Chapter 11

Mom nodded hurriedly. "I know. I'll give it all back. I promise."I looked at Troy, who had been keeping his head down and his mouth shut the entire time. "Troy, you're 22 years old. You're not a kid anymore. You graduated from trade school, and you're healthy. There's nothing stopping you. You need to get out there, find a job, and start supporting yourself."Troy pressed his lips together, his face full of reluctance, but he didn't dare argue.I turned back to Mom. "Mom, I'll send you 1,000 dollars a month, and not a cent more."You're healthy and perfectly capable of working, so you can earn your own living. From now on, don't show up uninvited in my life. Don't come to my city, don't come to where I live, and don't cause a scene."Mom opened her mouth, wanting to protest, but she didn't have the nerve. She swallowed it down and gave a stiff nod. "Fine.""One more thing." My gaze was steady, and my tone left nothing open for debate."From this point forward, I'm done involvin

Chapter 12

Mom rushed to the window with red-rimmed eyes, shoved open the old glass pane, and leaned her body halfway out. Cold air poured into the room, sending the curtains whipping wildly."So this is how it is? You're really going to push me this far?" Her voice was hoarse, teetering on the edge of hysteria."I spent my whole life raising you, and this is what I get. Hounded over pocket change! You won't budge an inch, and you'd rather drive this whole family into the ground? If you're going to be this heartless, then what's the point of me being alive?"Troy, still slumped on the couch playing his game, barely glanced up before looking back down at his screen. He was completely indifferent, as if the woman losing her mind by the window wasn't his own mother.I watched her theatrical display of desperation, and the very last trace of softness inside me vanished.I didn't panic or rush over. I just stood where I was and watched her, perfectly still.Neighbors heard the commotion and came

Chapter 13

The climate in the south was warm year-round, the streets lined with lush greenery and flowers tucked into every corner. The evening breeze was gentle and soothing, and even the air carried the fresh scent of grass and trees.I rented a small studio apartment with beautiful natural light. It wasn't big, but it was clean and cozy, simply furnished, and every inch of it was mine. I added a soft rug and a few houseplants and turned the little space into my own personal sanctuary.I polished up my résumé and started applying, and between my solid skills and my work experience, I landed a position at a new company without much trouble.My new coworkers were warm and easygoing. Nobody pried into my past or made assumptions about me. The pace was manageable, and I never had to pull another endless overtime shift.In my free time, I'd take evening walks and explore the local food scene. I bought myself nice clothes and pretty jewelry, tried all the meals I'd never let myself afford before,

All Chapters of Mom Took Me to Court for $60: Chapter 11 - Chapter 13

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13