I was momentarily stunned, then I heard a familiar voice on the other end of the line."Elena, why are you using my mom's phone?"

Elena Carter's voice carried a hint of smugness."Ryan, I'm with Auntie. She wants you to come back for dinner."

I couldn't help but frown."You went to my house again?"

Elena Carter replied playfully,"Of course, your house is my home, and my home is yours. When are you coming over?"

I couldn't help but marvel at Elena Carter's audacity, as if nothing could faze her."I'm not coming back, I've already eaten."

Elena's voice was tinged with derision."Hah, who are you fooling? You just finished work, and you've already eaten?"

I glanced at the time—it was just after five—and sighed."Elena, why won't you listen? I have a girlfriend now."

"I'm not listening," she retorted."Auntie insists I'm your girlfriend, right, Auntie?" I could hear my mother's voice in the background, agreeing,"Yes, yes, Elena is the daughter-in-law of our family."

Elena Carter's tactics were truly ruthless. I was utterly defeated. How had she managed to turn my mother from disliking her to liking her? I didn't quite understand—did one illness really change everything?

"Ryan, did you hear? Auntie said it herself. I'm your wife now. Don't even think about bringing other women back, I won't agree, and neither will Auntie."

I couldn't help but laugh at the absurdity."You won't agree? Elena Carter, do you really think you're the matriarch?"

Elena Carter complained from the other end,"Auntie, Ryan's scolding me. Wuwu." Then my mother's voice echoed,"Elena, don't be afraid, Auntie's here for you. If he dares scold you, I'll take a stick to him."

I was completely frustrated by their ridiculous back-and-forth. I really wanted to ask my mother,"You and Elena Carter are so close, why drag me into this? How much did I cost to send you all these minutes?"

Then my mother took the phone."Ryan, you'd better come back. If you don't make things right with Elena, you won't be able to do anything else. Don't even think about calling me‘Mom' again."

"Mom, what kind of spell has Elena cast on you? Why are you siding with her?"

"I'm only recognizing Elena as my daughter-in-law. Do as you please," my mother replied, before hanging up the phone.

Is this really my mother? Has she been possessed or has she lost her memory? I had no choice but to turn the car around and head home to figure out what had happened. The world was becoming unrecognizable.

When I arrived home and parked the car, I saw Elena Carter and my mother walking hand-in-hand from the market, laughing and chatting, looking particularly close. As soon as Elena saw my new car, her eyes lit up as if she had discovered a new world, and she hurried over.

This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

"Ryan, how did you end up with a Mercedes? Is this a new car? Did that woman buy it for you?" Elena Carter asked, her voice full of surprise and a hint of suspicion.

I smiled helplessly."What are you saying? This is my boss's car. I drive her around every day."

"What? You've hooked up with your boss?" Elena Carter's voice suddenly rose several octaves, her face turning serious.

"Elena, you're dreaming. This is my boss's special car. I'm her assistant now," I explained, trying to calm her down.

But Elena Carter wouldn't relent, grabbing my hand, her eyes full of anxiety."Ryan, stay away from that woman. She has designs on you."

I sighed, feeling helpless. In my mind, I was certain—I had no interest in Lin Na, none at all."Elena, can you act normally? Do you think every woman around me has an agenda?"

"Her gaze at me was like that of an enemy. Though she remains cold and distant toward you, I know she likes you," Elena Carter's voice carried an unwavering certainty, as though she had seen through everything.

"Elena, I didn't realize you were also a mind reader," I teased, attempting to ease the tension.

"Ryan, I'm just worried you might go down the wrong path," Elena Carter's voice was laced with deep concern. Her hand grasped mine tightly, as though afraid I might be swept away by something.

I couldn't help but feel a tinge of helplessness, thinking to myself, if I'm with you, it's the righteous path, but if I date other women, it's a crooked road. My mother, who had been quietly watching us, finally interjected,"Elena's right. You must be careful."

"Mom, is this really you? I don't even recognize you anymore," I said, bewildered, gazing at my mother, feeling like the situation was absurd.

"Look at me. Am I not your mother?" My mother walked over, and without hesitation, she struck me on the head with her fist, her voice tinged with both anger and resignation."Ungrateful son!"

Rubbing my head where she hit me, I muttered under my breath, not daring to retort, but could only smile wryly and say,"Mom, please calm down."

At that moment, Elena Carter walked over, gently taking my hand with a smile."Ryan, let's go home and cook. Let's give Mom a rest."

I felt a warmth in my heart but couldn't help but roll my eyes and say,"Wait a minute, Elena Carter, when did my mom become yours?"

Just then, a group of elderly women came over, looking at my mother with enthusiasm."Is this your daughter-in-law? She's so beautiful, truly a perfect match for your son."

A proud smile instantly appeared on my mother's face as she responded with gusto,"Yes, yes, this is my daughter-in-law."

A sense of helplessness washed over me as I quickly pulled both of them along."Let's go home and cook." I seethed inwardly, thinking,"I have no idea what's going on, but it seems like the entire neighborhood knows about this 'perfect daughter-in-law' of mine."

Back home, I went straight to the kitchen to prepare the meal. Elena Carter followed me in and busied herself nearby."You should go out. Let me handle this," I said.

But Elena Carter was unyielding."I can cook too. Don't you believe me?"

I sighed in resignation, deciding not to argue. To my surprise, she truly knew how to cook. She swiftly and evenly sliced the vegetables, the sound of the knife chopping rhythmically. Watching her, I suddenly felt an impulse to understand her more than I ever had before."How do you know how to cook?" I asked, genuinely curious.

Elena Carter smiled, continuing to chop."Is that so strange? I've been cooking since I was little, and I even trained to be a chef."

I was taken aback."You, a young lady from a rich family, can cook?"

Elena Carter paused her work and turned to face me, looking at me seriously."My family wasn't always wealthy. Until I was in the second year of middle school, we didn't have money. All the meals at home were on me. I started shopping for groceries and cooking when I was six, and every day I made dinner, waiting for my parents to come home and eat."

As she spoke, she extended her hand, showing me the scars on her palm like a precious artifact."Ryan, look, these scars are from when I was young, cutting vegetables."

I took her hand, inspecting the tiny scars closely. A wave of compassion washed over me."I never imagined you had such a tough childhood."

Elena Carter smiled softly, a flicker of tenderness in her eyes."At that time, our family's situation was difficult, but my parents treated me very well. I was happy to help them out."