A Vengeful Ex-Wife

Whenever Gabriela and Maria-two dominant women-were in the same room, they would inevitably have a conflict.

In truth, they held no grudges, resentment, or malice against each other. It was just that they enjoyed being at each other's necks.

As time went by, no more quarrel ensued between them, and it made them feel like something was missing.

One day, Gabriela said to Maria, "Men and women should always split the bill. You can't let James pay for the bill every single time you two go out." It was true that she was feeling sorry for her son, but the reason she said this to Maria was for the sake of their harmonious relationship as husband and wife.

But Maria didn't share her sentiment. "Sorry, Mom, but I think men should pay more than women, especially in terms of material objects. If we pay equally, then what's the point of being in a relationship? In that case, I'd rather live a single woman's life. That way, I don't have to cook for him, give birth to children, or sleep with him." She could date a handsome, young man.

In reality, their relationship as in-laws wasn't that bad. On the surface, Gabriela was antagonistic of Maria, but she actually cared about her a lot.

It was just that she couldn't bear to see Maria being too aggressive.

Naturally, her words weren't enough to convince

Gabriela. "You're the black sheep of this family. It seems that getting rid of you should be the first thing we should do. You've always been quite proud of yourself. It wasn't that much of a problem, but now you're being too domineering and hateful!"

Maria smirked at her. "Mom, your son is lucky to have married me, but I, on the other hand, am misfortunate enough to have married into the Xi family!"

For countless times, Gabriela and Maria had debated against each other, and this time she failed to win the argument.

Once, when they couldn't agree on something, Gabriela cried in front of James and Maria, pretending to be the victim. "I only said that for your own good."

Realizing what she was doing, Maria began to sob as well. "Mom, you are so kind to us. It warms my heart."

James glanced at his wife and mother. "Stop pretending!"

Both women were left speechless. The same thought came to their minds. 'Was my acting deplorable?'

Helplessly, James shook his head as he looked at them. One of them was already nearing sixty years old, and the other was in her thirties, and yet they were still like children always at each other's throats. "Go upstairs and change your clothes. Neither of you can skip this party tonight!"

Hearing that, his mother and wife went upstairs together. They changed into the evening dresses that James had prepared for them in advance.

At the party, a gorgeous female celebrity approached Gabriela, trying to gain her favor while Maria was away.

Upon Maria's return, Gabriela frowned at her. "Where have you been?"

"What's wrong, Mom?"

Gabriela grabbed her hand. "When you left, there was a fly buzzing around my ears. It was so annoying."

Maria glanced at the celebrity and noticed her expression change. She instantly understood what her mother-in-law was trying to say. "I see. In that case, let me ask someone to get a flyswatter, Mom!" "Hurry up! What if it tries to pester James? He's a neat freak, you know! Don't let him get sick." "What the hell? She knows that my son is married, but she still has the gall to ask me about my son!' Gabriela thought to herself.

"Alright, I'll call the bodyguard over." In a surprising turn of events, the in-laws banded together for a common cause.

The celebrity made a fool of herself. She found an excuse to excuse herself before the bodyguard could take her away.

She had once heard that Gabriela and Maria were always at odds with each other. But whenever they were on the same page, their bond was as strong as mother and daughter. At the back of her mind, the celebrity was cursing the person who told her that unreliable news.

Now that the unwanted visitor was gone, Gabriel looked at Maria and snorted. "I just saw you talking and laughing with another man."

Maria was taken aback. "Are you talking about

Steven?"

"I don't know that man."

"Are you trying to defend your son again?" Maria sniggered as she looked at her mother-in-law.

"Of course, I am! My son works day and night for this family. He would never allow you to flirt with other men, and he would certainly abhor the idea of you squandering his hard-earned money on strangers." "What are you going to do about it? Your son earns so much money. What's the point of having it if I don't spend it?"

Gabriela fell silent. There was some degree of truth to what Maria was saying.

After a period of time, Maria had

eaten too much cold food. And as a result, on the first day of her period, she felt a pang in her lower

abdomen. Sadly, James was away on a business trip. Her three children had gone to school, and only she

and Gabriela were left at home.

It was already eleven in the morning, but the workaholic woman still hadn't come out of her room or eaten breakfast yet. After watering the flowers, Gabriela decided to check up on Maria. She knew that her daughter-in-law wasn't feeling well today.

"You shouldn't go to work if you're not feeling well. Just stay here and get some rest." With that, she walked out of the bedroom.

In the kitchen, the maid said to her, "What can I do for you, ma'am?"

Gabriela took out a pot and put it on the stove. "Bring me the bird's nest and brown sugar."

"Yes, ma'am." Then, the maid left to get the ingredients.

It took a long time of preparation before Gabriela went upstairs again, carrying a tray.

She placed it on the bedside table and said to Maria, "Get up and drink some brown sugar water."

"I don't want it." Maria refused to move at all.

"There's no way I'll agree to that. Otherwise, my efforts will be in vain." After saying that, Gabriela helped her up and handed her the brown sugar water.

Considering that her mother-in-law had taken the time to prepare this herself, Maria decided to drink it.

"And here's a bowl of bird's nest soup. Eat it."

"I don't want to."

"No way! You haven't had anything to eat since this morning. You need to fill up your stomach with something!" Gabriela commanded.

She was just as bossy as her son.

Maria didn't have the energy to argue with her, so she caved in and ate the bowl of bird's nest soup.

After drinking the sugar water and eating the soup, she lay back down. Gabriela was satisfied that her daughter-in-law had eaten the food she prepared. Before leaving, she asked her, "What do you want to eat for lunch? I'll ask the chef to cook it

for you."

Maria looked at her listlessly as she lay on the bed. "Mom, I don't want to eat anything. I have no appetite."

"That won't do!"

Maria gave in. "Fine. I'd like to eat something light."

"Good. Get some rest, Maria. Don't bother yourself with the company's affairs. Just leave the rest to your employees."

"Alright."

Just before Maria fell asleep, Gabriela came into the room again. She handed Maria something and said, "I asked them to buy a warm ointment. Perhaps it'll make you feel better."

"It's useless. I've already tried it."

"It doesn't matter. Just apply it on your lower abdomen. At the very least, it could alleviate some of the pain."

"But I don't want to move," Maria said as she looked back at her helplessly.

Gabriela pretended as though she was getting frustrated. "I've never seen a lazier woman that you. You're so lazy that you need my help for something so simple." While she was chastising Maria, she lifted the quilt and applied the ointment on her belly.

"Tell James not to go on a business trip when something like this happens. I don't want to take care of you."

Maria smiled at her. "Okay."

After she was done applying the ointment, Gabriela tucked Maria under the quilt and rolled her eyes. "You just want to trouble him, don't you? I'd better be the one taking care of you." "Okay." "Maria, aren't you feeling guilty whenever you're enjoying our acts of kindness?"

"Of course not!" Maria's heart felt so warm that a smile was planted on her face. "You're like my mother. Isn't it natural for a mother to treat her daughter well?"

Gabriela smiled back. "So, now you acknowledge that I'm your mom, huh?"

"I've always acknowledged it. You should get some rest as well, Mom. I'll be fine after I get enough rest." "I'm going out. Get some rest, Maria."

"Okay."

After Gabriela had left, silence returned to the bedroom. As she closed her eyes, Maria felt delighted.