingly:

"See this? I've directly linked my salary card to the charity organization's account. It can't be changed for three years."

"From now on, my salary will automatically transfer to the charity's account every month. Don't even think about going after my salary anymore."

Seeing this, Polo was the first to clap and cheer: "Anthony, you did the right thing!"

"Donations should be clean and complete, with no way back. That's a true philanthropist."

Anderson nodded repeatedly and gave a thumbs up with pride:

"Exactly. I support you."

Then he looked at me meaningfully:

"Unlike some people who've fallen into the money pit, only knowing money, money, money all day. Those kinds of people are too narrow-minded and destined to amount to nothing."

Henry also clapped and cheered: "Daddy's so great! Daddy's a good person!"