Stepfather's Conspiracy: What Should I Do?

My mother's face turned dark.

"Did you buy this for her?"

Jeremy, trying to stay calm, quickly explained, "Susan needed a phone. I was worried about her."

Is this a regular mobile phone?!

My mother slammed her chopsticks down.

"And you rented her an apartment? Do you know how dangerous it is for a girl to live alone off-campus?!"

She stormed out, and Jeremy stumbled after her.

An hour later, they both returned, looking furious.

She had brought back all the items from the rental and questioned him one by one.

"Susan is about to start her final year of high school. Why did you buy her all this? What were you thinking?"

"The child is under a lot of academic pressure. I just wanted to help her relax. I'm sorry, Monica. I should have discussed it with you first."

"Jeremy, this isn't helping—it's spoiling her!" my mom snapped back.

"Monica, don't be upset. Your heart isn't in the best shape..."

"I'm Susan's stepfather. I don't know how to make her happy, but I was afraid that discussing it with you would just worry you more. Monica, I was foolish. I chose the wrong approach."

My mom softened a bit.

Over the years, she had been busy with her business, leaving most of the household matters to my stepfather.

He had been good to her even before they got married, pursuing her with genuine care. They didn't get together at the time only because my grandmother objected.

Now, with their past history and his attentiveness to the family, my mom was starting to let go of her anger.

Seeing that my mom was about to calm down, I decided to intervene.

"Mom, don't smash the computer—it's not worth it. Uncle Jeremy just helped me load 300 dollars into a game."

"Jeremy! You told me that 300 dollars was for Susan's tutoring classes!"

Another round of chaos in the living room.

Jeremy's face turned beet red, unable to find an excuse.

I gracefully made my exit.

There's no way Jeremy would have enrolled me in tutoring classes.

Thanks to him in my past life, I barely studied at all.

Whenever important exams were approaching, he'd take me out for fun—whether it was an amusement park or an arcade, he didn't hesitate.

The next day.

Jeremy brought out breakfast, forcing a bitter smile.

"I just wanted to make you happy, Susan, but now I'm the bad guy in everyone's eyes."

I joined in the act: "Sorry, Uncle Jeremy. I didn't expect Mom to be so upset."

"As long as you understand, Susan, that's enough. It's okay—we're family."

"Oh, by the way, Uncle Jeremy, is Emma coming to stay with us?"

"How did you know..."

"Even though I'm moving back home, Emma can't stay in my room. But we do have that storage room—she can squeeze in there, right?"

Jeremy's smile visibly twitched.