As for me?
I was the one who'd become a homeless old woman.
Drifting from place to place, day after day.
People envied me, thought I was lucky to be traveling year-round. But how could they possibly know the truth? What I really wanted was so simple: to live with my family. To help look after my grandchildren someday, cook meals, do a little housework, and enjoy the warmth of having loved ones under one roof.
But Maxine refused to live with her in-laws.
That was the one condition she'd set before the wedding.
My son told me about it, and for the sake of his happiness, I agreed.
What I never expected was just how fiercely she'd resist my presence. I only stayed over once in a while, a single night here and there, and even that was too much for her.
"Babe, I didn't forget."
"You say you didn't forget?"
"I really didn't."
"Then tell me. What did you promise me before we got married?"
"I promised you that I'd never let my mom live under the same roof as us."
"And now? Have you kept that promise?"
"Babe, Mom only stayed one night last time. She's been away for so long, and she finally came back for a visit. She said she missed her son. Is one night really that unreasonable?"
"Missed her son?"
A sharp scoff.
"She just can't stand that her precious baby boy listens to another woman now. Your father passed away young. It was just the two of you, leaning on each other all those years. She got used to having you by her side. We've barely been married. And she's already traveling all this way to stay the night? She's doing it on purpose. Treating everything I said like it meant nothing. Putting me in my place."
"Babe, Mom isn't like that!"
"Terence, whose side are you on?"
"Yours, of course. Always yours."
"Then stop making excuses for her."
"But—"
"I'm furious right now. One more word in her defense, and you're sleeping in the bathroom tonight."
The conversation ended there.
My son didn't dare say another word.
A few minutes later, the two of them came out carrying dishes.
Maxine smiled sweetly and poured me half a glass of wine.
"Mom, Terence tells me you're leaving tonight." She tilted her head, her expression the picture of regret. "What a shame. I was really hoping to spend a few more days with you. I had no idea you'd be in such a rush. I'm not much of a drinker, but let me have a little with you."
I looked at that hollow smile on my daughter-in-law's face.
I didn't call her out on it.
I just smiled and nodded.
After dinner, the two of them went to the kitchen to wash up. Maxine's voice carried through the doorway again: "Are you going to make your mother leave, or do I have to?"
Hearing those words, my resolve hardened.
Before, I'd thought Maxine simply had a bit of a princess complex. A few quirks. But as long as she stayed faithful to my son, as long as the two of them built a good life together, I could make sacrifices. It didn't matter. After all, my boy had grown up without a father. The hurt he'd carried was far more than I'd ever seen. Once he'd grown up and started a family of his own, all I wanted was for him to be happy.
But this woman was far more vicious than I'd imagined. Unreasonable. And the worst part was that honeyed facade, all warmth and sweetness to your face while the knife twisted behind your back.
It sent a chill straight through me.
They'd only just gotten married. Given enough time, I couldn't bring myself to believe my son would ever find happiness with a woman like her.
Soon, the two of them finished the dishes and came out of the kitchen.
My son hemmed and hawed for a long time.
Finally, he forced the words out.
"Mom... when are you leaving?"
