Chapter 2The Final Prescription

"Scarlett! You dare!"

Mom bounced up from the sofa, lunging to grab my phone.

I dodged sideways, pushed her out the door, and locked it behind her.

She pounded and kicked the door like crazy, crying and cursing.

"Ungrateful wretch! I raised you with shit and piss, now you have money and don't want your mom!"

Sounds of neighbors opening doors came from the hallway, cautious inquiries.

Her crying rose immediately, every word bloody:

"My daughter has cancer, I quit my job back home to serve her, cleaning shit and piss... now she's cured, thinks I'm a burden, kicking me out!"

I turned and yanked the door open.

The couple from across the hall stood there, eyes complex.

Mom sat on the floor, hair messy, slapping her thighs, acting the part.

"I called security. Are you leaving yourself or waiting for them to escort you?"

"What security!"

Mom scrambled up, pointing at my nose.

"Let everyone judge! Am I your mom? Did I come to take care of you?"

"Care for me until I'm dead, discussing how to split my house with your son?"

Her expression froze.

The neighbors exchanged glances.

"You, you nonsense!"

Her voice got louder, fierce but weak inside.

"I was... keeping it safe for you, since you were dying anyway."

"But I told you, it was a misdiagnosis, I'm not sick. Why do you still want me to give the house to Caleb?"

"Do you want your daughter dead that much?"

Her face turned pale.

Ding. Elevator arrived. Security came.

Two young guys looked at the scene helplessly.

"It's her!"

Mom lunged first, grabbing the guard's sleeve.

"Comrade, this is my daughter, she's sick, brain confused! Kicking me out, how can I live at my age!"

Guards looked at me awkwardly.

I took a breath, looking at them: "I don't know her. Take this crazy woman away."

Seeing this, Mom collapsed on the floor, wailing:

"God! Open your eyes! Daughter doesn't recognize mom—"

Crying echoed in the hallway.

Mr. Lee from across the hall finally spoke:

"Um... Auntie. Why don't you get up first, crying won't solve anything."

He turned to me, "Miss Scarlett, we shouldn't interfere in family matters, but it's not good for her to sit there crying."

His wife pulled his sleeve gently. "Don't meddle, you don't know the truth."

"Security," my voice clear, "She has mental issues, harassing me for a long time. If she continues, I'll call 911."

Hearing "911," the guards hesitated no more, lifting Mom by her arms.

"What are you doing! Let go! I'm her mom! Real mom!"

She kicked, glaring at me venomously.

"Scarlett! You dare! You will die badly! This house will be my son's sooner or later! Just wait!"