My son took the microphone at his $19,000 wedding, which I paid for, and thanked his mother-in-law, calling her his “real mother.” A deathly silence fell over the room. I didn’t say a word… until I caused a moment he’ll regret for the rest of his life.

“Stephanie, I think we’re all overreacting. We’re a family now. We should support each other.”

I smiled coldly.

Family? What an interesting word. Ethan made it clear that you’re his real family, Carol. I’m just the woman who raised him.

Ethan stood up abruptly.

“Enough. This is ridiculous. You’re behaving like a spoiled child.”

His words echoed through the apartment like a gunshot. Carol glared at him reproachfully.

“Ethan, don’t talk to your mother like that.”

But the damage has already been done.

“That’s it,” I said calmly. “The real Ethan, the one who gets furious when things don’t go his way.”

I went to my bag and took out my briefcase.

“Since we’re being honest, let me show you something.”

Open the folder that was on the coffee table. It contains photos of my properties.

“This is the office building where I live now. I inherited it from my father.”

Ethan moved closer to get a better look.

“I also own this apartment complex in the Polarmo district.”

Ashley gasped.

“And that shopping mall downtown.”

Their faces reflected utter disbelief. Carol looked at the photos as if they were foreigners.

“I also have investment accounts,” he continues, “and some other smaller properties.”

I closed the folder.

“My total net worth is $840,000.”

Ashley fainted. She literally collapsed on the sofa. Ethan rushed to her aid, and Carol left her with a newspaper.

“$840,000?” Ethan muttered. “You had $840,000 and you let me spend my savings on medical emergencies last year.”

That question revealed who he truly was. Even in that moment of shock, he couldn’t see beyond his own self-interest.

“Ethan,” I said quietly, “during this medical emergency, you didn’t even once ask me how I was feeling? Were you concerned about my mental health or were you only interested in the money?”

Carol helped Ashley sit up. The young woman was pale and trembling.

“I don’t understand,” he stammered. “If you had so much money, why did you act like you were poor? Why did you let us pay for things when you could do it yourself?”

His indignation was fascinating, as if I had stolen something from him.

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