Chapter 3 Every Cent Stolen

Only after the noise outside had completely quieted down did I crouch beside the bed and pull out the metal box from underneath. Inside was all the money I had saved over the past three years—just over 20 thousand.

I remembered every single bit of it clearly: prize money, part-time wages, Christmas gift money.

My living expenses had never been something I could save from. For three years, I had scrimped on food and clothing just to save this much.

And this money might have been all I had left.

My hands trembled as I opened the lid, but the box was empty. Not even a single coin remained.

I shot to my feet and flipped the box over onto the bed, shaking it hard. I turned it back over and searched every corner.

Nothing.

Twenty thousand. Gone without a trace.

I rushed out of my room. The living room lights were still on. My mother was sitting on the sofa, a sheet mask on her face.

"Where's my money?" My voice was dry, like sandpaper.

She did not even look up. "Used it to buy your brother a few things."

I walked closer and saw a phone, a tablet, and a pair of earphones spread across the coffee table. All brand new. The plastic wrap had not even been peeled off.

"Twenty thousand," I said, my throat tightening. "I saved that 20 thousand over three years, and you used it to buy these for Colin?"

Colin James was scrolling through the tablet, a faint smile on his lips, not even sparing me a glance. "Roxy, it's just 20 thousand. A girl doesn't need that much money. Besides, you don't even have expenses. What's the point of saving it?"

My mother's fingers pressed against the edge of the phone box, her knuckles turning white. She avoided my gaze, not daring to look up. "Your brother's phone was old. He needs it for work."

I let out a laugh. The scab at the corner of my lips split and stung, but I still laughed. "His phone was old? Colin, take out your phone."

His hands paused as he unboxed the tablet.

"Take it out." I stared at him.

He pulled out a phone—dark gray, spotless, not a single scratch. Last year's latest model. It had cost more than 8,000 dollars.

"You call this old? It was the newest model just last year, over 8,000. And you're telling me it's old?"

My mother froze mid-motion, her sheet mask half-peeled. "It… it's laggy…"

"Laggy?" I laughed again. "Did the new phone lag or the old one? Have you even touched it? Used it? He just said, 'Mom, my phone's a bit slow,' and you went and bought him a new one. You spent my entire twenty thousand clean. And me? I've told you eight times my shoes were worn through after three years. Did you ever care?"

"You can't put it like that—"

"How should I put it then? Do you dare tell me what kind of house you actually live in at Mariner's Bay, Colin? You keep telling me how hard your life is out there, working yourself to the bone. Tell me then—who bought the sports cars you show off on social media? Also, the watch on your wrist is enough to cover my living expenses for five years. And you're short of this 20 thousand for a phone?"

Colin slammed his old phone down onto the sofa, his voice suddenly rising. "I live in a dorm. What sports car are you talking about? Stop making things up! Mom! Look at her!"

"What are you yelling for?" I raised my voice too. "What are you so guilty about? Tell me which part I got wrong!"

"Shut up!" Colin stood up, his face flushed red. "You live off this family. So what if I spent your 20 thousand? Don't you dare complain!"

"I can't complain? Where were you when I was working past midnight? Where were you when I was going hungry at school? You live on 300 thousand a month, yet you still fight me over 20 thousand. Colin James, have you no shame at all?"