Tavon was losing his cool, his patience worn thin. People can be so selfish, always picking on the easy targets. Tavon knew deep down that Ashley still had feelings for him, and no matter how much of a jerk he was, she''d still be there, circling around him like a moth to a me. He stumbled up the stairs, leaving Ashley wiping away her tears and chasing after him, ready for yet another argument. Women, Tavon thought, always had to have thest word. All Ashley really wanted was for him to turn around, see her for who she was, and build a life Mogether. But Tavon mmed the door in her face, leaving her outside, yelling and pleading as he buried himself under the covers, ignoring her cries.


    Salma had seen through Tavon''s selfishness ages ago. She''d let go of any fantasies. Sure, she could lend a helping hand when he was in trouble, but nothing more. No more daydreams.


    There were too many women like Ashley in the world, thinking they could tie a man down, make him listen, love them. And when they didn''t get what they wanted, they''d grow hysterical, full of resentment. Women shouldn''t pin all their hopes on a man, Tavon thought. The more you expect, the more you''re let down. Once resentment builds, it''s tough to move on.


    Alisa had a bit of Ashley in her too. When Jason got out of the hospital, she practically moved in to take care of him, doing everything to please him, refusing to leave. Feeling trapped, Jason had to call Ashley from the countryside. With Ashley back, Alisa had no excuse to stay.


    The first day Ashley arrived, she saw right through Alisa. At first, Ashley treated Alisa like a friend''s partner, but once night fell, she decided to have a straightforward talk.


    "Alisa," Ashley said, "the Morton family will never ept you as a daughter-inw. You should let go of that idea." Ashley was direct, cutting through the nonsense like a hot knife through butter.


    Alisa''s face flushed with embarrassment, caught off guard. "Mrs. Morton, Jason and I..." Alisa forced a smile. "We''re together. If there''s something you don''t like about me, I can change."


    Alisa thought this would make Ashley back down. But Ashley stayed firm. "These days, people live together and break up all the time. I can tell my son doesn''t love you. Let''s be honest-you''re divorced, have a daughter, average looks, mediocre skills-what do you have to offer my son?"


    Ashley''s words were sharp, leaving no room for dignity,ying bare the reality between Alisa and Jason. Alisa''s cheeks turned crimson with shame and anger. "Mrs. Morton, I... I..." Alisa stammered, her eyes welling up. "I cook for Jason, take care of him. He''s terrible at looking after himself, skips meals, has stomach issues, doesn''t know when to buy new clothes."


    "Alisa," Ashley said calmly, "I''m his mother. I can do all that, and so can a housekeeper. My son needs a wife, not a caretaker or another mother. Your family has leaned on him for years-isn''t that enough? You want him chained to your family for the rest of his life? You''re too selfish, Alisa. Your family is too selfish."


    Tears filled Alisa''s eyes. "Mrs. Morton, Jason chose to help us. We never asked him for anything."


    "Never asked?" Ashley scoffed, seeing right through her. "You''ve treated my son like a meal ticket. Don''t think I''m blind to it. All the money he''s made has gone to your family. Why not name a price, buy him out once and for all? How much do you need before your family stops leeching off my son?"


    Alisa was humiliated, her face burning with shame, her hands clenched tight. "Mrs. Morton, I told you, it''s not about the money."


    Ashleyughed. "You haven''t taken money from my son?"


    "That money was..." Alisa faltered, knowing she had taken it. "I''ve contributed too. It was mutual."


    "Enough," Ashley waved her off. "You''ve taken the money and now want more? Don''t be greedy. Go home. You''ll never be my daughter-inw. My son would rather stay single forever than marry someone like you."