All Chapters of No Home Tonight: Chapter 1 - Chapter 9

9 Chapters

Chapter 1

New Year's Eve was buzzing with excitement as I was set to pick up my brother and his girlfriend for our family dinner. With my daughter Tracy in tow, I drove my shiny new car, eager to welcome them.However, when they climbed aboard, my brother's girlfriend shot me a frosty glare. "Henry, you never mentioned your sister had a kid living with you!" she snapped.I was taken aback, ready to clear the air, but my brother cut in, "Oh, she doesn't stay with us. She'll head to a hotel after dropping us off."Her face softened at that, and I bit back my unease, wondering what my brother was playing at.He leaned in, whispering like he was sharing a state secret, "Sis, don't stir up any drama. My girl is the Cromwell Group CEO's daughter!"I felt a jolt. The Cromwell Group? Was that not the company my ex-husband had just handed over to me as part of our divorce settlement?In the car, my mind was a whirlwind of doubts and questions, trying to piece together the truth.Suzy Scott's nose

Chapter 2

However, Suzy slammed her utensils down. "Henry, is this really how your family treats me? I'd be better off going home for the holidays."My brother was quick to smooth things over. "Suzy, it's pitch-black outside, where could you possibly go?"Mom chimed in quickly, "Yeah, Suzy, don't pick a fight with her. She hardly ever comes home, just for New Year's. They can crash in the guest room, and you guys take the master."Our place did not have any fancy floor heating, and out of all three rooms, the guest room was the only one without a heater.With the mercury dipping below freezing, how could Mom stand for that?Suzy snorted, "Doesn't she have her own place? Dragging her kid back to her parents' for the holidays, isn't she worried about the gossip?"I shot up from my seat, fuming, "Since when do I need your okay to come back to my own house?"I had poured everything into this house. Ever since I graduated, Mom and Dad had not worked a day. I spent my paychecks and savings to g

Chapter 3

Suzy huffed, "You don't have to go. Henry told me your ex-husband is loaded, right? We're tying the knot soon, so how about you buy us a house in Kingsgate City? I'll let bygones be bygones."I nearly burst out laughing. "You've got some nerve! Do you have any idea how much those Kingsgate City houses cost?"However, she just smirked and said, "Of course I do. Our family owns a place there. If you don't even have a Kingsgate City house, what makes you think you're good enough to marry into our family?"If you're not on board, maybe I'll just end the pregnancy!"'It's not my kid. She can do whatever she wants,' I mused.However, the moment she said that, Mom panicked. She grabbed my arm so hard that it hurt. "No way, that's my precious grandchild you're talking about, Amy! How much money did you get? Spill it!" she pleaded.I bit my lip. My ex did not just leave me and my daughter with a million in cash; he threw in several properties and even a whole company.My younger brother

Chapter 4

Mom yanked me up and shoved my daughter and me toward the door. "Out, out, out! You wanted to leave, didn't you? Then go, and fast! Can't even bother to bring a present, what kind of family does that?"Suzy was all smug, showing off her fancy nails and shooting me a taunting grin."You're really going through with this? Don't you feel bad? If not for yourself, then at least think of your daughter."I don't need much for a welcome gift—just stick to our family tradition and make it ten thousand dollars," she said.My brother shot me a look, "Sis, Suzy's trying to let you off easy. Don't throw it back in her face, okay?"Tracy was shoved to the front door, her face ghost-white with fear.I wrapped my arms around her in a flash, gritting my teeth. "I could sell everything I own and still not scrape together ten thousand dollars. You want money from me? In your dreams!"With that, I scooped up my daughter and bolted out the door.The howling wind and snow swallowed the sounds of th

Chapter 5

My younger brother chimed in quickly, "You're right on time. With the crowd we've got waiting to dine, we can't have them hogging a table."Suzy, a flicker of panic in her eyes, managed to say calmly, "He's got a point. We should be moving along with guests without reservations, right?"The restaurant manager looked confused, glancing between the assertive Suzy and me. "What's the deal here?"Before he could dig deeper, Suzy, tugging at my brother's arm, said hastily, "I'm starving, let's just go back and eat."However, my brother would not let it go. "Why should we leave? She's been flaunting her fancy husband and snubbing me for too long. It's about time she got a taste of her own medicine."Amy, did you suddenly go deaf? I'm waiting for an apology here. You think you're all that just because you've thrown some change our way before?"I sipped my coffee, a sharp edge to my voice as I retorted, "Remind me: Since you've got that associate's degree, have you worked a single day? O

Chapter 6

In a flash, my brother and mom were on the phone, dialing 911 to whisk Suzy away to the hospital.As they rushed out, my brother shot me a look that could freeze lava. "Seriously? You're eating? If Suzy or a kid suffers because of you, you're done for!"Dad was still cool as a cucumber, taking the relatives out for a fancy dinner. If he could chill, so could I.I had always been the golden child, making my parents proud in front of our relatives.We were talking about a place where the tab ran up dozens per head, and we just waltzed in like it was nothing.There I was, just me and my girl, savoring our feast in a private room, when the manager popped in. "Ma'am, the folks next door say you're picking up their tab today."I had to hand it to the manager, keeping his cool and all smiles even after the drama that just unfolded."What'd they rack up?" I asked, taking a sip of water."They went all out—ordered every dish on the menu, snagged five king crabs, uncorked six bottles of

Chapter 7

I locked eyes with my dad and asked him icily, "How much more gratitude do you expect from me? Everyone has seen what I've done for this family over the years. If it's about repaying debts, I've done that ten times over."From here on out, you might as well forget you have a daughter, because I'm ready to be an orphan."Dad was panting with rage, his teeth clenched as he jabbed a finger at me. "You think you can just walk away? Let me tell you something: no matter what, I'm still your dad."He gestured wildly at the glass table, threatening, "If you don't cough up some cash for food today, I'll bash my head in right here!"I dodged out of the way. "Go on, do it. If you die, don't expect me to mourn you."Dad was shaking like a leaf, causing a scene with a string of curses that could make a sailor blush.However, no matter how loud he got, I was not going to fork over any cash. Meanwhile, our relatives were freaking out, hurling insults my way.Everything changed when the cops sh

Chapter 8

I could not help but laugh. "You really think you can see Dad? He might just be around. How about a family reunion?"The officer leaned in. "Here's the deal. James Parker got nabbed for skipping out on his bill. Who's going to cover the fine?"The fine was a whopper. Just like that, Mom and my younger brother clammed up.I shot my brother a look. "Doesn't your girlfriend's family own the place? Can't you get her to let it slide?"He tried to speak, but the words just would not come out.Mom was on him in a flash. "Call Suzy, quick! We can't have your dad ringing in the New Year behind bars!"However, my brother's call did not go well. He slunk back, looking like he had lost his best friend."Suzy is calling us shameless," he mumbled. "She's talking about getting an abortion."Mom did not waste a second, dragging him off to the hospital, Dad in jail completely forgotten.Just then, my ex-husband called."I found some dirt on the guy you asked about. I'll shoot it over to you."

Chapter 9

My brother cracked a grin. "At least you've got some sense in you! Should've come around sooner, instead of letting Dad be kept waiting in jail for days. You owe him an apology, and let's call it even."The wedding went on without a hitch, and when it came time for the vows, I handed over a thick, oversized gift to my mom."Mom, this is for the happy couple. Quick, give it to them to open!"Mom gave it a feel, and her face lit up with a knowing smile. "I get it, it's the deed to the house, right? At least you've got a shred of decency in you!"She hurried the gift over to them. "This is the extra dowry from our side of the family. Come on, everyone, take a look!"My brother and his bride were all smiles as they opened the envelope, but then Suzy let out a piercing scream.Everyone rushed over to see what was going on.All I saw was my brother's hand coming down hard across Suzy's face. "Suzy, what the hell is this? What is this?!"When the big reveal came, it was not a house de

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