3

443words
I gave a bitter smile.
Mom had always favored boys.That’s why I studied so hard,earning a spot at a local public university with low tuition— only $3,000 per year.
With scholarships,grants,and part-time jobs,I never asked for money.The cash I gave Mom far exceeded my tuition.

Now she wanted $30,000 from me,a student?
Like I was her ATM.
Clenching my fists,I feigned innocence.“I didn’t say anything.Maybe she saw your bankbook?”
“Mom,I’ll be interning next semester,making $6,000-$7,000 a month.If you cause a scene now,I won’t be able to earn that much.If I get expelled,my degree will be wasted,and I’ll lose my job.”
Hearing about my internship salary,Mom calmed down.
Messing with her cash cow wasn’t worth it.

“Maybe Steven said somethng…”she muttered.“Sarah,this is my life savings.Can you borrow some money from your classmates?Rachel won’t let this go!”
She started her poor act again.
I agreed vaguely,with no intention of giving a cent.
Just then,loud banging and Rachel’s curses came through the phone.Mom hung up.

I opened my phone,pulling up the home security feed.
Last year,Rachel insisted on security cameras,fearing Mom and I would touch her stuff.Since I was the one paying for them, I linked them to my phone, giving me full access.
In the footage,Rachel dragged Mom from her room.At Rachel’s command,Steven found the bankbook.
Seeing the $30,000,Rachel slapped Mom’s face.“You old witch!Denying that you have the money?So stingy with your own grandson?Don’t expect me to take care of you!”
“My son’s destined for greatness.How’s he end up with a miserly grandma like you?”
Mom’s face swelled up red.Since she couldn’t lay a hand on a pregnant Rachel,so she sobbed,cursing Steven for being an ungrateful son who chose his wife over his mother.
Watching their chaos,I felt a rush of satisfaction.
If Mom had shown me mercy in my past life,sending my injured body to a hospital,I might’ve survived.
But she had been heartless,never treating me as part of the family.
She couldn’t blame me for being an “unfilial” daughter.
After enjoying the show,I searched for local prenatal classes,birthing centers,and maternity spas,picking the priciest ones.Using a burner number,I called,pretending my“friend”was pregnant,and gave them Rachel’s contact information.
Women and kids’money is easy to make.Those places would hound Rachel non-stop.
Soon,Mom called again,begging me to come home that weekend to talk Rachel out of her spending.
I agreed.
The moment I got home,I laid into Rachel.
“A $2,000 prenatal class?That’s nothing!You’ve got to give my nephew a head start!”
“Sign up for this elite private course—it’s $7,000 a month.It’s perfect for you and the baby.Even your boss would be jealous!”
“And that $800 crib?What if it’s cheap and releases harmful formaldehyde?It could hurt my nephew’s health!”
Previous Chapter
Catalogue
Next Chapter