Chapter 3

Jared and Jackson started giving me the cold shoulder. In the past, I would have immediately blamed myself, humbled myself, and tried to win them back. But now, I refused to play along. I hadn't done anything wrong. They were only hoping their cold attitude would make me give in.

Eventually, Jackson couldn't hold back and shyly came to me. "Mommy, I finally learned the Pythagorean theorem."

His eager expression made me feel oddly uninterested. Even when I found Jackson clumsy, I used to pretend not to understand, let him explain, and shower him with praise. He would always sigh and mutter, "It's all knowledge. You wouldn't understand it anyway."

After all those pep talks, he actually thought he was a genius. The Pythagorean theorem was easy—I had learned it back when I was a toddler.

Jackson was approaching eight years old and still only learning it, but he strutted around as though he had accomplished something incredible.

I had no time for flattery, so I said lightly, "Good job. Keep it up."

Jackson didn't get the response he wanted. He shot me a furious glare and stormed off. Soon after, the organization found out that Jared hadn't taken his wife to Belmont and sent someone to check.

Jared carried himself with exaggerated self-importance. "Sabrina is an intellectual, and I am convinced that taking her to Belmont is best for her and for the nation. My small family means nothing when duty calls, and my wife fully supports me."

The organization was moved by this sense of duty and approved a grant for our family. Still, when the funds arrived, none of it reached me.

I caught up with Jared while he was out shopping in the county with Jackson and Sabrina. He was already juggling several bags, almost all packed with women's clothes.

"Why are you here? Shouldn't you be at home cleaning and cooking? What are you doing out?" Jared asked, staring down at me like a king, as if I owed him an apology.

I wasn't there to apologize. "Jared, where's the money the organization sent for me?"

Jared snapped, "What money of yours? It's technically in your name, but it was really given because I got promoted to lead in Belmont. How does that make it yours? I decide how to spend it, and you have no right to interfere!

"Besides, you don't even need it here in the village! Prices in Belmont are high, and we can barely make ends meet!"

Looking at Jared's self-righteous face, I felt nothing but disappointment. "Give me the money now, or I'll report this to the higher-ups. This is blatant misuse of funds, and I want to see how you explain it in Belmont."

Jared's eyes widened with rage. "You're impossible to reason with!"

Sabrina was more terrified than anyone at the thought of not going to Belmont. She immediately grabbed Jared's sleeve and said, "Jared, Kylie's upset. Please return the money to her. I don't want it…"

Jared held Sabrina close, slamming his foot in anger. "You jealous woman! You just can't tolerate Sabrina! If you take this money today, it's over—we'll get a divorce!"

Jackson joined the fray, hurling insults and declaring he would never talk to me again, but I stood my ground. A small crowd had gathered, murmuring among themselves.

I had done nothing wrong, and I wasn't afraid. In the end, Jared and Sabrina surrendered and gave me the money.