Chapter 2

Ethan took Jessica home, and I collapsed on the sofa, lost in thought.

My son Ethan had been obedient and sensible since childhood, did well in school, got into a prestigious university, and after graduation used his own abilities to get into a major tech company.

I could say he'd never given me any trouble.

But I never expected I'd stumble so badly on his marriage.

Jessica was his coworker. Ethan fell for her at first sight.

"She's extremely capable, she's been involved in so many major projects."

"She has a great personality, everyone at the company likes her."

"There are a lot of factions at the company. If she hadn't warned me, I would have offended people."

"When we work overtime, she always orders takeout for me."

...

This was Ethan's first relationship.

Of course I wanted to bless it, but Jessica was not only ten years older than him, she was also divorced, and even had a five-year-old son!

What I didn't expect even more was that Ethan would go on a hunger strike and threaten to die for her sake.

A mother can probably never win against her son, so I gave in and tried hard to convince myself to accept them.

But I never imagined that this woman Jessica would encourage Ethan to get a vasectomy!

I run beauty salons—my job is dealing with women. I knew her little schemes crystal clear.

Ethan's hunger strike for her gave her confidence. She just wanted to use Ethan to control me.

As long as I still wanted grandchildren, I'd have to listen to her.

But what made me even angrier was Ethan.

I didn't believe he didn't know how important the vasectomy was, how angry and upset I'd be when I found out, but he still did it.

He was just relying on being my only son, convinced I couldn't do anything about it.

Instantly, a thought I couldn't control popped up.

I was forty-seven this year, healthy—I was completely in time to have another one!

When Ethan came home, I was still wildly tempted by that thought.

He sat down across from me, somewhat unhappy as he asked, "Mom, today when Jessica mentioned my vasectomy, if I hadn't interrupted, were you going to get angry?"

I stared at him sharply and asked, "You got a vasectomy without saying a word. Shouldn't I be angry?"

Ethan froze and said, "That's not what I meant."

"Mom, you've always opposed us being together.

Jessica doesn't feel secure, so that's why I came up with the vasectomy idea.

Don't blame her."

I didn't believe a word of this!

But the deed was already done.

Arguing now about whose idea it was had no meaning.

I looked at him steadily and asked with utmost seriousness, "Ethan, I'm asking you one last time.

If I still don't agree, will you still insist on marrying Jessica?"

Ethan suddenly stood up and said emotionally, "Mom, didn't we already agree?

Why are you going back on your word?"

"Anyway, she's the only person I'll love in this life!"

"If I can't marry her, I'd rather die!"

"Mom, don't make me hate you!"

Hearing Ethan say "don't make me hate you," I laughed coldly inside and completely let go of that last shred of hope.

Have another one. I made the decision instantly.

I said calmly, "Ethan, you're not young anymore, and you're about to get married and start a family with someone else.

From now on, I won't interfere in your affairs. You make your own decisions."

After a pause, I said meaningfully, "You chose this partner yourself. I hope you won't regret it."

Ethan's obsession with Jessica was obvious to the naked eye, but the way Jessica looked at Ethan wasn't as passionate as how she looked at my Hermès Birkin bag.

Unfortunately, Ethan didn't notice and kept singing Jessica's praises to me.

On the surface I listened attentively, but inside I was already screening candidates to father my child.

Over ten years ago, when Ethan's dad was secretly meeting his mistress, he died in a car accident.

After that, I never remarried for Ethan's sake, but I also had needs, so I dated a few boyfriends.

My current one was a company employee.

His family had difficulties and I helped them out, then later he got into my bed under the guise of repaying me.

He was young and handsome, so I just went along with it.

He'd been my underground lover for several years without any official status, never actively asked for anything, never used my influence to suppress anyone, and instead worked hard for the company.

Almost instantly, I made my decision. Him it was.

I took out my phone and sent him a message.

I'm coming to your place tonight to stay over.