Chapter 2

Early the next morning, I went to the lottery center.

It took some time to process the prize claim, and the staff told me the funds would be deposited into my account within 10 business days.

I got a new bank card and kept only this card number.

As I walked out of the lottery center, my phone started ringing.

It was my mom.

I declined the call without answering.

Next, my dad called, then Brian, and even Tracy.

I blocked them all.

I went to the company and handed in my resignation letter.

My boss looked shocked. He asked, "Ada, you've been doing great here. Why quit all of a sudden? Is it about the pay? I can bump your salary up."

"It's not about the money. I'm just burned out and need some time off," I said, packing up my stuff.

As I walked out of the office building, I felt lighter than ever before.

But I knew this was just the calm before the storm.

When I got back to my apartment, I found the lock had been busted.

The place was completely trashed.

My clothes, books, and makeup were thrown everywhere.

The savings book I kept in my nightstand was missing.

It had 10 thousand I'd saved up over two years, money I was planning to use to enroll in an MBA class.

I didn't even have to guess who did it.

I called the police.

The cop came to check out the scene and pulled up the hallway security footage.

In the footage, my dad was holding a crowbar while my mom and Brian were standing nearby, bossing him around.

The three of them swaggered into my apartment, and half an hour later, they walked out carrying two big bags.

The cop, Frank, looked at me and asked, "Are those your parents?"

I nodded and replied, "Yes."

Frank closed his notebook and said, "This is a family matter. I suggest you try to sort it out yourselves. You're family, after all. It's not a good look if things get ugly."

I met his eyes and said firmly, "I want to press charges. They broke into my place and stole 10 thousand. That's enough to put them behind bars."

Frank stared at me, stunned. He asked, "Are you sure? They're your parents."

I said, "I'm sure."

Frank sighed and took down my statement.

As soon as the cops left, my phone started ringing again.

It was an unknown number.

I picked up.

My aunt's voice roared through the phone. "Ada, you ungrateful brat! How dare you call the cops on your own parents?"

"They broke into my place and stole my money. Why shouldn't I call the cops?" I shot back.

My aunt barked, "That's not stealing, that's just taking. Parents taking their kids' money is only natural. You'd better go to the station and drop the charges right now. Otherwise, you're going to shame the whole family!"

I said, "Shame is earned, not given. If they don't give my money back, I'm not dropping the charges."

"You... just wait! We're coming over right now," my aunt shouted.

Half an hour later, my aunt marched over with my parents, Brian, and my grandparents. The whole clan stormed the entrance to my apartment.

The landlord stood in the stairwell, looking troubled. He said, "Ms. Carter, could you please not make a scene here? The neighbors have already complained."

I looked at the so-called family standing in front of me.

My dad held a cigarette, pointing at me. He said, "Ada, this is your last chance. Drop the charges, and pay back the 60 thousand for the wedding. Then we'll call it even."

My mom sat on the floor, slapping her thighs. She said, "What did I do to deserve this? How did I end up with such an ungrateful brat? She's even calling the cops on her own parents."

My grandpa banged his cane on the floor. He snapped, "There's no place for an unfilial child like you in the Carter family. Bow to your parents and apologize!"

Brian was at the back, gaming on my tablet, which they had taken from my apartment.

"Give me back my tablet," I said, holding out my hand.

Brian glanced up at me and sneered, "Ada, you still want this crappy tablet? Tracy said she's giving it to me as a present for meeting her."

"That's mine," I said firmly.

Brian shot back, "What's yours is the family's, and what's the family's is mine. Just give me your PIN already. I wanna buy some stuff for my game."

I stared at them, feeling the last shred of warmth in my heart freeze over.

"So, are you giving my money back or not?" I asked.

My dad flicked his cigarette to the floor and ground it out. He said, "Not a chance. Spending my daughter's cash is only right. Who's gonna stop me?"

"Fine," I said, her voice icy.

I pulled out my phone and called the cop, Frank.

I said, "Officer, they're right outside my door. They won't give back the money, and they're threatening me. Can you come over again?"

After I hung up, the hallway went dead silent.

My dad's eyes went wide, like he never thought I'd really do it.

My grandpa raised his cane, ready to strike. He snapped, "You've turned against us? How dare you defy your elders!"

I stood my ground and pulled out my phone, hitting record.

I said, "Go ahead. Hit me, and that's assault. Add breaking and grand theft, and you're looking at a minimum of three years."

My grandpa's cane froze in mid-air, his hand trembling.

My aunt lunged at me, trying to grab my phone. She snapped, "Why are you filming? Don't you know you shouldn't air our dirty laundry?"

I dodged aside and shot back, "Oh, now you're worried about airing our dirty laundry? Funny, you didn't seem to care when you were busting my lock."

Suddenly, sirens blared from downstairs.

Panic flashed across their faces.