Chapter 3

The peace lasted less than a week.

One morning, while I was out walking Lucky, Derek suddenly called. His voice was surprisingly gentle.

"Sis, Mom's birthday is coming up. Even if you're throwing a tantrum, you can't skip something like this."

"She still cares about you. She was just saying she wanted to buy you some clothes. Come on over."

I was a little surprised.

But then I thought, she was still my mother, at least in her own mind. Maybe she really did want to make up but was too proud to say it first.

Fine. I'd give her one more chance.

I settled Lucky at home, grabbed my jacket, and headed to the mall.

When I pushed through the doors, I saw Mom clinging to Derek's arm outside a jewelry store, chatting about something.

When she spotted me, she squeezed out a smile and grabbed my arm.

"Vivian, honestly, I said a couple of things and you blew it all out of proportion."

She held out a designer shopping bag.

"Look at this. I picked it out just for you. You know it's my birthday, and I'm the one buying you a gift? So don't you dare say I favor Derek anymore."

My heart softened. I took the bag.

But the second I looked inside, I froze.

Inside was a wrinkled shirt reeking of mothballs.

The exact same smell as the clothes I'd seen on the $6.99 clearance rack outside the mall entrance.

She couldn't even be bothered to fake a real peace offering.

I slowly looked up, said nothing, and gave Mom a thin smile.

That seemed to satisfy her. Her eyes drifted toward the jewelry store.

"Vivian, it's still early. How about we go browse some other shops?"

This time I really did laugh.

I knew exactly what she was up to. She wanted to trade a $6.99 shirt for me buying her gold jewelry.

And that gold would almost certainly end up on Derek's wrist.

Clever woman.

But I didn't push back. I just smiled faintly.

"Sure, Mom. Whatever you say."

Mom immediately shot Derek a look, then happily pulled me into the jewelry store.

The counter lights were blinding.

Before either of them could open their mouths, I pointed straight at the thickest gold chain in the display case and told the clerk, "I'll take that one."

Mom blinked, then broke into a delighted grin.

"Oh, you've always been so generous. Well, I'll just accept your gift then..."

"Have it turned into a dog collar. Make it sturdy. Lucky's strong."

I cut her off, perfectly calm.

The air froze solid.

Mom's face went from flushed to pale, then settled into a sickly gray.

She grabbed my wrist and hissed through clenched teeth, "You're doing this on purpose, aren't you? That's gold!"

"Your brother can barely keep up with the mortgage on his condo. Instead of helping this family, you're throwing money away on a stray mutt you picked up off the street?"

I yanked my arm free and looked at her coldly.

"Mom, you've got it wrong. That condo is in Derek's name. What does it have to do with me?"

"He gets all the benefits, and when the bill comes, suddenly it's my responsibility? Even charity doesn't work like that."

"You..." Mom shrieked, drawing stares from everyone around us. "You'd choose an animal over your own family? You heartless monster!"

A heartless monster.

So no matter how much I'd given, in the end, that was all I amounted to.

I let out two short laughs and forced the tears back down.

"Mom, don't you always say you love us equally?"

"Well, I'm learning from you. I gave my money to the dog, but all my love? That's still all for you."

A slap cracked through the store.

A sharp slap landed across my face, stinging and hot.

Mom's hand was trembling, her eyes blazing with fury.

"Get out! You selfish, heartless monster!"

I pressed my hand to my cheek and looked at her.

The last trace of warmth in my eyes disappeared.