Chapter 3
I hailed a cab and headed straight for the lottery headquarters. Claiming the prize was way simpler than I thought. I handed over the signed ticket, filled out the claim form, showed my ID, signed a few more papers, and got my photo taken.
The staff said, "Congratulations. After taxes and withholdings, you're looking at a bit over five million dollars. It usually takes about a month for the money to hit your account."
I said, "Thanks."
When I walked out of the lottery headquarters, the sun was so bright it almost hurt my eyes. I stood by the curb, taking a deep breath.
It was five million dollars. I had never seen that much money in my life. My parents had never seen that much money in their lives as well.
David made eighty thousand dollars a year, had a hundred thousand in savings, and owned a car and a house with a down payment. Overall, his net worth was under half a million.
And then? I had ten times as much as he did. The guy who looked down on me for making a thousand dollars a month, the one who tried to kick me out with nothing. He would never have a clue what he lost.
I suddenly burst out laughing. Standing right there on the street, I couldn't stop laughing. People passing by gave me weird looks. I didn't care.
I spent five dollars on a lottery ticket and hit the jackpot, five million dollars. Walking away with nothing on paper meant I got to keep every last cent of that five million for myself. I had never made a better deal in my life.
Back at my mom's place where I was staying for then, I showed her the lottery ticket and the screenshot of the prize message.
My mom was stunned. She stood there in shock for a whole minute. Then she broke down in tears. "Emily, is this real?"
"It's real."
"Five million?"
"A bit over five million dollars."
My mom hugged me tight, breaking down in tears.
"Mom, don't cry," I said as I patted her back. "This is a good thing."
"I know it's a good thing." She sobbed, "I feel like you've suffered so much these past five years."
I felt my own eyes fill with tears. Yeah, I got screwed over.
It was five years. I gave that family my youth, my hard work, and all my passion. And what did I get in return?
Miller sneered, "Do you deserve my son?" David said, "You only make a thousand dollars a month." That coworker made a hundred thousand dollars a year. And the divorce papers that left me with nothing.
Everything was different. I touched the divorce decree in my pocket, then glanced at the notification on my phone.
David, you would never know the woman you looked down on was richer than you.
*****
Over the next month, I took care of a few things.
First, I split the five million across three accounts. I put half a million in checking, three million in Certificate of Deposit, and the rest into investments.
The bank managers were super enthusiastic, constantly recommending all kinds of high-end products. I told them, "Stability first. Safety above all."
Second, I moved out of the small studio David had rented for me. His so-called "clean break" didn't include paying my rent. Anyway, I didn't need it anymore.
Third, I checked out a secondhand apartment downtown. It was about 925 square feet, fully renovated, and going for around half a million dollars.
The real estate agent asked, "Are you paying cash or financing?"
"Cash," I replied.
The agent paused for a second, then suddenly got way more enthusiastic.
Fourth, I handed in my resignation. My boss was caught off guard. "Emily, you were doing fine here. Why leave so suddenly?"
I said, "I'm planning something new."
He didn't press for details and signed off on my papers.
On my last day, I took one last look at my cubicle. I'd been sitting in that cubicle for six years.
Started as an intern, became a full-timer. My salary went from six hundred to a thousand dollars a month. Six years, and my salary only went up by four hundred dollars.
David always said I wasn't ambitious enough. But he never realized this company had a ceiling that couldn't be broken through.
He didn't know I was scrimping and saving every month to stash away a little extra for myself. He never imagined that those savings would one day turn into five million dollars.
Goodbye, cubicle. Next stop was freedom.
Fifth, I changed my number. I only shared it with my mom and my two besties. David? Miller? They could try looking for me but they'd never find me.
On the day I changed my number, my old phone had over twenty unread messages.
Miller: [Emily, why did you delete me?]
Miller: [So you think divorce means you're done with us? Your stuff is still at our place.]
Miller: [You wanted that blanket, right? Come get it. Otherwise, I'll throw it out.]
David: [Emily, where did you move to? I've packed up your things for you.]
David: [Are you doing this out of spite? Tell me what you want.]
David: [Whatever. Contact me when you've figured things out.]
I didn't reply to any of them. I turned off my phone and changed my SIM card. It was a new life, starting from scratch.