Severing Ties: My Mother Wanted to Drag Me into Family's Greed

When I was young, my father passed away from overwork.

My mother was depressed every day and even had thoughts of ending her life.

I studied hard and eventually got into university.

I took my mother to the city where I was studying.

My mother was in poor health and could only do some light work.

While going to school, I worked part-time.

I worked so hard just to earn enough money for tuition to continue my studies.

When I finally graduated, I had managed to save up some money and was ready to buy my own house.

I thought I could take good care of both myself and my mother.

I wanted to work hard to provide my mother with a worry-free life.

But my mother was getting older and couldn't adapt to the fast pace of the big city.

Moreover, my grandparents were also aging and needed care.

So, my mother returned to our hometown.

She placed a high value on family. She often said that without relatives, it would be difficult to do anything in the future.

Besides, Rosalind lost her parents when I was very young.

In the years since my mother returned home, she became closer to my grandparents.

Sometimes, I would encourage my mother to remarry.

But my mother was too soft-hearted.

Whenever she thought about remarrying, my grandparents would cry and beg her to stay.

They said they had already lost their eldest son and couldn't bear to lose their daughter-in-law.

They said their younger son was useless, and if my mother left, they would just be waiting to die at home.

So, my mother chose to stay in that house and remained a widow.

Every day, she not only took care of my grandparents but also helped look after Sherman's daughter.

Sherman's daughter was my cousin, Whitney.

I knew that if I lost my temper, it would make things hard for my mother.

But I wasn't someone to be easily bullied.

While I couldn't directly yell at people, I could be sarcastic.

I sent a message: [Grandpa, isn't Uncle Sherman's wife gone because of his gambling? Besides, Uncle Sherman is in good health now; Whitney wanting to travel shouldn't be my responsibility, right?]

My grandfather replied: [Sherman hasn't worked in years. Where would he get the money?]

I responded: [Then Whitney is being unreasonable. Uncle Sherman is broke, yet she's still thinking about using money to have fun with her boyfriend. Doesn't she care that her dad is lonely at home with nothing to do? We should live according to our means.]

[When I first started university, I had nothing and relied on working hard to finish my studies. Whitney is just as capable; she can do it, too!]

[And anyway, I only make three thousand dollars a month. How could I possibly give out a hundred thousand dollars? You're asking for too much!]

Whitney realized she wouldn't be getting any money from me.

She got directly angry.

In the family group, she started throwing sarcastic comments my way.

She messaged: [Cordelia, stop pretending to be poor. Aunt Rosalind said you've bought a house in the big city.]

[Since you bought a house in the city, giving me a hundred thousand dollars should be a piece of cake for you.]

[Besides, we're family. If you won't give me money, are you planning to save it for strangers? If you ever need help, don't blame me and my dad for not coming to your aid! Cordelia, don't forget. Aside from Grandpa, my dad is the only man left in the family!]

Whitney's words infuriated me.

I felt like she was hinting at my father's death.

I immediately began to retaliate.

I messaged in the group: [Whitney, what exactly are you proud of? Are you boasting that my dad is dead while yours is still alive?]

[If your dad is so capable, why don't you ask him for money? Why are you bothering me?]

[You know your dad can't provide, so why not at least treat me with a little respect? Who are you trying to impress with your arrogance?]

[Even my dad has passed, he would always be your father's older brother!]

Whitney replied: [Cordelia, just wait. Your mom is here cooking for Grandpa and Grandma, and Grandpa has already criticized your mom for not raising you well! If you don't apologize to me today, just wait to see your mom get scolded!]

I replied: [I can't believe how malicious you are. If my mom gets scolded, will that make your family rich? You're really ridiculous!]

Whitney stopped responding.

Just as I was enjoying my outburst,

my mother's message in the group felt like a bucket of cold water poured over me.

She said: [Whitney, Cordelia is just playing around with you! Don't take her too seriously.]

[She hasn't had anyone to discipline her for years while I've been away, so she doesn't know how to behave. You're right.]

[Don't worry, if Cordelia doesn't give you money for the trip, I will! I keep my promises!]

I stared blankly at my mother's message.

I instinctively wanted to ask where my mother was getting the money from.

Every month, I deposited an extra twenty thousand dollars into Rosalind's account on top of her living expenses, asking her to keep it safe for me.

Because I trusted Rosalind, I had never asked how much she had saved.

A month ago, when I bought the house, Rosalind transferred seventy thousand dollars to me.

At that time, she even expressed her guilt, saying she felt useless and that with the money I sent her, that was all she had.

She said she felt sorry that she couldn't help me more while I was struggling in the big city.

But before I could say anything, I saw a system message.

[You have been removed from the group chat.]