Chapter 2 Don't Be Ungrateful

It had only been several hours, yet my phone was already blowing up with calls and messages from relatives, all demanding I pay back the money.

My cousin's family had been trashing my reputation for a long time. So, everyone would take their word for it. No one would ever bother to listen to little old me. To them, my side of the story didn't matter.

So, I blocked them all.

The very next day, Jasmine and my aunt showed up at my workplace, dragging a group of relatives with them. They barged in like they were out for blood.

As soon as Jasmine spotted me, she dropped to her knees, her eyes red and swollen from crying. "Please, Kaelyn, I'm begging you! Just return the money for Grandma's surgery. You can buy a car any time, but she won't even make it to the end of the month if she doesn't receive the surgery!"

A crowd of coworkers gathered, curious about the scene.

Of course, my relatives wasted no time twisting the story, exaggerating like they had so many times before.

Colleagues who had been friendly with me now shot me looks of suspicion and disgust, their opinions shifting in an instant.

"Who would've thought a quiet girl like her could stoop so low? Stealing her own grandmother's surgery money!"

"Stealing to buy a car, too! What kind of person does that?"

"If I had a daughter like her, I'd beat her within an inch of her life."

"My diamond ring's been missing for a while. I bet she swiped that, too!"

Their whispers seeped into my ears like the murmurs of devils, pinning me to a pillar of shame.

I fought to keep my voice steady as I retorted, "Just because you say I stole the money, that makes it true? Where's your proof?"

Jasmine sniffled dramatically. "Why would we come all the way here without proof? The security cameras at home caught you taking Grandma's surgery money. We didn't want to show the footage publicly. We're trying to save you some face."

What a load of nonsense. The thief in the video was her. That was how the family found out she was the one who stole it!

I fixed her with a cold stare. "I don't care about saving face. Go ahead, show me the footage if you have it."

"I can't do that," she muttered.

"Can't? Or don't even have it?"

Jasmine's face flushed as if with frustration. She raised her voice, eyes red, "You were naked when you stole the money! If I release that video, how will you face your co-workers? I'm only holding back because I don't want to hurt you like that!"

My aunt spat at my feet. "You shameless little thief! Pay up, or we'll release that video for everyone to see!"

"Mom, please don't," Jasmine begged, looking pitiful as she turned toward me. "She's still my cousin after all." Then, with a pleading expression, she added, "Kaelyn, I'm begging you, just return the money. It was never yours to begin with."

"Yeah, Kaelyn, just pay it back already!"

"You're in the wrong here."

A chorus of voices chimed in, pressuring me from all sides.

I couldn't outmatch Jasmine's crocodile tears and twisted words. So, I pulled out my phone, ready to call the police.

She noticed my actions and jumped to her feet the second she sensed trouble. She reached for my phone as panic flashed in her eyes. "Don't call them! You'll end up in jail!"

I dodged her easily. Before I could dial, a hand shot out from behind me and snatched my phone.

I spun around to see Joziah, panting as if he had run a marathon. My blood boiled. I could have strangled him right then.

"Give me my phone back!" I snapped, my patience gone.

"Jasmine's right. Calling the police isn't an option," Joziah said, holding my phone out of reach. "Kaelyn, this can't be swept under the rug anymore. You've stolen a lot of money, and I can't just stand by and watch you throw your life away by ending up in jail. I'll cover the 300 thousand. You don't have to worry."

My anger flared, and I slapped him hard across the face. "Who asked for your help? Give me my phone!"

He ignored me, turning instead to Jasmine. "Give me your bank account number. I'll transfer the money now."

"Okay! Oh, Joziah, thank you so much. I'd feel so guilty if she really called the police and got herself thrown in jail."

They were already getting ready to finalize the transfer.

I clenched my teeth, desperate to stop them. Alas, my relatives and co-workers held me back.

"Kaelyn, don't be ungrateful."

"Yeah, you should count yourself lucky for having a boyfriend like Mr. Roach, who's willing to bail you out. You owe him big time."

"At least your cousin's family didn't press charges. You should be thankful for that."

It had always been this way. Jasmine would fling dirt on my name and then play the gracious victim. Meanwhile, Joziah would swoop in, taking the blame on my behalf before paying off the damages like a saint. He would then be praised by everyone around him.

As for me? I was forever the one accused, the one berated and despised.

I watched their mouths open and close, spewing venomous words at me. Yet, all I could feel was this sinking dread, like I was caught in quicksand. The harder I fought, the deeper I sank. It wouldn't take long for the ground to swallow me whole, stifling my breath and choking the air from my lungs.

Suddenly, two police officers shoved their way into the crowd, cutting through the commotion.

The younger, taller one stepped forward and asked, "Who called the cops?"