My son took the mic at the $19,000 wedding I paid for and thanked his mother-in-law as his “real mom.” The room froze. I didn’t say a word… until I delivered the moment he’ll regret forever.

Carol arrived two hours later, accompanied by Ashley and Ethan. All three looked nervous when the doorman announced them.

“They can come up,” I said through the intercom.

When the elevator doors opened on my floor, their astonished faces were my first victory.

“Holy mother,” Ashley murmured, looking at the apartment. “How can you afford this?”

Ethan walked through the living room as if he were in a museum, touching the furniture in disbelief. Carol maintained her composure, but I could see the confusion in her eyes.

“Please sit,” I said, gesturing to the Italian leather sofa. “Would you like something to drink? I have French wine, scotch whiskey, champagne.”

Carol politely declined, but Ethan couldn’t hide his bewilderment.

“Mom, where did you get the money for all this?”

That question was exactly what I had been waiting for. I sat across from them, crossed my legs elegantly, and smiled.

“My dear Ethan, there are many things about your adoptive mother that you never bothered to ask.”

Ethan leaned forward, his eyes fixed on me.

“What do you mean by that, Mom?”

Continue reading…