Chapter 5
I was tossing and turning, barely drifting off, when I heard the soft click of the doorknob. []
I shut my eyes.]
“Amy…” Aunt Karen whispered my name twice, testing if I was awake.[]
When I didn’t move, she let out a long sigh of relief.[]
I heard her rustling around, going through all my clothes.]
Even pulled the insoles out of my sneakers.[]
Good thing I’d moved the lottery ticket somewhere else earlier.]]
Hearing her dig through my stuff without trying to hurt me this time, I actually drifted back to sleep.[]
In my dream, I finally learned why Aunt Karen was acting so weird.[]
After I died, my oldest sister waited for me at the bus station for hours. []
When she couldn’t reach me, she called the cops.[]
That night, after Mom dumped my body out in the middle of nowhere, both she and Uncle Jake–and Aunt Karen–were arrested.
Before they left, Mom was crying and screaming, blaming Aunt Karen for everything.[]
In the heat of the fight, Mom accidentally stabbed her with a kitchen knife.]]
Blood poured from Aunt Karen’s chest, her eyes wide open even in death.[]
The new house… so close to moving in. And that $750,000 windfall…]
So this time around, she changed her strategy–planned to gaslight me into handing over the winning ticket.[]
What she didn’t know was… I’d come back too.[]
The next morning, I put on my faded, worn–out clothes and headed out to apply for jobs.[]
Aunt Karen kept staring at me, searching for something in my face, but found nothing.[]
“Amy, don’t worry. No matter what happens, we’re family,” she said warmly, straightening my jacket–and sliding her hand into my pocket. []
“Your Uncle Jake ain’t got much education, only knows how to sell out his own kid.“[]
“We’re not listening to him. You just work hard.“[]
Chapter 5
“Once we get our lives together, nothing’s gonna matter more.“[]
When she didn’t feel anything in my pocket, a flicker of disappointment crossed her face.
“You know Aunt Karen loves you the most. If you ever need help, you come to me.”
I nodded with feigned confusion.[]
If I hadn’t died once, I might’ve fallen for her act.[]
Growing up without much love, this performance was almost convincing.
“Mom! Give me a hundred and fifty bucks!” Liam yelled, backpack on, ready to head out. [
“I gotta buy that new game skin!“[]
Aunt Karen’s face flushed. []
“You little punk, what did you just say?!“]
I quickly stepped in. [
“Liam, it’s fine. I made about a hundred twenty last night tutoring–here.” []
I pulled the bills from my bag and handed them all to him.
“You’re still a kid. Go ahead and get it.“]]
Watching Liam beam with satisfaction made me smile.
Aunt Karen gave me a strange look but said nothing. []
She walked him to school, and we split ways.]
I spent the whole morning bouncing between buses until I finally found my sister at lunchtime.[]
“Amy, here,” she said, sliding the lottery ticket across the table. []
She was only two years older than me, but looked at least ten years older.[]
“Sis, I need your help,” I said, gripping her cracked hands.
“You’re divorced now, single with two kids. You go cash it in.“]
I glanced around, my voice dropping.
“No one knows you’re divorced, and Mom doesn’t give a damn about us.“[]
“Quit those crappy piecework jobs.“[]
“Use the money to buy a house–make sure it’s in a good school district.“]]
me foolt Crust You Love No bun?
36.4%
”
Chapter 3
Her eyes went wide in disbelief. []
A few seconds later, she dropped her head onto the table and sobbed.[]
