Chapter 1: Painful past

Early in the morning, when the dew drops are still sleeping on the leaves. The faint sunlight still lurks behind the gray clouds in the sky. Because it is winter, everything seems to put on a gloomy color.

A cold wind blew, and I saw pedestrians in the street cowering in their collars. I let out a breath and rubbed my hands which were shaking from the cold. Then gently took mother's hands, which were turning pale from the cold, and began to breathe to give them warmth.

"Mom, are you okay?" I looked and asked my mother. My mother's face was pale from the cold. The lips are also dry which starts to become chapped.

The middle-aged woman shook her head, then gave a reluctant smile to indicate that she was fine. I know my mother is not fine with asthma. But I know my mom always pretends to be okay so as not to worry me.

The cold of winter reminds me of the days of living paternal grandparents' house. That is a large luxury mansion but without the warmth of an ordinary house. I still remember the cold winter days, sitting by the fireplace with my parents. At that time, Mom will tell good stories and precious memories that she had. Those are precious memories for me. At that time, I thought I was the luckiest and happiest child in the world.

"Achoo."

    My mother's sneeze pulled me from the past to the present. Looking at mom, although she couldn't stand the cold, she still tried. This makes me feel heartbroken.

It was as if my mother could feel the thoughts running through my head. Mom took my hand and walked away.

I suddenly thought back to what happened in the past year. Reflect on all the tragedies that have happened in my life. Everything changed so suddenly that I thought I was just dreaming a nightmare, everything was not real.

Everything started to turn upside down from the day my mother and I were kicked out of the house by our paternal grandparents. They said they didn't want to see my mother and me in this house anymore. The simple reason is that they have never considered me and my mother part of their family.

The only thing that made them give in and accept our presence was because of my father. Also their only son. However, after the sudden death of my father, that family had no reason to keep us.

If anyone asks why that family can treat my mother and me so cruelly. I couldn't do anything but smile and titter. Because before, the marriage of my mother and father was a marriage without the consent of both families.

My father's family was noble and rich, and my mother's family was just a poor family.

My father's family was noble and rich, and my mother's family was just a poor family.

At first, my mom did not agree with my father's confession. Because she knows my dad is a child of an influential family. But in the end, my mother agreed to his confession because of the sincerity she felt from my father. 

But even if my parents love each other, it must be very difficult to overcome all the challenges. They tried and sacrificed a lot just to protect their love. Everything was still a huge challenge at that time.

It's a difference in social status. Because they are not of the same status, their love is forbidden from the beginning. Despite all objections, my parents are still married and have me. I am proof of their love.

The thought is that after the children have settled down, both families will no longer prohibit it. But instead of protesting, my mother received estrangement from her husband's family. Having a reputation as the bride of a prestigious family, but the price that my mother has to pay is too high. 

Although she is my father's wife and the bride in the family. But everyone in that house despises my mother. Even a maid can bully my mother. 

My mom left her whole family for love. And then my mother suffered with that very choice of hers. Every time my father was not at home, my mother fell into loneliness and despair. At that time I couldn't imagine how strong my mother had to be able to get through those horrible things.

I was too young then to understand the hardships my mother had to go through. But I know, no matter how much my mother suffers. Mom will make it through. Because there's always me and my dad by her side.

But it is often said that happiness is short-lived. Once, my father and I took my mother to the doctor, but the whole family had an accident. My mother and I were lucky to survive, but my father did not. Despite the doctor's best efforts. Although my mother and I prayed a lot, it seems that God did not hear my request. He has left my mother and me forever with everyone's tears and pain. Also because of that sudden departure. People think that all the blame is on my mother and me.

I can understand why they are like that. I understand at that time they were very sad because they lost the only son they loved so much. But why do they treat me like this? My mother and I both suffered greatly. They lost their children, my mother lost her husband, and I lost my father.

We are also victims. We all carry the same pain. But why is it that my mother and I are at fault, that is something that neither I nor my mother wants.

Even though my mother was on her knees begging, crying, and even shouting, that family still ruthlessly kicked my mother and me out in the night. I still can't forget the image of my mother crying hoarsely. But the answer was still the cold, heartless gaze of that cruel family.

At that time, I felt useless, because I couldn't protect the people I loved. It was the darkest and most difficult time of my life. Without my mother by my side, I don't know how I would have gotten through it.