Chapter 1

After hitting the jackpot with 100 million, I didn't hesitate to hand in my resignation and went home to embrace the good life.

But just three days after I got home, I overheard Ruby Pendleton grumbling.

"When is she leaving? The place is small enough as it is, and now she's just cramping our space," she murmured.

My brother, Lucas Pendleton, said to our parents, "She's young; shouldn't she be out there working? What's she even doing back here anyway?"

My parents, rocking my nephew in their arms, tried to placate Ruby. "We'll talk to her about moving out in a couple of days."

After that, the whole family started making things difficult for me.

It was funny how everyone seemed to forget that I was the one who paid for this place.

*****

When I told my family I was quitting my job and moving back home, my mom asked with genuine concern, "Why'd you quit? Were you just too tired?"

I kept my lottery win a secret, so I just brushed it off with, "Yeah, I just need a break for a while."

My mom's voice was gentle. "Sweetie, just come home. This will always be your safe haven."

I was honestly touched, even felt a little guilty for hiding the truth. But thinking about the chaos coming my way if I told them, I figured it was safer to keep my mouth shut.

The day I came home, my folks had whipped up a whole feast just for me.

My brother, Lucas Pendleton, kept checking in, fussing over me. His wife, Ruby Pendleton, and I weren't super close, but she was surprisingly nice this time.

The long-lost warmth of my family got me all emotional. If things could stay this chill, I'd be happy to bankroll the whole family.

After dinner, I grabbed my stuff and headed for my room, but Ruby stepped right in front of me, eyes wide. "Wait, you want to move in here?"

I grinned, "Of course. This is my room. Where else am I supposed to crash?"

"Uh, but I'm actually living here now," she stammered.

"I need to get up all night to feed Zick, and Lucas works during the day. I didn't want to bother him, so I've been staying here with the baby," she added.

I didn't say a word. I just gave Mom a look, waiting for her to say something.

I remembered telling her that if anyone wanted my room, they had to ask me first.

I also remembered my mom promising that my room would always be waiting for me, and I could come home whenever I wanted.

Mom's eyes darted away for a moment before she came over, gently squeezing my hand as she soothed me. "It's just that Zick keeps crying and waking up all night. That's why I asked Ruby to stay in your room with him for now.

"Your return caught me off guard; I honestly just forgot about it."

"Caught off guard? I told you over the phone two days ago I was coming," I said.

Mom's face fell a little, and I sighed quietly, not wanting to make things worse for her.

I held back my complaints and asked as nicely as I could, "So, where am I supposed to sleep?"

Ruby jumped in quickly, "Why don't you just crash on the couch for now? It folds out into a bed."

I kept quiet, and the atmosphere instantly got awkward.

Seeing that I clearly wasn't happy about it, my dad tried to play peacemaker. "How about I take the couch, and you sleep with your mom?"

"I'm used to sleeping alone," I said flatly.

The room fell silent again, and my dad's expression soured. He'd never had my mom's patience for me.

I'd had enough. I was tired, so I said it straight. "Either Lucas takes the couch, or you and Zick move back to his room. I just want my own space back."

"Are you serious?" Ruby shot back, her temper flaring.

Honestly, I didn't even get why she was so worked up about this.

Lucas tugged at her arm, saying, "Alright, just take Zick and go sleep in our room. If that's really not possible, then I'll take the couch. Amy doesn't come home often; let her have her way this time."

After he said that, Ruby, though she looked pretty ticked off, didn't argue with me anymore.

I glanced at Lucas with a bit of relief. He made the right choice.

Lucas and I have always had this classic sibling rivalry thing going on—lots of teasing, lots of bickering, but we were tight. He was never much of an overachiever, but he had always been the reliable family type, putting us first. Even as we grew up, he'd still let me get away with stuff more than anyone else.

After he got married, we didn't talk as much anymore. Honestly, I'd expected him to side with Ruby all the time. So the fact that he was still willing to speak up for me, even now, really meant a lot.