Chapter 2

With that, I turned and left, ignoring their shouts behind me.

Back in my apartment.

I collapsed onto the floor, tears finally flowing freely.

After crying for a long time, I calmed down and started thinking of a plan.

I contacted a professional lawyer and explained the situation in detail.

The lawyer listened, frowning.

He said the will had major issues with authenticity and legality.

Especially putting all the debt on me, clearly against the law.

The will was invalid.

Hearing this, I felt a weight lift off my shoulders.

During this time, Mom and Brother bombarded me with messages.

They accused me of being unfilial, saying I'd grown independent.

My sister-in-law pretended to advise me not to make things ugly.

I ignored them all.

Until one day, I came home after work.

I found the door wide open.

I thought it was a break-in and was about to call the police.

Then I heard a familiar voice.

It was my nephew's voice.

"I like this cat, I want to take it home."

Hearing my nephew's voice, I was startled.

I rushed inside.

The living room was a mess, clothes and books scattered everywhere.

Mom, Brother, and Sister-in-law stood in the center.

My nephew crouched in a corner, trying to grab my cat.

The kitten struggled, crying out.

"What are you doing?"

I shouted angrily, my voice echoing in the empty room.

Mom was startled by my shout, a flash of panic on her face.

But she quickly returned to her self-righteous demeanor.

"Cora, how can you talk like that?"

"We're your family, can't we come to see you?"

Mom spoke while picking up a piece of clothing from the floor, casually folding it and placing it on the sofa.

"Do you need to turn my house upside down to visit?"

"And who let you allow the kid to grab my cat?"

I quickly went to my nephew, gently taking the cat from his arms.

"Auntie's stingy, I just wanted to play."

My nephew pouted, looking unhappy.

"Alright, alright, he's just a kid, why argue with him?"

Sister-in-law pretended to smooth things over.

"We came today to talk things out. We're family, no need to make it like this."

"Talk about what? About me paying off the debt?"

"Yes, it's Dad's wish. You can't ignore it."

"Get out, I have nothing to say to you."

Brother, who had been silent, turned grim at my words.

Suddenly, he stepped forward.

"The will is from Dad. You think just saying it's invalid will make it go away?"

"You have to pay Dad's debts, or you'll be an ungrateful traitor!"

I pointed to the door, yelling: "The debt allocation is unfair. I'm not stupid enough to inherit it. Get out!"

"Cora, don't talk to your brother like that."

Mom played the family card again.

"We have no choice. Your brother's business failed, and he owes a lot."

"Help us carry this debt, and we'll treat you well in the future."

I couldn't help but laugh.

"The future? Do you think I still believe you?"

Mom has said "in the future" too many times.

"But when has it ever come true? Every time you coax and deceive me, making me pay for your greed!"

Mom once asked me to give her my paycheck, promising to save it for me.

But last year, when I got sick and asked for some money, she said it was gone, used for Brother's business.

She said Brother would pay me back...

Things like this happened so often in recent years.