Chapter 3

I panicked, thinking this was a textbook case of postpartum depression.

After discussing it with my parents, my mom became so anxious she discharged herself from the hospital that very day.

My parents gave Elliott a stern scolding, but Elliott shrugged nonchalantly and said, "I can't help it. I'm already exhausted every day, and now you expect me to take care of the baby? That's impossible.

"Mom's out of the hospital now, right? You can just take the baby and care for him yourselves! I'm your only son; if you won't help me, who will?"

My parents sighed in resignation. To give Celeste some much-needed rest, we decided to bring Oliver to our home.

Worried that my mom was overworked, I took the initiative to care for Oliver on weekends and after work.

Once Oliver was with us, Celeste's depression completely vanished.

Elliott and Celeste also stopped arguing.

Celeste would visit occasionally to see Oliver, but sometimes, she wouldn't come by for an entire week.

She spent her days dressed to the nines, going shopping and eating out.

I looked at the crying Oliver in my arms, feeling hopeless.

She was the one who gave birth, yet I was the one left to deal with the stress and exhaustion.

Still, I never once complained because Celeste truly understood me.

Whenever my parents pressured me to get married, she was the only one who firmly stood by my side.

"Aurora doesn't want to get married, so don't force her!

"Does marriage guarantee happiness? You're just pushing her into a pit of fire!"

I was deeply moved as she linked her arm through mine and smiled warmly.

"Aurora, staying single is great! Who says you have to get married at a certain age?

"You earn your own money, have a promising future, and are surrounded by family and friends who care for you. Isn't being single so much freer? Don't let others' opinions bother you. I'll always support you!

"Just focus on raising our Oliver! When he grows up and becomes successful, how could he possibly forget his dear aunt?

"When you're old, Oliver will take care of you!"

I genuinely believed Celeste cared about me, and I grew even closer to her.

And now, I realized that she intended for me to spend all my money on Oliver.

She was kind to me simply because she was worried that once I had my own family and child, I wouldn't be as good to Oliver.

Over the years, I poured my heart and soul into Oliver, giving him everything I could.

From the moment he was born, I paid for his formula and diapers.

As he grew older, I bought him clothes and toys.

I took him to amusement parks, bought him snacks and fruits, and even enrolled him in early education classes.

But it turned out that wasn't enough for Celeste. What she really wanted was for me to buy Oliver a house and a car and even fund his wedding!

I thought to myself, "Why on earth should I take on Celeste's responsibilities?"

It was laughable, utterly absurd!

When we returned home from the supermarket, Celeste was already there.

She looked at the large shopping bags in my hands and smiled brightly.

"Oliver, you've made Aunt Aurora buy you so many things again! That's so naughty of you!

"Next time, you can't do this again. Aunt Aurora works so hard to earn her money!"

Oliver nodded with an innocent expression.

Perhaps my earlier encouragement stayed with him because he glanced up at me thoughtfully.

Then, he turned to Celeste and blurted out, "I get it, Mom! These things are all too cheap. We should have Aunt Aurora save up to buy me jewelry, a house, and a car!"

Oliver's words left everyone stunned.