Chapter 4

I decided to go upstairs and have a proper talk with Ryan.

Ryan came out of the shower to find me waiting sternly in the bedroom. Seeing my expression, he sighed.

"Emma, I'm really tired today. My mom's getting old, just ignore her," he said.

"Do you know what she did today? She came to my office and made a scene," I said coldly, staring at him. He froze for a moment, then threw up his hands and paced around the room.

"God, just kill me now. Can't I catch a break today?"

"You need to understand, it's not me causing trouble, it's your mother. It's not me making your life difficult, it's her making our lives difficult!" I was at my breaking point. I'm a victim here too, you know?

"I get it, I'll talk to her. She's just bored. Come on, let's make love. Let's give her a grandchild to keep her busy," Ryan said, leaning in towards me.

"What are you thinking? We're having conflicts without a child, and you think having a baby will solve them?" I pushed him away, clear-headed.

"Then what do you want me to do?" Ryan was clearly impatient now.

Suddenly, my phone rang. Seeing it was my mother, I quickly answered.

"Emma, I'm downstairs. Can you come help me? I have too much luggage to carry up myself," my mother said.

"Mom! You're back? Why didn't you tell me in advance?" I said, rushing out. Ryan hesitated for a moment before following.

My mother was standing downstairs with two large suitcases. The taxi that dropped her off had already left.

"Mom, is everything okay?" I asked worriedly.

"I've got a minor health issue. I wanted to come back to recover, but I didn't want to worry you, so I didn't tell you in advance."

It turned out my mother had developed some skin problems due to the change in environment.

Back at home, Linda was also alerted by the commotion. She stood at the door in her pajamas, giving my mother a cold look as she entered.

"Sorry for the intrusion," my mother said with an apologetic smile. She then pulled out a gift for Linda from her suitcase.

"You didn't need to bring anything from so far away," Linda said, quickly accepting the gift and exchanging a few pleasantries.

"It's too late today, let's go to the hospital tomorrow. Mom, you must be tired from the flight. Get some rest first," I said, noticing my mother's weary face.

That's when I saw Linda and Ryan exchange a glance, and I suddenly remembered the room situation. Linda was staying in what used to be my mother's room, and the other spare room was occupied by Ryan's younger brother. He was about to graduate from college and was supposedly staying temporarily.

On the second floor, apart from our bedroom, there was a small study, but it had no bed and was quite cramped.

Linda exchanged a look with me, then turned her face away.

"She can stay in the small room for now," I said decisively, walking towards Ryan's brother's room. He was away at school for exams these few days.

Opening the door, I was shocked. A foul odor hit me.

I usually didn't go into his room, and I never imagined a nice room could turn into such a pigsty. The room was a complete mess, with garbage, takeout boxes, and crumpled tissues everywhere. The desk and shelves were cluttered with action figures, and there was barely any space to step.

"We're not allowed to touch Kevin's room. Last time I tried to clean it, he got angry and chased me out," Linda said loudly.

It was too late to clean the room now, so I turned my gaze back to Linda.

"Mom, my mother has bad knees and can't climb stairs easily. Could you sleep in Kevin's room for now and let my mother have the bigger room?"

"What if Kevin gets angry? I can't afford to upset him!" Linda immediately refused.

"I'll go find a hotel then. I didn't mean to cause trouble," my mother said apologetically.

"What trouble? This house is yours, you shouldn't be the one staying at a hotel," I said. My words were directed at my mother, but my eyes were fixed on Ryan's face.

His face tightened, and he bit his lip before pulling Linda aside. They whispered something, and Linda reluctantly took her bedding into Kevin's room.

I quickly helped my mother settle in. I hadn't seen her in a while and missed her terribly, so I insisted on sleeping in the large bed with her that night.

Next door, Linda was making some noise, with occasional loud thumps startling us.

My mother looked like she wanted to say something, but held back. I knew what she wanted to ask, but I didn't want her to worry while she was still unwell, so I put on a brave face.

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