Chapter 2

I walked through the streets as heavy snow fell.

Christmas Eve. All the shops were closed. I couldn't even spot a single lit-up motel sign.

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

That was the only thing that gave me a glimmer of hope.

I had planned to announce on Christmas Eve that I'd won $100 million in the lottery and promise each of them $20 million.

So Derek could buy a house in New York without worrying and focus on his research.

So Jessica could freely pursue her finance career dreams, and Mom could live comfortably in her old age.

Maybe God took pity on me and didn't want them to take advantage of me. At the last moment, He let me see them for who they really are.

Letting that false sense of family love I'd been clinging to completely fade away.

It was for the best. Not too late.

After searching for a long time, I finally found a small motel still open.

I checked in and had just finished eating some bread when my phone rang.

I looked at the screen. It was my uncle—Mom's brother.

As soon as I answered, his loud, accusatory voice came through:

"You brat! Why did you make your mother angry? You have no respect!"

I shot back, "Mom kicked me out."

He continued blaming me. "That was just angry talk! Why would a child argue with their parents like that?"

"Do you know how hard it was for your mom to raise you? So what if she didn't give you any money?"

"That's your mom's money. She can give it to whoever she wants!"

"Derek has his Ivy League PhD, Jessica has her top MBA. They're the ones who deserve it. You're just a high school dropout with nothing going for you!"

My chest felt tight:

"Just because I didn't do as well in school, I don't deserve fair treatment? I should just be a servant and smile while watching them take everything?"

Richard got even angrier:

"Why are you being so petty with family? You need to think of the bigger picture!"

"Go home right now and apologize to your mother. Someone like you should be the family caretaker!"

I was furious. "Why should I?"

Richard was breathing heavily with anger:

"You brat, how dare you talk back to me! Don't you understand respect? How can you be so dense!"

I hung up and blocked his number.

The world went quiet.