I always knew my mother-in-law didn’t like me.
She believed I wasn’t good enough for Samuel, that I could never compare to Xandra—her son's childhood sweetheart who was beautiful, sweet-talking, and effortlessly charming.
It was only when Xandra married someone abroad and I became pregnant that she reluctantly acknowledged me as her daughter-in-law—for the sake of the child.
Even so, every time we met, she never spared me from her sharp-tongued ridicule.
In the past, Samuel would at least defend me a little. Not to mention that the day of the accident, he was the one who insisted on dragging me to the mall, saying he wanted to buy gifts for our soon-to-be-born child.
But now, his eyes were locked onto Xandra, filled with an undeniable tenderness.
Xandra cradled Apollo in her arms and playfully clung to Samuel’s arm.
"Samuel, did you hear that? Auntie has officially recognized me as her goddaughter! My dear brother, have you prepared a gift for your little sister?"
Samuel pinched her cheek indulgently, half scolding and half spoiling her. "You’re so mischievous. Don’t call me brother."
Yet, even as he spoke, he had someone deliver 92 luxury mink coats—each from a high-end designer brand, complete with matching jewelry.
"I know you love fashion, but you’re still in your postpartum recovery. You need to keep warm. Winter lasts three months—exactly 92 days—so you’ll have a different one to wear each day."
Xandra giggled in delight and planted a kiss on his cheek, looking like an innocent, pampered girl.
"Wow! Some of these are next season’s releases, and they’re all limited editions! You managed to get them for me in advance—Samuel, you really do spoil me."
She turned her gaze at me, feigning concern. "But you’ve given me so many gifts... Lydia won’t be mad, will she?"
Standing there in my bloodstained clothes, I looked like a complete fool next to her dazzling, extravagant display.
For a brief moment, Samuel hesitated, as if suddenly remembering I was still there. He awkwardly tried to explain. "Lydia, it’s not what you think. Xandra has been living abroad for so long—you know how different their customs are."
"And the coats... I just heard that she had also recently given birth. Her husband isn’t here, and since we grew up together, I just thought—"
Before he could finish, Apollo suddenly started crying.
Xandra gasped in surprise. "Oh no, is Apollo hungry again? Mommy will take you upstairs to feed you!"
She then turned to me with a falsely apologetic smile.
"Lydia, don’t misunderstand. I’m just used to comforting my own baby. Besides, every time I say this, Apollo gets so happy!"
She cradled Apollo in her arms and started walking upstairs—only to suddenly lean weakly into Samuel’s chest, murmuring, "Sam, I feel a little dizzy..."
Samuel immediately shoved me aside and caught her in his arms, his expression full of worry.
"How could this happen? You must be feeling weak after childbirth. I told you to rest at the postpartum center! Come on, I’ll carry you upstairs."
My right leg was still bandaged from the accident.
With that sudden push, I lost my balance and collapsed onto the floor, pain shooting through me like a knife. But Samuel didn’t spare me a single glance.
Right in front of everyone, he scooped Xandra into a princess carry—holding both her and Apollo—before heading upstairs.
The room erupted with ridicule.
Mocking voices filled the air, dripping with contempt.
"No wonder Samuel dotes on Xandra. Not only is she beautiful, but she’s also kind-hearted enough to feed someone else’s child. Unlike this useless woman—so cheap and embarrassing. She can’t even tolerate a little leg pain and even took medicine while breastfeeding. How selfish!"
"Does she even deserve to be a mother? If you ask me, Xandra is more like Apollo’s real mother—she cares more about him, and look, even Apollo looks more like her! He probably doesn’t want to resemble that disgraceful woman. Xandra and Samuel make such a perfect couple. It’s a shame they never got married."
Instead of standing up for me, my mother-in-law looked at me with even greater disgust. She scoffed and snapped at me.
