Rowan got upset when Angeline cried. He tried to patiently comfort her.
The more attention Angeline was given, the prouder she became. She spoke like she was the victim, but her eyes were full of spite and provocation.
She wailed, “Rowan, your father died so young. I struggled all my life to raise you alone. I guess my duty as a mother is complete now!
“I’m old and dying now. I’m not asking to be treated like your father was. I just want to spend more time with you and Rowan, but it’s okay. It’s all my fault, after all. I made you and your wife argue. I’ll just see myself out!”
I knew Angeline would not leave, so I stepped forward and grabbed Rowan, not allowing him to interfere.
Angeline walked to the door but saw me holding onto Rowan. She plopped down on the ground and started crying all over again.
“There goes your conscience! Rowan, you can’t forget your mother even though you have a wife! Boohoo!”
Angeline would never leave. This was not the first time she had done this. She had pretended to be weak to gain sympathy many times in the past. In the days when I got along with her, I got into trouble with her countless times because I was not cunning and ruthless enough.
She was trying her old tricks again, but she could not fool me twice.
However, she was still Rowan’s mother, after all. He felt bad being caught in the middle. As he watched his mother cry hard and remembered her cancer diagnosis, he immediately pushed my hand away.
