Chapter 6
Chapter 6
I wrapped my arms around her, my own tears falling.
Being the oldest, she had it even worse than me.
Pulled out of school at fifteen by Mom to work, finally getting on her feet-only to be tricked back home because some guy was offering a fat dowry.
They married her off to that limping old creep.
He either hit her or screamed at her.
One day, she ran home for safety, but Aunt Karen dragged her right back to him that very night.
After that, Mom avoided her like the plague, afraid that lame bastard would ask for the dowry back-which Uncle Jake and Mom had already blown.
In three years, my sister had two daughters.
The creep decided he didn’t want to “feed three women” and kicked them all out.
“…Shouldn’t we give Mom and Dad a little something? I mean… they raised us…” she asked hesitantly.
“Don’t be stupid. If murder was legal, Mom would’ve finished us off years ago,” I said flatly, then tightened my grip on her hand.
“No one loves us, so we’re gonna love ourselves.”
She held my gaze for a long moment before finally nodding.
When she cashed in the $750,000 ticket, I stayed far back, watching her walk out with roughly $600,000 after
taxes.
By then, I was already on the bus back home.
Money wasn’t enough.
I wanted the people who’d hurt me to get what they deserved.
“What?! My gold necklace is gone?!”
The crash of something breaking came through the door. I took a deep breath.
14:45
Walgreens Notified Me About His ‘Plan B’ Purchase… So 1 Upgraded Him to Plan Bankruptcy
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Chapter 6
“I swear, it was right here in this drawer.”
“Only Old Sam and I have been in this room-well, and Liam,” Mom muttered, pacing.
“You saying Liam stole your necklace?”
Uncle Jake roared, snatching a broken plate from the floor and nearly hurling it at her face.
‘Are you outta your mind? You don’t even know who’s family anymore!”
Why not accuse someone else?!”
iam burst into tears and bolted behind me the second I stepped in.
What’s that supposed to mean?” Dad folded up his paper, frowning.
Mom’s wailing stopped.
I mean-damn it, Jessi-you’ve lost it!” Uncle Jake shot a glance at Aunt Karen.
Who here is the outsider, huh? What’s your last name, what’s mine?”
Who’s really not one of us?!”
Mom froze.
unt Karen quickly stepped in.
Sis, Jake’s your brother. And Liam’s just a kid-he wouldn’t steal anything.”
ealizing how that sounded, she quickly added, “We’ll just replace it if it’s gone.”
iam piped up too. “Yeah! Why would I steal?”
Family’s what matters. We gotta stick together,” Aunt Karen cooed, patting Mom’s chest.
When Liam grows up, he’ll buy you one even bigger and heavier.”
This is nothing. We just gotta keep the peace.”
Mom’s face softened.
I didn’t mean it like that, Jake,”
But Uncle Jake wouldn’t drop it.
14:45
Walgreens Notified Me About His Plan B’ Purchase… So I Upgraded Him to Plan Bankruptcy’
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Chapter 6
“Come on, honey. We’re the outsiders now! Jessi’s a Sam family woman… Come on, Liam!”
I stepped in fast.
“Uncle Jake, maybe you should ask Liam if he even wants to go.”
Liam glanced at the snacks in my hand and changed his tune.
“Dad, I wanna stay at Aunt Amy’s.”
Aunt Karen grabbed Uncle Jake’s arm and pretended to scold him.
“Knock it off, Jake-she’s your sister!”
She shoved him into the bedroom, then turned to take my backpack.
“Long day, huh, Amy? How’d it go?”
I ignored Mom’s surprised look.
“Ugh, didn’t find a job. Wasted a few bucks on scratch-offs, though.”
Aunt Karen’s eyes lit up instantly.
14:45
Walgreens Notified Me About His ‘Plan B’ Purchase… So I Upgraded Him to Plan Bankruptcy’
