I took my daughter back to my parents’ home for National Day and went shopping with my mother at the mall when she suddenly said, “You’re actually quite selfish!”
At that moment, I was about to pay the bill and was taken aback, confused as to why she suddenly said that.
She muttered, “Although you’re very kind to me, you’re really not as generous as your brother!”
“Last time I was sick and hospitalized, you took all the 10,000 Dollars reimbursed by medical insurance!”
“Having a daughter like you, so petty with her own brother from your mother’s family, makes me feel ashamed!”
So it was about this!
But when my mother was hospitalized, I paid a total of 30,000 Dollars, all from my own pocket.
My brother used work as an excuse and didn’t even come to the hospital once.
Who else should the medical insurance reimbursement go to if not me?
And yet, my mother was fighting for my brother over this money.
I suddenly felt weary, so I sent my mother home and left.
I didn’t want to stay in that house any longer!
——
“Stop!”
My brother shouted from behind.
As soon as I turned around, he kicked me hard.
My back hit the wall with a crack, and sharp pain shot through my abdomen as if my insides had ruptured.
My face turned pale from pain, and I couldn’t get up for a long time.
My daughter burst into tears, terrified. My brother pointed at my face and cursed:
“How could anyone be so greedy?”
“You even took your own mother’s medical insurance money!”
My father sat on the sofa, teacup in his hand. Instead of stopping him, he frowned and said,
“Your brother is right. Hand over that 10,000 Dollars!”
“A married daughter coming home for money—what will people think if they find out?”
My mother came forward to help me, brushing dust off me.
“You’re old enough to know better!”
“You’ve really gone too far this time!”
“Your brother paid for our medical insurance. Naturally, the reimbursement should go to him!”
I gasped in anger:
“Your hospitalization cost 30,000 dollars, all paid by me. I even took annual leave to care for you.”
“What’s wrong with me taking the reimbursement money?”
My mother sighed. “Child… why are you so selfish?”
My brother jabbed a finger at my face, impatiently.
“Don’t you get it? You paid 30,000 dollars, but I bought the insurance, so the reimbursement belongs to me!”
I shot back, “I give our parents 3,000 dollars every month for their expenses. Isn’t that enough to cover their insurance?”
My brother slapped me hard.
“You should give them 30,000 a month. Being filial is your duty. You’re not here with them, so money is the least you can offer!”
“Ungrateful, stingy woman!”
His palm was broad and heavy. My head buzzed from the blow.
My cheek swelled, blood trickled from the corner of my lip, and the pain blurred my vision. My daughter ran over crying, shielding me. “Uncle, don’t hit my mom! She’s not stingy!”
My mother quickly pulled her away. “Emma Lane, stay out of this. You don’t understand. Your uncle is just teaching your mom how to behave!”
I covered my face and stared up in disbelief.
My brother had beaten me, and yet she said he was teaching me how to behave?
My mother saw my look and worried I’d stop giving her money.
