1 I’d always favored my own son, crushing my stepson at every turn. The year they both brought their girlfriends home for Christmas for the first time, I rolled out the red carpet for my son’s girlfriend, serving her hand and foot. But my stepson’s girlfriend, on her very first visit, I put to work in the kitchen. I was the very picture of the evil stepmother. Later, when I was on my deathbed, my son and daughter-in-law said it was bad luck to even visit. They refused to see me. It was my stepson and his wife who hired a caregiver for me. As I looked at the two of them, my last breath was a sigh of regret. “Mom, what’s in the box? Hurry up and show us!” Hearing my son’s voice, I froze. My mind went blank for a solid two seconds. I blinked, the scene before me eerily familiar. Wasn’t this five years ago? The Christmas my son and stepson first brought their girlfriends home? But… that’s impossible. I died, didn't I? Could it be? Was I… reborn? Before I could unravel the thought, my son’s impatient voice prodded me again. I looked up at him, my gaze drifting to the woman beside him. Her face was a mask of pure anticipation, but behind it, I could almost see the vicious sneer she’d worn in my final days. My hand trembled, the gift box nearly tumbling into the pot of stew on the table. I jerked it back, shifting it to the side. Then, I turned to the other young woman at the table. “Jenna, dear,” I said, my voice steady. “This is a little something to welcome you to the family. I hope you and Ethan will be very happy together.” Confusion flickered across her face, but she reached out and accepted the box. I pulled my hand back and, without a moment’s hesitation, unclasped the cheap bracelet from my own wrist. “Claire,” I said, turning to my son’s girlfriend. “This was passed down from my mother. It’s yours now. I trust you’ll make my son happy.” The last words were ground out between clenched teeth. My little performance stunned the room into silence. All four of them stared at me, their minds clearly struggling to catch up. I simply picked up my fork and knife and began to eat, ignoring their collective shock. After my husband—their father—passed away, I’d made no secret of my preference. My biological son, Caleb, was my golden boy. My stepson, Ethan, was a constant reminder of my second-class status as a stepmother. So when they both brought their girlfriends home, my bias extended to them. I doted on Claire, my son's girlfriend, serving her the finest food and drink. Meanwhile, I treated Jenna with cold disdain, ordering her around as if she were the hired help. It was her first time in our home, yet I’d made her cook the entire Christmas dinner. Caleb had mentioned Claire wanted a nice bracelet. I, who usually pinched every penny, who bought myself costume jewelry for less than twenty dollars, had drained my savings. I spent thousands on the piece now in Jenna’s hands. Claire’s parents were notoriously greedy, demanding an outrageous sum of money before they’d "allow" her to marry. But because my son loved her, I was prepared to hand over my entire nest egg. I truly believed I had never done her wrong. Later, when it was time for me to be cared for, I chose to live with Caleb. When Claire was pregnant, I waited on her like she was a queen. But what did I get in return? They were embarrassed by me. They told their friends I was the live-in housekeeper. Worse, when I fell gravely ill, they called me a jinx, dumped me in a hospital, and never looked back. My own son wouldn’t even block his wife’s cruelty; he just stopped answering my calls. The chill of that betrayal was colder than death itself. With a nurse’s help, my heart heavy with shame, I called Ethan. I never expected him to come, but he did, with Jenna by his side. They brought me nourishing soups and gifts. They hired a full-time caregiver to see to my needs. I died without ever managing to say, “I’m sorry.” But now, realizing I’d been given a second chance, I’d changed the script. That bracelet was going to Jenna. I finally saw the truth. My daughter-in-law was a viper, and my son was a thankless leech. Ethan and his wife—they were the ones with kindness and decency in their hearts. You raise children so they’ll take care of you when you’re old. Well, if my own blood was a bad investment, then I would invest in the one I could count on. 2 The rest of the meal passed in a heavy, unnerving silence. Ethan and Jenna, both quiet by nature, ate without a word. Claire, on the other hand, was less subtle. When I bent down to pick up a dropped napkin, I saw her foot sliding away from Caleb’s under the table, a silent, angry kick. After dinner, Jenna instinctively rose to clear the plates. I glanced at Claire, who was already absorbed in her phone, and cleared my throat. “Jenna cooked this wonderful meal,” I announced. “So, Claire, you can do the dishes.” The smile on Claire’s face froze. “Oh,” she said, her voice dripping with disdain. “I don’t do dishes, Eleanor.” “Really? Who does them at your house, then?” I asked, feigning curiosity. “My mom, of course,” she said, as if it were the most obvious thing in the world. A bitter smile touched my lips. I must have been blind in my last life. Looking back, Claire wasn't close to her own parents; she was hardly the picture of a dutiful daughter. What on earth made me think she would ever take care of me? I let out a small, sharp laugh. “Well, you see, once you’re married, someone has to do them. Who’s it going to be in your new home?” Claire shot me a look, as if I were some kind of prehistoric relic. “We’ll hire a housekeeper, obviously. Right, Caleb?” She turned to my son, seeking his immediate agreement. And then I heard it, from my own flesh and blood. “Yeah,” Caleb said, without a hint of shame. “Or, you know, we’ll have you, Mom.” A cold sneer formed in my heart. They hadn’t even walked down the aisle, and they’d already cast me as their unpaid servant. Well, it made sense. That’s exactly what I was in my last life. This time, however, they were in for a bitter disappointment. In the end, it was Jenna who quietly stood up and washed the dishes. I knew Claire wouldn’t lift a finger, not even if I dragged her to the sink. In my previous life, I had cooked elaborate feasts every day just to convince her to stay a little longer. Now, I couldn’t wait for her to leave. While they were all chatting in the living room, I decided to slip away to my room to review my finances—my nest egg. But as I turned, I saw Caleb following me. He shut the door behind him, his voice an immediate accusation. “Mom, what is wrong with you today? Wasn’t that bracelet for Claire? Why did you give it to Ethan and Jenna?” His voice rose. “And you made Claire wash dishes on her first visit! Are you trying to sabotage my marriage before it even starts?” I shot him a dismissive glance and continued searching for the key to my lockbox. I didn’t bother explaining. “It’s my money. I’ll give my gifts to whomever I please.” He was genuinely angry now. “If you don’t treat Claire right, who’s going to take care of you when you’re old? You can’t possibly be thinking of relying on them, can you?” Without looking up, I replied flatly, “Yes. I am.” Why would I rely on them? So they could take my money and leave me to rot in a hospital? Caleb had always been the center of my universe, coddled and spoiled. I’d always given in to him. This was likely the first time he’d ever heard me speak to him with such finality. He just stood there, stunned, for a long moment. Finally, he spat out, “You’re acting possessed today,” and stormed out of the room. I ignored him and continued my search. It had been so long, I couldn't for the life of me remember where I'd hidden the key. Just then, a soft knock came at the door. It was Ethan. “Mom,” he said, holding out the gift box. “You should have this back.” I looked at the box in his hand, exasperated. “I gave that to your girlfriend. What’s the meaning of this?” “It’s too valuable,” he explained simply. I sighed. Ethan and Jenna, I swear, were too good for their own good. When his father was alive, I’d treated Ethan decently enough. But the moment he was gone, my kindness vanished. I knew what people thought of me—the wicked stepmother. I just never cared. And Jenna… I’d never once offered her a genuine smile. Yet here they were, this sweet, unassuming couple, still showing me respect. Honestly, if I were in their shoes, I’d hold a grudge. And that, right there, was the very reason my heart was finally, irrevocably changing. 3 I forced a smile, hoping it looked more friendly than it felt. “I know I haven’t been fair to you over the years, Ethan,” I said, a pang of guilt twisting inside me. After all, I’d practically shoved the gift in Claire’s face before changing my mind. “Now that you’ve found a wonderful woman, it’s only right that I give you a proper gift.” Thankfully, he just stood there in silence for a few moments before nodding. “Thank you, Mom.” I waved him off, and as he left, my fingers finally closed around the key. I opened the lockbox and pulled out my bank book. I stared at the balance: $200,000. In my last life, Claire’s parents had demanded a “bride price” of $188,000 before they would consent to the marriage. I’d handed it over without a second thought. But since I was choosing Ethan this time, this money was destined for him. Still, once bitten, twice shy. It was probably wise to keep a little something for myself, just in case. When I emerged from my room, the living room was empty. The walls in our house were thin. I could hear Caleb in his room, placating Claire, telling her I was just an old woman who didn't know any better and not to take it to heart. From Ethan's room, I heard Jenna’s soft voice telling him they needed to be good to me, to slowly repay my kindness. I paused for a beat, then returned to my room, took the bank book, and slipped it into my pocket. The New Year’s Eve broadcast had been on for a while, the sound of fireworks popping outside. Caleb and Claire emerged from their room, announcing they were going for a walk. Good riddance. I was glad to see them go. After the door clicked shut, I looked at Ethan and Jenna. I hesitated for a second. “You two should go out for a stroll as well.” They exchanged a look and their hands found each other. I knew that look. They had something they wanted to say to me. I searched my memory, trying to recall this specific day in my past life. Nothing seemed out of the ordinary, but then… a flicker. Something flashed in my mind. That’s right. There was something important. In my previous life, after dinner, Caleb and Claire had also gone out. Ethan had come to my room alone. He told me he and Jenna were planning to get married and he needed my help with the money for her family. Jenna’s parents were only asking for $100,000. But under my financial thumb, most of Ethan’s salary over the years had gone to supporting the household. He simply didn’t have that kind of money. I had refused him without a second thought. I was perfectly willing to give Caleb the money, but to give it to Ethan? It felt like a waste. I’d immediately insulted Jenna, sneering that she should take a good look at herself and ask if she was even worth that much. That conversation had soured the mood in the house for days. After the holidays, Ethan announced he was moving to another city for work. But before he left, he insisted we formally separate our finances and living arrangements. Of course, I refused. I wouldn’t admit it, but I knew Caleb was nowhere near as capable as Ethan. If Ethan left, who would support this family? But that time, Ethan was adamant. He put it to me bluntly: was I going to live with him, or with Caleb? I remembered the scene vividly. Caleb had exploded. “Mom, if you don’t stay with me, who’s going to look after Claire’s baby when it comes?” Ethan ignored him, his eyes fixed on me. “Mom, if you choose to come with me, Jenna and I will take care of you. If you choose him, I will still send you money to support you.” At the time, all I heard was Ethan’s cold, emotionless tone. I felt my own son needed me more. But now, thinking back… one was asking me to serve, the other was offering to provide for me. What a complete and utter fool I’d been. Snapping back to the present, I heard Ethan’s voice. “Mom, Jenna and I are planning to get married.” I looked at the two of them. Ethan was a straightforward man, and Jenna was a woman of few words. Honestly, I didn't care who he married, as long as he was happy. Remembering how their lives had flourished, I took a deep breath. “How much are they asking for?” I asked. Last time, Ethan had come to me in private, probably afraid I would reject him. This time, perhaps because of the bracelet, he’d brought Jenna with him to ask together. The room was quiet for a moment. “Jenna’s parents are asking for one hundred thousand,” he finally said. “Consider it a loan, Mom. I’ll pay you back.” I felt the bank book in my pocket. A part of me still stung at the thought of parting with the money. But I knew myself. When I was young, all I wanted was a man to rely on. Now that I was old, all I wanted was a son to care for me. I was getting on in years, and I wasn't some titan of industry. For me, this money was an investment. I made the wrong choice in my last life. I wasn't about to make the same mistake twice. But to my surprise, just as I pulled the bank book from my pocket and placed it on the table, before I could even begin to discuss the details, the front door burst open. Caleb and Claire were back. And the first thing his eyes landed on was the bank book on the table.
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