chapter 1
After winning 200 million dollars in the lottery, I quit my job and returned to my hometown.
As I arrived at the station in my hometown, I called my dad to pick me up. He asked me why I came back.
Jokingly, I said I was laid off and came back to live off the family.
It was pouring rain, and I waited until evening, but he never showed up.
Braving the storm, I made my way home. As I reached the door, I heard Marcela Human, my sister–in–law, complaining,
“Was it so urgent? We had to transfer the title in this downpour, and now look how drenched I am.”
Mom said, “It’s all for your sake. Alina lost her job. Do you want to give the house back to her?”
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Marcela sneered, “If she‘ s back, let her rent a place. I’m not used to living with my sister–in–law.”
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I stood at the door, unsure if it was the cold rain soaking me to the bone, or the chill in my heart.
My whole body trembled uncontrollably.
Droplets rolled down my cheeks to the edge of my lips, and I licked them.
It was salty.
Today’s rain tasted salty.
I stood there for a long time before finally knocking on the door. In this house, Mom favored my brother, and Dad was always silent, but my brother, Colton Weinberg, had always loved me.
He wouldn’t drive me out, would he?
It was my mother who answered the door.
A strained smile creased her face.
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“Alina, you’re back.”
I nodded, entered, and changed my soaked shoes, hearing her explain, “The rain was too heavy. Your dad couldn’t get out. He was planning to wait until it eased up before picking you up.”
“How did you get here? By taxi?”
“Yeah.”
As I swapped shoes, I noticed a few pairs lying around, soaking wet. I pretended to be clueless and asked her, “Did you go out?”
Mom frowned at the sight of the wet shoes
but found an excuse.
“We were at Marcela’s parents‘ place before the rain. Just got back and got all
wet.
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I said “oh” lightly and walked towards my room with my suitcase.
When I opened the door, I found it filled
with clutter.
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I stood at the door and looked at my mother. “Mom, what’s going on?”
My mother twitched her lips, looking
embarrassed.
“The house is crowded with stuff, and you don’t stay often, so we used it for storage.”
“What about my things?”
Mom quickly opened the balcony door and pointed. “Over there, Marcela packed them up for you.”
I glanced at the bags on the balcony, crammed with a mess of my belongings.
“Whose idea was this?
“This house was bought with my money. Am I not even entitled to a room?”
Mom hung her head, feigning helplessness, while Marcela shouted
arrogantly from outside, “Alina Weinberg, so what if you bought the house? Are you kicking me out now?”
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“You‘ re all family, but I’m the outsider.” I said.
Tired of arguing, I pushed open the study door. My brother, Colton, was inside playing a game.
“Colton, they turned my room into a storage closet. Where am I supposed to stay?”
He took off his headset and looked at me. “Give me a minute, I’m almost done.”
I stood there, watching. After finishing his game, he walked over.
“Don’t be mad. It’s Mom and Marcela. They’re always saying there’s too much stuff and no place to put it, so they used your room.
“How about this? Marcela and I will stay at a hotel for a few days. You can use our room.”
As he spoke, he asked, “How long are you staying this time?”
