Chapter 2

I took a deep breath and said to my siblings, "But since you guys got all the benefits, don't expect me to support Mom when she's old.

"From now on, let's just mind our own business and be strangers."

As soon as I finished talking, Mom shot up and hurled her cup right at me.

She yelled, "You ingrate. You're just causing trouble because you never wanted to take care of me, is that it?

"Get out of my house now."

I left, walking down the street, the snowflakes swirling around me like feathers.

It was Christmas, and every shop was closed for the holiday. Not a single hotel sign was lit up.

I huddled under a bus stop, clutching the lottery ticket in my pocket.

It was only then, with that ticket in my hand, that the sadness faded away.

I'd planned to announce on tonight that I'd won 30 million dollars in the lottery, and promised to give each of my family 6 million dollars.

That way, Harold could finally buy a house in Onio City and focus on his research without any worries.

Roxanne could go after her finance dreams too, and Mom could finally relax and enjoy her golden years.

Maybe God took pity on me and didn't let them take advantage of me, making me see their true colors at the very last moment.

The illusion of family I'd been holding onto vanished completely.

It was just as well. At least it was not too late.

I wandered around for ages before I finally found a little motel that was still open.

After I checked in and ate some bread, my phone started buzzing.

I looked at the screen. It was Uncle Devin.

As soon as I answered, Uncle Devin's booming, reproachful voice blasted through the phone.

He shouted, "Sonia, what the hell is going on with you? You got your mom so worked up on Christmas, then slammed the door and left? Is that any way to act?"

I clenched my phone. "Uncle Devin, Mom was the one who kicked me out."

He said, "She was just mad, okay? Why are you even arguing with your mom? Kids shouldn't be nitpicking with their parents.

"Do you know how tough it was for her to raise you? So what if she didn't give you any of the payout from the house relocation?

"It's her money. She can give it to whoever she wants. You're a girl, and once you get married, you'll be part of someone else's family. Why do you even need that kind of money?

"Harold's got a PhD from Tremaine University, and Roxanne's got a master's from Waymon University. They're the pride of the Maddox family.

"Your mom put her money into them because she's thinking ahead. As their sister, you should be supporting them, not stirring up trouble."

My chest felt tight.

I said, "Uncle Devin, are you saying because I'm not as accomplished as Harold and Roxanne, I don't deserve to be treated fairly?

"I should just be their servant, keep my head down, and watch them walk away with all the benefits, smiling the whole time?"

"Why are you so headstrong, Sonia?" Uncle Devin fired back. "Why are you so hung up on this? You should put the family first.

"Just because you think you can stand on your own two feet now, doesn't mean you can just ditch your mom.

"Go make things right with your mom and take care of her. When Harold and Roxanne make it big, you think they'll forget everything you did for them?"

I was completely pissed. "All they care about is their own future. They're already so cold to me. Why would I ever expect them to treat me any better once they're successful?"

"You... you're out of line!" Uncle Devin snapped.

He was practically fuming, struggling to catch his breath.

He added, "Did all those years in school teach you nothing? You don't even know what it means to respect your elders.

"Sonia, if you don't go back right now, you'll regret it for the rest of your life. The whole family will tear you apart with their gossip."

"Let them," I shot back, hung up, and blocked his number.

I barely had a moment of peace before my phone lit up again.

This time, it was Uncle Jeffrey.

His tone was gentle, but every word was a knife wrapped in velvet.

Uncle Jeffrey said, "Sonia, I heard from Devin you're throwing a fit? Come on, you know how your mom is. She talks tough, but deep down she means well.

"She might've messed up with the demolition money, but as her daughter, you should cut her some slack.

"Harold and Roxanne are at an important point right now. They need their family behind them. As their sister, you should do your part and help out more.

"Your mom's getting up there in years, Sonia. If you don't look after her, who will?"

It was the same old guilt trip. It made me want to puke.

I didn't bother to respond. I just hung up and blocked his number.

Finally, my phone stopped buzzing.

The day after Christmas arrived, and outside, firecrackers were going off nonstop.

My phone started ringing.

It was Roxanne.

I hesitated for a few seconds, but in the end, I picked up.

"Sonia, Mom was out searching for you last night, slipped, and broke her leg. You need to come home and take care of her." Roxanne went straight to the point.

I was still trying to wrap my head around it. "She broke her leg? Where was she looking for me? And why didn't she just call?"

"Hurry up, Sonia. Harold and I have work to get back to. We don't have time for this," Roxanne snapped, not even bothering to hide how impatient she was.

I sat up and rubbed my temples. "Didn't she give you guys 1.2 million? Why can't you hire a caretaker?"

Roxanne snapped, "Sonia, what's that supposed to mean? She's your mom too. It's your job to look after her."