Chapter 1

My son got a girlfriend who's ten years older than him, divorced, and has a five-year-old son.

Of course I didn't approve. I strongly opposed it, but my son went on a hunger strike for a week, threatening to die.

Watching my son grow so weak he could barely speak, I gave in.

On the day we met the parents, she said arrogantly, "Ethan said he'll treat my son as his own, and to put my mind at ease, he's already gotten a vasectomy."

"Of course, if your family treats my son well, I might consider letting Ethan get a reversal surgery."

My son also rushed to declare his loyalty, "Until Jessica agrees, I absolutely won't have children of my own."

I completely gave up hope. I said calmly, "Whatever you two decide is fine. I have no objections."

When my son brought Jessica home for dinner, I didn't make things difficult for her or show her a cold face. I received her with a calm heart.

She wore elaborate makeup and dressed young, but standing next to my twenty-three-year-old son, you could see the age difference, though it wasn't too dramatic.

I breathed a sigh of relief inwardly and smiled as I made small talk with her.

After chatting for about half an hour, I took out an envelope I'd prepared beforehand and handed it to her.

Inside was eleven thousand dollars, which by our local standards was already quite generous.

When Jessica took it, she thought she was being subtle, but her fingers obviously pinched to gauge the thickness.

The corners of her mouth turned down. Clearly she thought it was too little.

I'd originally thought that since my son loved her so much, she must have some redeeming qualities I hadn't discovered yet, and I wanted to talk with her more.

Now I'd completely lost interest.

I made an excuse about having work at the company, preparing to end this meeting.

That's when Jessica spoke up.

"Since Ethan and I are planning to get married, we'll be family from now on.

There's something I don't want to hide from you."

"Ethan always says you're an open-minded mother. I believe you'll understand."

Hearing this, I had a bad feeling.

Sure enough, Jessica's attitude seemed respectful, but her eyes were full of provocation as she said, "Ethan said he'd treat my child as his own, but words are just words.

So to put my mind at ease, he voluntarily got a vasectomy."

I could hardly believe what I was hearing.

A vasectomy?

Suppressing my anger, I looked sharply at my son.

"Ethan, is what she's saying true?"

My son's eyes flashed with guilt as he explained, "Mom, Andy is still young, at a sensitive age. He often has nightmares at night because he's scared."

"Not only is Jessica worried, I'm worried too, so I went and... got the vasectomy."

Jessica pretended to comfort me. "This is all temporary. As long as I'm sure your family truly treats my son well, I'll agree to let Ethan get a reversal surgery."

A surge of anger shot up, burning so hot my whole body trembled.

What did she mean by "she's sure"? "She'll agree"?

But before I could demand an explanation, my son was already rushing to show his loyalty to Jessica.

"Don't worry, I'll never go back on what I promised you!"

"Until you agree, I absolutely won't have children of my own."

My son's words were like a bucket of cold water poured over me, chilling me to the bone. In that moment, I completely gave up hope.

I said calmly, "Whatever you two decide is fine. I have no objections."