Chapter 3

But the moment she saw me, she burst into hysterical laughter.

"Oh my god, this is hilarious! You look so ridiculous! That color makes you look like an old witch!"

Embarrassed, I rubbed my lips raw trying to wipe it off.

"But... didn't you give this to me?"

"I didn't *buy* it for you. It was just a tester our brand manager was going to throw away. She’s about your age, but she has way more class than you!"

I stood there frozen. After she finally finished mocking me and left, I hurriedly capped the lipstick and hid it at the very bottom of my bag.

I constantly internalized her abuse, telling myself that I was just a country bumpkin who didn't deserve nice things. My deep insecurity made me even more obedient. I hid in her apartment like a ghost, doing chores and never daring to step outside.

But now, I realized Chloe just wanted to tear me down to satisfy her own pathetic ego. She wanted to erase the fact that she came from a poor country background.

I knew she would make excuses to avoid taking me to the hospital, so I packed my bags and took the earliest bus to the city myself.

But I wasn't going to her apartment. I was going to the best hospital in the city for a full physical exam.

I couldn't rely on Chloe for my retirement. I just wanted to live my remaining years pain-free.

The results showed I was perfectly healthy. It turned out all those chronic pains in my past life were just from being overworked as her maid.

In my past life, when Chloe saw her rich colleague buy a townhouse with her parents' help, she threw a tantrum demanding a four-bedroom apartment in the city center.

My life savings were barely enough for the down payment.

Later, she blew her own salary on luxury brands and forced me to sell our family land in Indiana to help her pay the mortgage.

Thinking of this,

I immediately took my savings and bought a beautifully furnished, cozy one-bedroom condo in cash.

Living alone was heaven.

Buying the place and moving in took me only a few days. During a walk, I discovered a Senior Lifelong Learning Center near my new home.

Seeing so many elegantly dressed seniors learning to sing and dance inside, my long-buried heart began to beat with excitement.

I had loved art when I was young. If I hadn't, I wouldn't have supported Chloe when she chose to major in such an expensive fashion degree.

But the harsh reality of life had bent my spine. After my divorce, as a single mother, I never had the luxury to stand tall, let alone dream of a life like this.

But now,

I walked right in.

"Hello, I’d like to sign up for classes!"

The young receptionist was startled by my enthusiasm. But seeing my bright eyes, she smiled and completed my registration in minutes.

"Ma'am, you've selected choir, painting, and smartphone applications. The tuition is $1,000 for the year. Would you like to pay, or should we bill your children?"

I waved my hand dismissively.

"I don't have a daughter. I'll pay for it myself."

At first, I was worried the instructors and classmates would look down on me because I was from the country.

But they were incredibly warm and welcoming.

Soon, my life became a dream: attending hobby classes by day and relaxing in my beautiful condo by night.

Until one day, right outside the Senior Center, I saw my furious daughter, Chloe, looking around wildly.