My undisciplined little brat of a nephew stuck his tongue out at me.

I couldn't be bothered with his spoiled antics - he was raised by my mom, what do you expect?

Ethan isn't married yet, but mom said he used to have a girlfriend. She got pregnant before marriage, had the baby, then took off.

While mom was cooking in the kitchen, I went in to help.

I brought up the money Ford gave her.

As expected, mom exploded in rage, calling me an ungrateful wretch who bites the hand that feeds.

"I raised you with such hardship, just to let him mistreat you like this? And now he wants to take the money back after the divorce? Not a chance!"

I said, "Mom, when we got married we clearly agreed on the amount of the house, car, and bride price of $88,000 - all laid out. Ford said the $300,000 you forced him to 'borrow' wasn't part of the bride price."

"Bullshit! Just because he says it's not, that makes it true? Is there an IOU? Let me tell you, Clara. The money is long gone. I don't believe you can still go along with him to sue your own mother!"

My mom was a shrew in her younger days, a real terror in the neighborhood.

Ford said he do have the transfer records, which my mom can't deny.

But now mom is insisting the money was part of the bride price, making things very difficult.

At this point, I really can't compromise anymore.

"Mom, if you put it that way, I did have a share in this rebuilt house before. 120 square meters, worth maybe 2 million dollars. If we three - me, you, and Ethan - split it evenly, I should get $700,000 or $800,000 at least. If you insist on not paying back the $300,000, I'll just take my share and give it to Ford."

Mom slapped me hard across the face, making my eyes water.

"You idiot! Daring to threaten your own mother! Don't forget, you already gave up your share when they demolished it! Now you pull this on me?"

Holding back the pain, I didn't back down. "Mom, you say Ford didn't give you an IOU, but I never signed an agreement either. If you don't pay, Ford can just sue, same result!"

"Go ahead and sue! You shameless wretch! Waste of 20 years of raising you! Only know how to be tough with your own family! Worthless piece of trash, can't even lay an egg, lets a man play with you for a while then kicks you out, and still help the person who did it!"

If I hadn't heard it with my own ears, I'd hardly believe a mother could say such things about her own daughter.