All Chapters of All Before the New Year: Chapter 1 - Chapter 8

8 Chapters

Chapter 1

It was New Year's Eve, and it was also my birthday. My mom called me first thing in the morning."Sheila, it's your special day! Why don't you pick up a cake and come over? We'll have a big dinner and celebrate," she said cheerfully.Lilian, my sister-in-law, shouted from the background, "Make sure it's a fancy one with lots of cream. Andrew and Nelson love that!"Mom quickly agreed, "That's right, Sheila. Did you hear Lilian? Get a nice one and don't be late. We will be waiting."With that, she hung up.I looked at the phone. The call lasted less than a minute. I felt a bit stunned but eventually grabbed my coat and headed out.When I got there with the cake, my brother Patrick Chapman opened the door. He wrinkled his nose at the cake. "Is that all you brought? You should've brought something nicer for New Year's Eve dinner," he said.I did not want to argue. It was hard enough to get that cake since I was too unprepared.Lilian added, "Yeah, think of others for once, especial

Chapter 2

Outside, the wind was so biting it felt like it could cut right through my skin. I pulled my coat tighter and walked step by step toward my home.The house was not far from where I lived.Not long after my brother Patrick got married, Mom came to me with tears in her eyes. She told me Patrick's wife did not like her and did not want to live with her.I knew all about Patrick. He did not have a job and was always lounging around. He and his wife rented a small place in a part of town with lots of old buildings and cheap rent. They lived off Mom's retirement money.Hearing Mom cry made me really sad, so I offered her a deal."How about you move in with me? I'll give you some money every month to help out, and maybe you can cook for me now and then."I had even picked out a room for her when I bought my house.However, Patrick had made a fuss back then. He said I just wanted Mom's money and would not let her move in with me. I did not think much of it at the time, but with everythi

Chapter 3

There was silence on the other end of the line for a moment before Mom spoke again. "You're not giving it to me? Sheila, what do you mean?"Her voice was full of shock, as if last night had never happened.In her eyes, everything was still calm and peaceful.When I did not answer, Mom's voice grew impatient. "Just because of what happened last night? You're not a child anymore. Are you really getting upset over something so small? And it's partly your fault too. Patrick is your brother, and we're all family. Why can't you let go of such a little thing?"I could not help but laugh. See? They ignored how I felt, like my pain and humiliation meant nothing. Then, they would lecture me from their high horse, acting like I was the one who did something terribly wrong.This was not the first time. It had happened over and over before.I spoke up, my voice soft, "So, what now?"Mom seemed taken aback for a second, then she snapped, "Alright, Sheila. You think you've grown up now and you

Chapter 4

Patrick charged at me, yelling at the top of his lungs, "How dare you try to sell my house! I'll teach you a lesson, you meanie!"He lifted his hand, ready to slap me once more. However, this time, someone strong grabbed hold of him. The big guy next to me glared, giving Patrick a fierce look. "Thinking of hitting someone?"Patrick squirmed and struggled, but he could not get free. His face turned bright red with anger. He had always been a bully, but only when he thought he could win. He did not dare say anything to the big guy, so he turned to me and bellowed, "Sheila, tell them to let me go! You've gone too far, bringing people here to sell my house!"I just looked at him, calm as could be."Your house? Did you put any money into buying it, or is it your name on the title deed?"Patrick shook with rage at my words. "I've lived here for five years. If it's not my house, whose is it? Get them out of here, now! You think you can take what's mine? You must be looking for trouble! L

Chapter 5

The buyer's eyes sparkled, and she nodded quickly. "Great. I've got the money ready. I'll transfer it as soon as we sign."The real estate agent could not stop smiling. "I've got the contracts ready. Both of you, please take a close look."He pulled out the contracts, handed one to each of us, and even provided pens. "Just sign your names and the deal's done. The house will be Ms. Rogers'."Seeing that, Patrick's eyes bulged, and he started to thrash like he had lost his mind."No, you can't sell the house! Sheila, if you sign that contract, I'll never forgive you as long as I live!" Lilian charged at me, wildly waving her fists. Her face contorted with anger as she tried to grab the contract from my hands. "Where will we live if you sell the house? Sheila, we're your family, you can't do this to us! If you sell the house, what will you do about our family's future?"However, she could not get near me as a strong man stepped in her way. I did not even look at her. My eyes were f

Chapter 6

The real estate agent and the new homeowner shared big, happy grins. After checking their phone for a moment, the buyer looked up and said, "Ms. Chapman, I've transferred the full payment for the house. It's been a pleasure doing business with you."I glanced at the sale papers and the message on my phone confirming the payment. It felt like a huge weight had been lifted off my shoulders, and I was finally free.I did not even glance at Patrick and my mom, who had gone silent and looked really upset. I turned to the new owner and began, "Now that the house is yours, about these people..."I did not get to finish because the agent jumped in, thumping his chest and promising, "I've got this. No need for you ladies to deal with it. I'm an expert at handling these situations!"I just nodded.If someone else wanted to take care of the problem, I was not going to argue.The buyer gave a small smile and said to Patrick and the others, not really bothered. "I was going to give you a few

Chapter 7

It was Patrick and Lilian.Peeking through the peephole, I saw them standing at the door, looking really mad and trying to see inside.Patrick looked super grumpy, and when he checked out the place, he seemed even more upset."She's got us in a mess, but she's living it up in a nice house. I've been way too nice to her!"He was about to knock when Lilian stopped him, looking like she had a plan."Hold on. You're her brother, and your mom's on our side. We don't need to fight with her. She doesn't have a partner, and she probably won't have kids. So, when she's old, all her money and the house will go to us, and Andrew, and Nelson, right?"If we just talk to her nicely, she'll calm down. Plus, even though she sold one house, we still have another, right? It's huge, and it would be perfect for us to live in, right?"Patrick stopped and rubbed his chin, which was all scratchy with stubble. "You've got a point. No matter what she does, she's still got to listen to the family. I'm he

Chapter 8

They probably had not expected me to dismiss them so completely. They tore away their fake, laughable masks. They stood there, shocked into silence.I went on, "And about your 'great' sons, there are plenty of people they need to take care of when they grow up. If they end up as worthless as you, they'll probably end up carrying you to your graves."I spoke each word slowly and with purpose, my face twisting into a sneer. The people in front of me were so mad that they could hardly see straight.Patrick's face was a mask of rage as he swung a punch at me."You dare talk to me like that? You're asking for it!" he shouted.I dodged quickly, and Patrick's fist hit the door instead, making him wince in pain. He tried to push through the door, but it was stuck shut with a safety latch."Come on, open up!" he bellowed.Seeing Patrick like that, Mom became visibly upset. She shot me a fierce look."Sheila, what are you trying to do?" she demanded. "Your brother has always been good to

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