"I'm Susan's stepfather. I don't know how to make her happy, but I was afraid that discussing it with you would just worry you more. Monica, I was foolish. I chose the wrong approach."
My mom softened a bit.
Over the years, she had been busy with her business, leaving most of the household matters to my stepfather.
He had been good to her even before they got married, pursuing her with genuine care. They didn't get together at the time only because my grandmother objected.
Now, with their past history and his attentiveness to the family, my mom was starting to let go of her anger.
Seeing that my mom was about to calm down, I decided to intervene.
"Mom, don't smash the computer—it's not worth it. Uncle Jeremy just helped me load 300 dollars into a game."
"Jeremy! You told me that 300 dollars was for Susan's tutoring classes!"
Another round of chaos in the living room.
Jeremy's face turned beet red, unable to find an excuse.
I gracefully made my exit.
There's no way Jeremy would have enrolled me in tutoring classes.
Thanks to him in my past life, I barely studied at all.