Mrs. He had always been a sharp one. It only took a single meal for her to notice something had shifted.
Hailey wasn't looking at Ethan the way she used to.
Once upon a time, the girl's eyes practically sparkled whenever she looked at her son—as if the sun rose and set with him. Now? There was something distant in her gaze. Calm. Detached.
Mrs. He frowned slightly. If Ethan lets this one slip away, he's going to regret it for the rest of his life.
"You know, Ethan," she said carefully, "a girl like Hailey doesn't come around twice. You'll have a hard time finding someone who loves you like she does."
Ethan remained expressionless, still facing the bookshelf as if the spines of old business manuals were more interesting than this conversation. "If that's all you wanted to say, I'll take my leave. I have work to do."
Mrs. He tried again. "Just tell me honestly—do you really not feel anything for her?"
"No," he said, without hesitation.
And just like that, he walked out of the study, not even looking back.
Mrs. He sat there, shaking her head. Why is my son like this? So cold. So stubborn. Where on earth had he gotten this personality?
Certainly not from her.
Later that afternoon, Hailey boiled water in the kitchen and made two cups of tea. Her mother-in-law liked it strong and slightly bitter, just like her personality.
When she walked into the living room with the tray, she found Mrs. He already settled comfortably on the couch.
"Here you go, Mom," Hailey said sweetly, setting the cup down. "Where's Ethan?"
"He left," Mrs. He replied with a smile. Then she gave Hailey a once-over, her eyes twinkling. "You know, I think you're looking more beautiful these days. When I was your age, I wasn't half as stunning."
Hailey laughed politely. "Come on, Mom. You're still gorgeous. I can't hold a candle to you."
Mrs. He was never one to beat around the bush.
"It baffles me," she said bluntly, "how a son of mine can have such a beautiful, smart wife and still not know how to treasure her."
"…"
"Has he been treating you any better lately?"
Hailey hesitated. "Still the same, I guess…"
Mrs. He leaned in, eyes sharp. "You're not looking at him the way you used to. Did he break your heart for real this time? Are you giving up on loving him?"
Ding ding ding. Give this woman a prize.
Hailey almost laughed. You nailed it, Mom. I'm done. My love tank is officially empty.
But of course, she said nothing of the sort. Instead, she answered calmly, "I just thought maybe if I stopped clinging so tightly, he'd feel less pressured. Sometimes space helps people think clearer."
Mrs. He clapped her hands like she'd just won the lottery. "Finally! That's exactly the right attitude!"
"…"
She leaned forward, lowering her voice like she was sharing ancient wisdom. "I've told you before—Ethan hates being pushed. If you want him to like you, don't pressure him. Don't act like you want something from him all the time. Just let him be comfortable. Sooner or later, he'll come around."
Hailey's smile was calm, but her eyes dimmed just slightly.
She'd heard this speech before.
In her last life, Mrs. He had told her the same thing. Back then, Hailey was too stubborn, too young, too in love to listen. She wore her heart on her sleeve, chasing Ethan like he was the last bus home. She couldn't wait. She couldn't hold back. And she paid the price.
Meanwhile, Lin Xinyu had won. She was soft-spoken, gentle, and never demanded a thing. Ethan had warmed up to her in a heartbeat.
Now, Hailey finally understood what her mother-in-law meant.
But it didn't matter anymore.
She wasn't waiting this time. She wasn't hoping. Her heart had already closed shop.
Still, she listened attentively and nodded at all the right moments. After all, no matter how she felt, her performance had to be flawless.
Mrs. He's visit wasn't random. She hadn't come to meddle in her son's marriage for fun. There was a very specific goal in mind:
She wanted a grandchild. Desperately.
Forget "wanted." She was obsessed with the idea.
It had been almost a year since the wedding. A whole year. And still, Hailey's belly was flat as ever. Not even a hint of a baby bump.
Mrs. He was losing her mind.
Every time she saw one of her friends posting baby photos in the family group chat, it felt like a dagger to the heart. Look at my little dumpling! He called me 'Nana' today! Grandma's boy is starting kindergarten already!
Meanwhile, my son treats his wife like a business contract, and I'm still waiting on an heir!
She didn't just want a grandchild—she had plans. Visions. Dreams.
She wanted a cheerful, adorable little boy who would run around the house, fill it with laughter, and call her "Grandma" in the cutest voice imaginable.
Not another mini-Ethan with a permanent scowl and an attitude like a tax auditor.
No.
She was determined to raise this grandchild herself, to shape him into a lively little bundle of sunshine. She'd waited too long. She'd planned for too many years.
In fact, ever since Ethan was five years old and already acting like a forty-year-old CEO, she'd made a decision:
Next generation? We're doing it differently.
Now all she needed… was a baby.
A tiny, squishy, giggling baby.
Come on, Hailey. Just give me a little bean. Just one!
Mrs. He sipped her tea, her smile warm as she looked at her daughter-in-law. "You know, Hailey… I've been thinking. It's about time you two started a family, don't you think?"
Hailey blinked. "A… family?"
"Yes! Imagine a little one running around here! Wouldn't that be wonderful?"
Hailey's smile faltered for just a second. She gave a polite laugh, then looked down at her tea.
If only it were that simple.