Chapter 3

I staggered back two steps from the shove.

Once I steadied myself, I felt strangely calm.

“Fine. I won’t stay for dinner.”

I took out my phone, turned on the recording function, and held it up in front of them.

“Since you’ve already taken things this far, let me make something clear as well.

“First, that hundred thousand was money I left with Mom for safekeeping. I have the transfer records, and I also have voice messages where Mom admitted she was holding it for me.

“That money counts as unjust enrichment. I will file a lawsuit to recover it.

“Second, Dad’s accident compensation and the redevelopment payment from the old house both count as inheritance and shared family assets.

“As a first-priority heir, I’m entitled to my share. I will be taking that money back as well.”

The room erupted in shock.

The relatives stared at me like I was some kind of monster.

My mother’s face changed instantly. She screamed and lunged at me, trying to grab my phone. “Suzy! You dare sue me? I’m your mother, you ungrateful brat!

“I raised you all those years, and now you want to sue your own mother over money?”

I turned sideways and dodged her swipe, speaking coldly.

“You remember you’re my mother now? When you handed me that two dollars, did you remember I was your daughter? When you spent two million on a house for Victor, did you remember me then?

“You raised me when I was young, and I’ll take care of you when you’re old. That’s fair. But that doesn’t mean I have to support a useless brother, and it certainly doesn’t mean I’ll let you drain me dry.”

When Victor saw that my mother hadn’t managed to grab my phone, he rushed forward as if ready to hit me.

“Damn it, you’ve got some nerve! Causing trouble in my new house? You want me to slap you?”

I didn’t step back. Instead, I took a step forward and stared straight at him.

“Go ahead. Touch me and see what happens. I’ll call the police right now. You just started working at the Rivers Group. Let’s see if they still want you after you get a police record.”

The moment his job was mentioned, Victor backed down.

His raised hand froze in midair as he glared at me through clenched teeth.

“Fine, Suzy. You’re ruthless. For a little money, you’re willing to throw family away.”

“Family?” I let out a cold laugh. “That’s your version of family, not mine. In this house, I’m nothing but an ATM. An outsider.”

My gaze swept across the relatives who had been pointing fingers at me just moments earlier.

“Today, in front of everyone here, I’m formally notifying you. Within three days, transfer the hundred thousand I left with you, along with my share of Dad’s compensation and the redevelopment payment. Every dollar of it.

“Otherwise, the court summons will be mailed straight to Victor’s company.

“And starting today, I’m removing my name from the family registration. From now on, other than the minimum support required by law, I won’t give you another cent.”

After saying that, I didn’t bother looking at their stunned faces. I turned and walked out.

Behind me, my mother’s heart-wrenching cries rang out.

“What kind of curse is this! How did I raise such a monster! Cutting ties with your own mother over two dollars!”

The relatives’ accusations and Victor’s angry shouting blended into a chaotic noise behind me.

I strode out the door and stepped into the elevator.

The moment the elevator doors closed, I leaned against the wall of the cabin, and the tears finally fell.

Only now did I truly accept the truth.

My mother had never loved me.

After leaving the building, I took out my phone and called Ethan.

His warm, steady voice came through the line. “Suzy? What’s wrong? Your voice doesn’t sound right.”

Hearing him, the tension I’d been holding finally broke.

“Ethan…” I choked out. “I don’t have a home anymore.”

There was a brief silence before his voice came back, firm and certain.

“Where are you? I’ll come get you. As long as I’m there, you’ll always have a home.”