My Six Brothers Killed Me (Caroline)

Chapter 246 I'm Old

Maia wasn't the least bit surprised when her mother brought up money.

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The moment she saw her standing at the doorstep, she already knew-that woman was here to ask for cash again.

Ever since her mom gave her that infamous three-day ultimatum, Maia had been worrying nonstop.

She didn't have the money, but she also knew her mother wouldn't leave until she got something. Ruth had always been that way-relentless, unreasonable, and impossible to shake off.

Maia knew Caroline had followed her because she was worried. The last thing Maia wanted was to cause more trouble for her.

Turning to Caroline with a gentle smile, she said, "I'm fine. You've had a long day already-go get some rest, okay?"

Caroline asked worriedly, "Are you sure you can handle this?"

It wasn't that she didn't know when to leave-it was Ruth. That woman was

vicious, and Maia didn't know how to fight back.

Caroline feared that what happened last time might happen again or worser

But Maia nodded, her smile steady. "I promise, I'm okay."

Since Maia insisted, Caroline had no choice but to leave.noveldrama

Maia stood there, watching her friend's figure fade into the night.

Only when Caroline disappeared into the darkness did she shift her gaze back to Ruth, her face now cold and emotionless. "Well, Mom," she said, her voice steady, "if you have something to say, say it."

She already knew why Ruth had come, but she refused to bring it up first.

Without a word, Ruth slapped her.

The blow was sudden and hard, her expression twisting with fury. "You little brat," she snapped. “You think. just because you've got someone backing you now, you don't have to respect your own mother?"

The slap had landed hard, but Maia barely flinched.

After growing up under the weight of this kind of abuse, her nerves had gone numb a long time ago.

She stood her ground, not even a flicker of emotion crossing her face. "If I didn't care about you," she said calmly, "I wouldn't be standing here talking to you."

There were plenty of mean women in the world, but ones who treated their own children like dirt? Ruth might be the only one.

Maia hated her. She truly did.

But Ruth was still her mother. No matter how deeply she resented her, that tie of blood was something she couldn't undo. The hate had to stay locked away inside-where it would fester but never show.

Chapter 246 I'm Old

Her words were ordinary, her tone calm. But in Ruth's ears, they sounded like a slap in return.

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Ruth's rage flared. Her voice rose, shrill and threatening, "What, you planning to just ignore me now? Leave me to rot without a cent? Let me tell you something, Maia-this country runs on law! If you won't give me money, I'll take you to court! Don't come crying when you're sitting behind bars!"

She didn't really understand the law, but she knew one thing well enough: children were supposed to take care of their aging parents.

Maia knew Ruth was bluffing, but she didn't bother arguing. None of this was going to happen, and Ruth knew it too.

Even though Ruth had never treated her right, she had still raised her. And for that, Maia owed her something.

She would take care of her.

Just not yet.

With a faint smirk, Maia replied, "Don't worry, Mom. I'll make sure you're cared for in your old age. I'll be there when the time comes. But tell me—are you old now?"

Ruth froze, caught off guard.

She didn't want to admit she was getting older. Getting old meant getting ugly. Ruth still thought of herself as youthful and attractive.

But when it came to the issue of elder care, she couldn't deny it-getting support from Maia was her rightful claim. It was a reasonable and legitimate expectation.

The only catch? She'd have to admit she was old.

Grudgingly, she said, "I've already got some gray hair. How's that not old? Other women my age are being taken care of by their kids. Me? I'm still out there working!"

She huffed. "If you had any sense, I could be enjoying life-going dancing, shopping, playing cards with the neighbors!"

Maia let out a light chuckle. "You're only in your forties. That's prime working age. Who retires that young?"

Besides, she couldn't think of anyone in their forties living off their kids-unless they had rich husbands or family money. Ruth had neither.

Ruth had neither.

She didn't know how to respond to that. So instead, she barked, "You ungrateful brat! I raised you for over a decade, and now I'm asking you to pay me back. What's wrong with that? I want ten grand today—whether you have it or not, you better find it!"

In the past, Maia might have caved. Even if she didn't have the money, she'd

have taken extra shifts or side jobs just to scrape it together.

But not anymore; she had become smarter than that.

"I don't have the money," Maia said calmly. Then she added, "Since you brought

up the law, let's go by the

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Chapter 246 I'm Old

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law. When you reach the age that legally qualifies you for elder support, I'll make sure you're taken care of. Every month, you'll get a living allowance from me— down to the last cent."

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