All Chapters of Ninety-Nine Favor Coupons—Then I Was Gone: Chapter 1 - Chapter 9

I should've realized a long time ago that my parents didn't love me.After all, my name was Livia Colton, while my sister was Gemma Colton—the precious jewel of the family.I rubbed my tired eyes and glanced down at my phone. Messages were pouring into our family group chat.As I scrolled up, I accidentally tapped on a cash gift. It wasn't much—twenty dollars. My mother, Brianna Colton, had just sent it with a note: [For Gemma to get a milkshake.]My fingers froze.I instinctively tried to send the money back, but there was no way to undo it. The transaction was already sitting there in the group chat for everyone to see.A second later, Gemma sent a voice message, her sarcasm impossible to miss."Seriously, Livia? You're taking my milkshake money now? Mom sent that specifically for me. You sure were quick to grab it."Mom immediately chimed in: [Livia, send the twenty dollars back to Gemma. Her right ear has been bothering her lately, and she just wants something sweet to chee

Gemma threw a tantrum right in front of Mom and Dad, kicking her feet against the floor as tears instantly filled her eyes."I want the newest tablet! Everyone in my class got one for graduation except me. I can't even play games properly without one!"She pulled favor coupon number ninety-eight from the pink cardholder she carried and slapped it down on the wooden dining table. Then she shot me a smug look, as though what she was about to demand was the most reasonable thing in the world."Mom, I'm using this favor coupon. Give me Livia's grant so I can use the money to buy a tablet!"Mom took the coupon as naturally as she always did. After glancing at me, she said, "Livia, tell your teacher Gemma needs the grant more. Give us the application paperwork so we can transfer it to her."Dad put down his phone and chimed in as if there were nothing wrong with any of this, "What's the big deal about letting Gemma have something she wants for once? Don't forget, you're the reason she c

Mom and Dad asked everyone they could think of where I'd gone, but no one had any answers.Gemma enrolled at a private college, but she didn't change her ways. She constantly skipped class, blew through money, and found herself in one mess after another.After starting at Brighton University, I managed to support myself with a generous freshman scholarship and part-time jobs. For the first time, I didn't have to swallow my pride and beg my family for money.The supportive atmosphere on campus and the kindness of my roommates also showed me what it felt like to be treated well. My life became peaceful and stable, and I almost forgot the years I'd spent being pushed aside.But one of my friends from high school kept me updated on Gemma.Apparently, Gemma barely attended class and spent most of her time hanging around with people who weren't even students. Less than a year after starting college, she got knocked up.The father of the child wanted nothing to do with it and disappeare

Dad arrived at Brighton University with a debit card holding everything he and Mom had managed to save. He waited outside the campus gates from early morning until sunset, watching students come and go.Then he spotted Livia. She was thinner than he remembered, but there was a quiet confidence about her now.He hurried toward her, his voice choking with emotion."Livia, I know I was wrong. We put you through so much all these years. Everything we've managed to save is on this card. It's not enough to make up for what we did, but please take it. Come home with us, okay?"Livia simply stepped aside. Her expression was calm. There was no hatred in her eyes, but there was no warmth either.When she spoke, her voice was as cool and restrained as it had been over the phone, "I already considered those ninety-nine favor coupons repayment for the eighteen years you raised me. I've let go of the past, but I can't forgive you. Please stop wasting your time trying to find me."With that, sh

Mom developed a new habit.Every evening at sunset, she sat on the steps outside their apartment and copied all ninety-nine entries from my journal into a brand-new notebook, carefully writing out every hurt I'd endured, one by one.She imagined that if she ever had the chance to see me again, she would give me the notebook herself and tell me she remembered every single thing she'd done.That she regretted it every day.But deep down, she knew she was only comforting herself.I wasn't coming back.One day, while Dad was away for work, he passed a bookstore and spotted a set of SAT prep books in the window. He immediately remembered all those nights I'd stayed up late studying and bought the entire set.He brought the books back to the apartment and carefully put them away.There was no one in that home who needed them anymore. Still, he stubbornly kept them, as though buying those books now could somehow make up for never giving me a stable place to study when I'd actually nee