Beautiful and Kind, But Actually Sinister and Vicious Mother

I'm not a local of Senkins.

When my mom heard I was accepted to Senkins University, she insisted on coming with me, saying she didn't trust me going so far alone and wanted to come to Senkins as my "study companion."

At first, Dad and I disagreed and tried our best to talk her out of it.

"Emily, people only have study companions in middle and high school. Who has one in college?"

"I'll be staying at the dorm most of the time. Why waste money renting an apartment?"

Senkins is a top-tier city, and the rent and cost of living are super high.

For a one-income family like ours, the cost would be way too much.

But my mom got so mad that she smashed a few glasses and pointed at me, calling me ungrateful.

"Waste? If you don't want to waste money, don't even go to college. Save the tuition and living expenses, too!

"I always said having a daughter was a mistake! If it weren't for the family planning policy back then, I should've just killed you at birth!

"Let's be honest, you just want to ditch us in this town and live your life in Senkins, right?

"Let me tell you, Scarlett Torres, you'll never escape from us!"

My mom's always been gentle in public. At home, she's a ticking time bomb. If we don't do things her way, we won't have a peaceful day.

She only calmed down when Dad agreed to give her the money.

"I'm just doing this to take care of my daughter!

"Sure, rent in Senkins is expensive, but more opportunities exist! Maybe I can even get a job and save up some money.

"When family is together, that's when a daughter has confidence!"

Sure, that sounds nice.

A month before school started, she took the 50,000 dollars Dad gave her and dragged me to Senkins to rent an apartment, checking out the city's trendy food spots daily.

But she charged all of it to me.

My mom keeps a separate notebook where she's tracked all my expenses since I was a kid. She always reminded me that once I started working, I better repay her.

At first, it was just my tuition and living expenses. Since we've moved to Senkins, she's been adding all her food and outings to my tab too.

I pointed at the notebook to ask her about it, and she threw it at my face.

"Why do you think I'm in Senkins? It's all for you!"

Sometimes I overhear her talking to relatives on the phone.

"My daughter was scared to be out on her own, so I had no choice but to come to Senkins with her... There's nothing I can do. Scarlett is just too stubborn.

"Oh, she doesn't even know how to use a washing machine! How could I not come along?"

Meanwhile, she's out all day. I barely even see her, but the expenses in her notebook keep piling up.

Sometimes, I catch posts on her social media about how she's taking me out for meals again.

Clearly, she forgot to block me from seeing them.

I confronted her about it, but she stayed shameless as ever.

"When people invite us out, I'm making you look good. You should be thanking me!

"And have you considered treating your mom to a meal once since we've been here?

"Don't think I don't know about the scholarship money you've been getting at school.

"Since you've got money, you can cover your own living expenses from now on."

I couldn't help but laugh in frustration.

Before we left, Dad clearly said the 50,000 dollars was all the savings we had, with 20,000 dollars for my living expenses during college, and 30,000 dollars for Mom to cover the rent.

Over a few years, 20,000 dollars isn't enough, and I'd have to get a part-time job to make up the rest.

I agreed, but I didn't expect her to even want to give me the 20,000 dollars.

"That's not what your notebook says.

"Are you cooking the books now? Mom, if you're doing this, I'm really starting to wonder if any of those precious expenses were real. I'm going to check with Dad."

"What's that supposed to mean? You're questioning me or mocking me for not having an education and not knowing how to keep track of expenses?"

My mom only has an elementary school education. She always says she was great in school. Her family was poor, she had to drop out and take care of my uncle.

Anytime we argue, she immediately turns it into how I look down on her, crying and making a scene.

I've never understood why she blames me and Dad for everything when the ones who really made her suffer were my grandparents and uncle.

She says she's suffered enough in her life, and now it's time for her to enjoy herself.

On my first day of school, she slept until noon, not even bothering to see me off. I lugged my big suitcase all by myself to check-in at the dorm.

In the dorm, I saw other roommates' moms helping make the beds, and that's when I realized I forgot my blanket. I called her, only to get scolded.

"You didn't even tell me today was your first day. Now you need me, huh?

"Am I your maid, at your beck and call?"

I gritted my teeth and explained slowly, "I told you a few days ago. I even forwarded the school's notice to you on WhatsApp.

"You were sound asleep this morning, so I didn't wake you."

Not that waking her would've helped.

She's always grumpy when she wakes up. It would've just delayed me getting to school.

She angrily hung up on me. I sighed and went out to buy new sheets. When I came back, I saw her standing outside the dorm with my blanket.

"I was so worried! Why didn't you pick up the phone?

"I told you I'd bring it to you. Why'd you go and buy another one?"

When did she ever say she was coming?

Before I could say anything, another parent nearby chimed in.

"Miss, you're still young but must eliminate these vain habits.

"Your mom may come from a small town, but she traveled all this way for you. You should be grateful!

"And you're an adult now. You do realize no one's obligated to support you anymore, right?"

I didn't even need to guess what was going on. Mom must've said something to this parent while waiting downstairs.

I lowered my head and pointed at the heavy blanket I was holding.

The thick blanket was awkward to carry. I had tied it up with a rope to make it easier to haul everything back. Both my hands struggled to hold it up, and I was sweating.

How was I supposed to answer the phone like this?

The parent's expression shifted. My mom quickly stepped in, flashing him a smile.

"She's my only daughter. Everything I do, I do willingly.

"Scarlett, hurry upstairs! I brought you some food.

"Share it with your roommates later. Make a good impression."

Her "food" was a dozen eggs. I distinctly remember her not bringing those when we boarded the train.

She probably bought them on the way here.

Later, she went to the school cafeteria, loaded $100 onto my meal card, and immediately spent $50 on food.

No need to guess. It went in her little notebook.

So even now, seeing a strange man in our house, I can still ask her with a straight face.

"Mom, who's this?"