All Chapters of Her Ticket to Prison: Chapter 1 - Chapter 9

After I agreed, Aunt Brenda swaggered away with Kayla.My father looked guilty and eager to please. "Mason, don't stay angry with your aunt. She's running a big company now and always busy. When family needs help, we should do what we can."My mother couldn't take another word. She pointed at him and shouted, "Mason prepared for this exam for an entire year. Didn't you ever notice him studying until two or three in the morning?"The registration fee alone was more than four hundred dollars, and he earned it by delivering food after class."Now your wonderful cousin erased all that work with a few taps. Why didn't you make her reimburse him?"Dad sat on the couch with his head lowered, sighing repeatedly.Faced with Mom's shouting, he frowned and struggled for a long time before muttering, "It's only an exam. He can take it next year. If relatives destroy their relationship over one disagreement, how are we supposed to face each other later?""Face each other? To hell with that."

Once we boarded, Kayla became restless again.A middle-aged woman in professional clothes sat directly in front of us. I caught a glimpse of the documents on her tray table.I had a fair guess about what she did for a living.Kayla began kicking the back of the woman's seat. The repeated thuds sounded painfully loud inside the quiet cabin.The woman endured it without turning around.When Kayla received no reaction, she grew bored. She stood, leaned over the seat, and poured half a cup of juice down the woman's collar."Ah!"The woman cried out and jumped up.Sticky liquid ran down her blouse and soaked several documents on the tray.A flight attendant hurried over with towels. "Ms. Whitlock, I'm so sorry—"Ms. Whitlock's face was dark with fury. "Whose child is this? Who is responsible for her?"Instead of feeling afraid, Kayla stood on the seat with both hands on her hips. "You look like a drowned rat. Serves you right."I pulled off my headphones and put on my most helpl

After returning from Bellhaven, I was in a fantastic mood, and I slept better than I had in months.Early the next morning, pounding on the door woke me.The moment it opened, Aunt Brenda stormed inside, waving printed bank statements."Mason! Get out here!"I walked slowly from my room, leaned against the frame, and yawned."Aunt Brenda, what's the act about this early?""The act? You've got the nerve to ask?"She slapped the statements across my face."You spent forty-two thousand dollars in two days. Were you shopping or committing armed robbery?"I asked you to watch your cousin, not treat my account like a wishing well."The commotion frightened my parents, who hurried over and picked up the papers.When Dad saw the total, his hands shook and his face went white. "That much money? Mason, did you really spend this?"I answered calmly. "Aunt Brenda, Kayla requested every purchase. You told me to use the card for anything she wanted and not let her feel deprived.""I fol

The room fell silent.Everyone was stunned by Aunt Brenda's sudden accusation.Even Peter frowned as he studied the empty box.Dad turned white with fear. "Brenda, you can't make an accusation like that. Mason would never steal.""Why not?" Her face twisted. "He charged forty-two thousand dollars to my account. He can steal a watch just as easily."That watch is worth one hundred twenty thousand dollars. A felony conviction could put him in prison for years."Mason, I'm giving you one opportunity. Admit you took it, sign a repayment agreement for the forty-two thousand, and have your father secure the debt against this apartment. Then I won't call the police."Otherwise, enjoy having a criminal record. We'll see how you sit for admissions exams or get a student visa after that."Her shameless threat filled me with rage.This was no longer a family quarrel. She wanted to destroy my future.Mom pointed at her. "Brenda, this is a setup and you know it. Mason would never steal."

Six months later, I stood at Ashford International Airport.Two large suitcases rested beside me at security.In my hand was an admission letter from Kingswell University, one of the top graduate schools overseas.The Northbridge exam had been delayed, but I refused to give up.With a score in the top national percentile and an excellent application, I earned admission and a half-tuition scholarship.My parents stood beyond the security line with red eyes."Take care of yourself. Don't save money by skipping meals," Mom reminded me.Dad pressed a bank card into my hand. It held the emergency savings he had quietly accumulated. "Take it. Travel is expensive. Don't make yourself suffer."I accepted it with a smile and hugged them. "Mom, Dad, don't worry. I'll be fine."Peter later sent me the final news about Aunt Brenda.After convictions on several financial and obstruction-related charges, she received a twelve-year aggregate sentence.Her nonexempt assets were sold to sati