Chapter 4
“So. Amy,” Aunt Karen asked sweetly, but with something darker in her eyes, “you’re starting your internship soon, right? Where you planning to live?“]]
I shoveled some rice into my mouth. []
“Me and three others are splitting a basement unit.”
“Two floors underground. Only five hundred bucks a month each.“]
“I’ll be at work all day anyway–sunlight’s overrated.”
Mom glanced at me but said nothing.
I watched Liam inhale his food and felt my eyes sting.[]
I’d never had my own room–shared a storage closet with my sister my whole life.[]
But the second Liam threw a tantrum about wanting to live here, Mom cleared out the master bedroom for him without a word.]
The master. Big bay window, a balcony, everything I’d ever dreamed of. I used to imagine sitting there at night, reading under the moonlight.]
Now it was full of his dirty socks and sweaty clothes.]
Me? I got the attic crammed with boxes of seasonal junk–no sunlight, no space, no peace.[]
One day, I’d get out. And I’d buy a place of my own.]–
“Amy hasn’t been around much lately,” Uncle Jake said, face flushed from whiskey.
“I told you she’s a damn ingrate.“[]
“Doesn’t even bring her old uncle a bottle once in a while.“[]
“She’s just like water you pour out once she’s married off.“[]
Mom sighed. “She’s gonna get married someday anyway..“[]
“No worries, sis,” Aunt Karen said, her wrinkles folding together like origami. []
“You’ve still got Liam. He’ll always be family.“]
“Once we’ve got the cash, we can all move into a big new place together.“[]
“I’m thinking that new development over by Lincoln Heights–great school district.“[]
“We sell this dump, add a little more, and we’re set.“[]
Chapter 4
Lincoln Heights….
That was the exact neighborhood Aunt Karen put a deposit on after my lottery win last time.[]
Wait.
Could she… have come back too?[]
I tested the waters. []
“Those houses are expensive. Where would we get that kind of money?“[]
Uncle Jake grinned with his mouth full. [
“Sell you off. Dowry alone could cover it.“]
Aunt Karen slapped his arm. []
“Don’t be stupid. Amy’s in college–she’s got a future.“]]
She smiled at me, eyes glittering with something cold.
“You’re a smart girl. Smarter than us.“]
“Who knows–maybe one day you’ll come home with a big pile of cash and buy us that house yourself.“[]
My hand almost slipped off my chopsticks.]
She has come back.]
And sure enough-
That night, she crept into my room.[]
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