Part 2A Sea of No Regrets

Her face darkened instantly.

"What do you mean? You don't want to pay? Hannah, get this straight. I've lived with Jason all these years. He's the one taking care of me in my old age. You've done nothing. Why are you reluctant to spend a little money?"

I wanted to laugh.

"You live with Jason because you insisted on raising his kids. Your entire pension goes to them. The money I send you every month goes to them. How have I done nothing? How is he taking care of you?"

"Mom, since you care about them so much, why don't you move in with me when we get back? I won't ask you to babysit or do chores. I don't need your pension. Let me take care of you, okay?"

I thought she'd be happy. instead, she shoved my daughter, who was standing next to her, into the waves.

"Are you crazy? Want me to raise your money-losing brat? Keep dreaming! I have my own grandsons. Why should I raise your kid? Hannah, stop talking nonsense and book the tickets."

My three-year-old daughter screamed, terrified by the water. I quickly pulled her out. The night breeze made her shiver.

I roared at my mom, "What are you doing? She can't swim! What if the waves took her?"

She showed zero remorse. "Hmph! You care about your kid, I care about mine. So book the tickets for your brother's family."

Book my ass.

I found dry clothes for my daughter, then opened my phone and booked the earliest train ticket home for my mom.

"Since you miss your son and grandsons so much, go back."

She looked at me in disbelief. "What do you mean? sending me back as soon as we get here?"

I nodded at the endless horizon. "Yes. Go back. My daughter and I will have a great time."

She suddenly slapped me.

"Hannah! I told you to book tickets for your brother, and you send me back on a train for hours? Is this how a daughter acts? You really are ungrateful. I knew you just wanted a vacation for yourself and dragged me along as an excuse!"