Chapter 5

All I could hear on the other end was David's heavy breathing.

I could picture his face right now, probably a weird mix of pale and red, completely mortified.

"Emma, was that really necessary?" he finally managed.

"I'm telling it like it is."

"Fine." His voice turned sharp, dripping with wounded pride. "Guess I was wrong to think you'd miss us.

"Let me tell you something. Don't come crying when reality hits. A small-town girl like you? Out there on your own? You'll be begging to come back before the month's out."

I laughed softly into the phone. "Don't hold your breath."

I hung up and blocked his number in one smooth motion. The silence that followed was beautiful.

I stepped to the curb and flagged down a cab. "Take me to the biggest mall in town."

My first order of business was a total transformation. Head to toe.

The old Emma, the frumpy, faded version, was about to be buried for good.

I walked into the gleaming mall and headed straight for the designer stores I'd only ever window-shopped before.

A saleswoman glided toward me, smile in place. "Welcome! How can I help you today?"

I gestured at my worn dress. "Everything but me. Top to bottom. The best you've got."

She blinked once, then her smile widened. "Absolutely, ma'am. Right this way."

Two hours later, I walked out in a Chanel suit, Jimmy Choos, and a Birkin dangling from my arm.

My hair was freshly blown out, my makeup done by someone who actually knew what they were doing.

I caught my reflection in the mall's glass facade and almost didn't recognize myself.

Was this really the same woman who'd spent three years chained to a stove?

Money. It really did change everything.

Back at the hotel, I dumped my shopping bags on the couch and flopped down beside them.

Tomorrow, the real show would begin.

I grabbed my phone and messaged an old college friend, someone I hadn't talked to in years. She was a partner at a headhunting firm now.

"Hey, Sophia. You still awake? Need a favor. I'm starting my own accounting firm. Can you help me find some talent?"

*****

At 7:25 the next evening, the Browns sat around their dining table, picking at their food.

The mood was sour. David had been sulking ever since Emma tore into him on the phone. He hadn't said much since.

Karen dropped a pork into his bowl. "Enough moping over that witch. It's a blessing in disguise.

"I'll find you someone better. Someone with money, class, and a working uterus."

Lisa jumped in. "Yeah, David. Those country girls are slippery. You'll never win against one.

"Did you see how cool she acted when she left? Bet she already had some guy lined up."

David kept quiet, pushing his food around. His mind was a mess, full of frustration.

He hated to admit it, but Emma was right. He was weak. A pushover.

For the first time, he realized the family didn't work without Emma around.

When Emma was here, everything ran. The place was spotless, meals were hot, and laundry was folded.

Now? One day in, and it already looked like a frat house.

Karen and Lisa didn't lift a finger. They never had.

"Enough about her," Karen said through a mouthful of pork. "Bad luck, that one. Turn on the TV.

"I heard somebody in the city won the big lottery today. It was 1.5 million!"

Lisa grabbed the remote and flipped to the local news.

The anchor was delivering today's story. "And now, we have a special story. The city lottery center welcomed a very lucky winner today.

"Ms. Grant hit the jackpot in last week's drawing, taking home a staggering 1.5 million dollars.

"After claiming her prize, Ms. Grant generously donated thirty thousand dollars to the local disability foundation. She also sat down with us for an exclusive interview."

Karen's eyes went wide with envy. "Some people have all the luck. That is 1.5 million dollars. Who are these people? What did they do to deserve that?"

Lisa's face twisted with the same jealousy. "She won a 1.5 million. That's set for life. Never work another day."