100
The word exploded in Lucas’s ears like a bomb, making his entire mind go blank. For a moment, he couldn’t even breathe. His eyes widened in disbelief, lips trembling, as he tried to process what he had just heard.§
He had loved me for three years. Our relationship had once been full of warmth and deep affection. He never thought–never dared to imagine–that his own mother could have betrayed both of us in such a cruel way.
He remembered clearly–how Sandra had once asked me to hand over all my money to her.
“You’ll be my daughter–in–law eventually when you marry Lucas,” she had said with a sweet but condescending smile. “You young people don’t know how to handle money. Just give it all to me for safekeeping–it’s better that way.“}
I politely refused.
After that, her attitude shifted completely. She began treating me coldly, even openly opposing my relationship with Lucas.
“It seems like you don’t love Lucas that much. You’re so stingy–can’t even trust me with a little money,” she snapped.
No matter how I tried to explain, she refused to listen.
My father had once told me: “A woman must always have money in her hands. Otherwise, people will trample over her.“>
I remembered that advice clearly.
I understood that Sandra was a woman who had struggled. She had raised Lucas alone and endured many hardships. I respected her for that. That’s why I was willing to help her when she asked for support–but that didn’t mean I would hand over every last cent I had.
Then came the day Lucas was reportedly kidnapped.
He had gone out for a meeting and didn’t return. Sandra got a call demanding ransom and immediately came to me, crying and begging on her knees.
I still remember how she clutched my arm, sobbing, “Please, Zoe–save my son!”
The thought of Lucas, bruised and beaten, suffering who knew what kind of abuse, shattered me. Without hesitation, I gave her everything. I drained all my accounts. I didn’t even stop to think.
But in my panic, I missed something important.
Sandra never paid a single penny of her own money.
Lucas had always remembered that incident. It was one of the reasons he cherished me more after the fact he always said he owed me his life.
But now, hearing the truth from his mother’s mouth, he was devastated.
1
*
“So… the kidnapping–it was fake?” His voice was hoarse, disbelieving. “You staged all of that? Just to take Zoe’s money?“>
Sandra didn’t even try to hide it. She crossed her arms, unrepentant.
“What’s the big deal? It was just a test. Besides, didn’t it prove her sincerity? You were so touched back then, weren’t you?”
“Mom!” Lucas’s voice cracked, full of pain. “Do you even realize what you did? Zoe was pregnant back then! She lost our child trying to save me! And now you’re telling me none of it was real?!“>
His voice trembled. He couldn’t stop the ache from creeping into every part of his body. His heart felt like it was being crushed from the inside.
“Zoe…” he whispered, almost to himself. “If she had known the truth…”
Sandra froze. “What child?”
www
Lucas’s face contorted in anguish. Back then, he had kept it a secret from her. He was afraid the loss would upset her, especially since she always dreamed of having a grandson. He never told her the truth.
Now, looking at his broken expression, Sandra understood. For the first time, a flicker of guilt stirred inside her.
There were two things she had always wanted in life: endless money and a grandchild. With both, she believed she could finally enjoy her old age in peace.
For a brief second, Sandra wondered–Had she gone too far?”
But the thought passed just as quickly.
No, she told herself. I’m not wrong.
In her heart, I was never good enough. Even if I had handed her everything she wanted, she still didn’t like me.”
Because once she met Emily, everything changed.
Emily was sweeter, more agreeable. She called Sandra “Mom” in public, went shopping with her, pampered her with compliments, and never once questioned how she spent money.
Sandra loved that.
She loved the attention, the flattery. She loved the way Emily made her feel like royalty.
Her own face, still well–maintained, bore no wrinkles of time. Her clothes, all high–end and custom–made, came from the same boutique Emily introduced her to. Meanwhile, I–who believed money should be earned and not wasted–never bought anything luxurious for myself.
Lucas closed his eyes.”
He remembered the days when we had nothing–when we picked up recyclable trash, worked minimum–wage jobs, and took turns eating just to save money. We struggled together, built a business together, and fought for a future together.
.
8:59 AM
During that time, Sandra had money–my money. But she never gave them back. Not even once.
Lucas’s chest tightened. He suddenly realized that he didn’t know his mother at all.
His voice was quiet, but every word was like a knife.
“Mom… do you love money more than your own son?”
