Chapter 2

The birthday party was scheduled for 10 AM two days later. Early that morning, I arrived at the restaurant. I double-checked the menu and the event schedule, making sure nothing was overlooked.

Most of the attendees today were Giovanni's relatives. My own parents hadn't come.

Years ago, I'd gone against their wishes to adopt these illegitimate sons, and my parents had nearly had heart attacks when they found out.

Even after all these years, they still didn't understand why I chose to jump into a burning pit, raising someone else's children, instead of living a normal life.

Ivan and Ruth arrived in the hall, supported by others. They headed straight for the head table and sat down.

Simon, Giovanni's brother, and Julia, his sister, with their families, sat on either side.

They crowded around my sons, leaving no room for me.

"Elliotte, what are you waiting for? Pour drinks for Mom and Dad."

Julia grabbed some nuts from the table and glanced at me. She hadn't married well, not only suffering domestic abuse but also being scorned for not having sons.

Now, at the ripe old age of 40, she’d tried for a third child and finally had a son. Of course, she started acting all high and mighty, walking with a newfound confidence.

My two sons, sitting in the middle, tried to stand up and help. But Ivan and Ruth immediately pressed them back down.

"Eric, Gabriel, come on, chat with me."

"Look at these two handsome young men, so much like Giovanni."

"I think they look more like Christine," Simon interjected.

Ivan and Ruth shot him a fierce glare, and he quickly shrank back into his seat, not daring to speak.

I circled the main table, serving tea one moment, pouring drinks the next.

My sons couldn't bear to watch any longer, so they pulled up a chair between them and pressed me into it.

"Mom, our birthday is your day of sacrifice. Please sit down and rest."

At these words, everyone at the table had varied expressions.

Julia even let out a mocking smile.

"If Giovanni knew Elliotte raised his sons so well, he'd be thrilled."

"Ahem, ahem." Ivan cleared his throat twice, and Julia closed her mouth.

"Elliotte, on such a wonderful day, I have something I want to talk to you about," Ruth said, her eyes darting, looking at me with a smile.

"Please tell me."

"You see, Eric and Gabriel are going off to college soon. It must be so empty living in a three-bedroom house all by yourself."

"Once they start school, your dad and I will move in. I'll cook for you while you're at work."

So that was Ruth's plan. My parents had paid for the house I lived in. It was originally supposed to be in Giovanni's name.

But six months into our marriage, he drove off with his first love and got into a car accident.

Both of them died. The next time I saw him, he was just a handful of ashes.

My parents saw how hard it was for me and helped me with the mortgage, so the house was only in my name. Now that the kids were grown, they were eyeing my house.

"Mom, it's not that I won't let you stay. Eric and Gabriel will be studying abroad in the future. So I've already sold the house and plan to move into a one-bedroom apartment, using the remaining money to fund their education."

Ivan's face turned ashen, and he slammed his hand on the table.

"You're Giovanni's daughter-in-law! Why didn't you discuss such a big matter with the family?"

I looked surprised. "Isn't everything I'm doing for Giovanni's children?"

"What about the money from the sale? Put it with me; I'll save it for you. I don't trust you with money; you're too careless," Ruth said.

Normally, if I framed everything as being for the children's good, they usually wouldn't object. But today, Ivan and Ruth were acting unusually, as if now that their sons were in college, I was no longer needed.

Thinking about this, I calmly said, "I've entrusted the money to a lawyer and put it into a growth fund. Every month, Eric and Gabriel will receive $10,000 until they turn 40."

When Ivan heard this, his tightly furrowed brows relaxed. "At least you have some foresight, knowing to save the money for my grandsons. And don't buy another house; just rent one. Don't waste money."