Left Without a Share, Her Daughter Lost Her Mind novel
The next day, just as dawn broke, I set out with my bank card in hand and a basket of freshly picked vegetables from our garden.
Knowing Sarah loves these homegrown vegetables, and having missed her for so long, my heart was full of anticipation.
After more than two hours on the road, I finally arrived at Sarahs home.
I had just set the vegetable basket in the entryway when Mrs. Adams stood up from the sofa, glancing at me with clear disdain.
Oh dear, what did you bring? Look at this basket, its getting mud all over the floor! We just cleaned everything, and now its dirty again!
I hurried to wipe it, but David frowned and said.
Mom, with respect, arent vegetables from gardens usually fertilized with manure? Theyre filthy! How can we keep them here? Henry is still smallwho would take responsibility if he gets sick?
I froze, turning to Sarah, but she avoided my gaze.
Yes, Mom, please dont bring these things next time. Nobody here likes eating them.
Those words felt like a bucket of ice-cold water poured over me.
My heart went numb. Without saying anything, I silently gathered the things I brought, turned around, and stepped out of her home.
The cold winter wind made me shiver, extinguishing all thoughts of using demolition money to support Sarah.
On the day the demolition compensation arrived in my account, I called Michael and Emily over.
Out of this $800,000, I plan to give you two $200,000, keep $200,000 for Robert and me for retirement, and give the remaining amount to your sister.
She married far away, so as her mother, I should still look after her.
As soon as I finished speaking, Michael smiled and nodded.
Mom, youre right. Its comforting to know our sister will have something to rely on.
Emily added, Giving money to our sister makes perfect sense; we fully agree.
Seeing their response, I felt truly happy.
Back then, we were struggling. When Emily married into the family, we didnt give her a proper dowry, not even a single valuable piece of jewelry. Yet she never complained and lived simply with Michael.
Looking at the balance in my bank account, I quietly decided that after visiting Sarah, I would withdraw another 200,000 dollars for Emily. It would be a small sign of appreciation from me, something she could use to buy jewelry or anything she liked.
After making up my mind, I began thinking about what to bring for Sarah.
After a long moment of consideration, I concluded that vegetables from our own garden would be the best gift.
Sarah had loved my vegetables since childhood, and besides, I personally took care of the garden without pesticides or chemical fertilizersthey were much healthier than anything in supermarkets.
With that thought, I went into the garden and began picking vegetables. The frost these past days made them taste even better.
I collected several different kinds of vegetables until my bamboo basket was full.
After finishing with the vegetables, I remembered Sarah often said how delicious countryside poultry was, so I went to the coop. I caught two geese and two chickens, tied them with a straw rope, and placed them beside the basket.
Once everything was prepared, I finally took out my phone to call Sarah. When she heard I was coming, she immediately said she had the next day off and would wait for me at the station.
The following morning, Michael and Emily carried my bags to the station and saw me off. Emily even slipped a hand warmer into my palm.
Mom, its cold outside. This will keep your hands warm.
Please let me know once you arrive safely.
I nodded and boarded the train. Two hours later, I finally arrived in New York City.
As soon as I walked out of the station, a light rain started falling. A cold wind, mixed with raindrops, slipped into my collar, making me instinctively hunch my shoulders.
I gripped the hand warmer, eyes fixed on the exit, afraid I might miss Sarah.
Half an hour passed after our agreed time, yet she still hadnt shown up.
Another half hour went by, and the rain grew heavier. My pants and shoes were soaked, and the hand warmer had almost gone cold. Anxiously, I pulled out my phone and dialed Sarah again and again.
She finally picked up on the twelfth call.
Mom, Im really sorry, something urgent happened at home, and I cant leave to pick you up. Her voice sounded hurried, and I could faintly hear laughter and chatting behind her.
I was just about to tell her that I had too many things and taking a taxi would be difficult.
Then Sarah said, There are plenty of taxis at the station. Just take one yourself, Ill send you the address on Instagram. Before I could say anything else, the call ended.
I stared at the dark screen, then at the things I brought, and finally let out a long sigh.
What if Sarah truly had something urgent?
Thinking that, I braced myself, managed to hail a taxi, and squeezed myself and all my things inside.
After all that effort, I finally reached Sarahs place with my bags. But the moment I arrived, I heard bursts of laughter and cheerful voices from inside.
I pushed the door open and saw Mrs. Adams on the sofa, eating sunflower seeds, David leaning against her scrolling on his phone, and Sarah playing with Henry, who was laughing so hard he was rolling on the floor. Nothing about the scene looked urgent.
When Sarah saw me come in, she quickly stood up, rubbing her hands as she explained,
Mom! Youre here! Henry kept begging me to play with him all day, and I really couldnt pull away, so I wasnt able to pick you up.
I looked at her, then at Mrs. Adams and David lounging comfortably in the room, and I couldnt help feeling disappointed.
There were so many people in the house; even if Henry was clingy, couldnt they have asked Mrs. Adams or David to pick me up?
The words reached my lips, but I held them back.
Just then, the goose I brought suddenly flapped its wings, tipping the bamboo basket over, sending vegetables rolling everywhere and feathers drifting all over the floor.
The laughter stopped instantly.
David shot to his feet. He glanced at the mess near my feet, and his expression darkened at once.
Mom, what exactly are you doing?
We just had this floor waxed, it cost thousands! Look at this stuff you dragged in, making such a mess. Can you even cover the cleaning and maintenance costs?
He bent down and nudged the vegetables on the floor, his brows knitted, stepping back in disgust.
And these wilted vegetables you brought, grown with manureare they even safe to eat? What if Henry gets bacteria from them? He only eats imported organic produce; he cant touch things with such questionable origins!
Seeing the stains on the floor, I felt a wave of guilt, but I still hoped Sarah would speak up for me.
But Sarah avoided my eyes and went to her husband, gently saying, Mom, dont get upset. Its really easy for us in the city. We can buy anything we need just downstairs. You dont have to go through so much trouble bringing things from the countryside next time. Its tiring, and nobody at home really eats them anyway, so they just end up being thrown out. Seeing her expression, my heart sank, yet I still explained,
I deliberately didnt kill this goose first, just in case it wasnt fresh enough. I thought I would slaughter it right away for you to eat immediately, so you could enjoy the freshest taste.
And these vegetables, theyre not dirty at alltheyre all homegrown and very fresh. Halfway through my explanation, I noticed the feathers scattered across the floor and went to the kitchen to look for a rag to clean things up.
Mrs. Adams, which rag is used for wiping the floor? Ill clean this right now.
I smiled and asked Mrs. Adams and David twice, yet both acted as if they hadnt heard me. David stared out the window, while Mrs. Adams kept cracking sunflower seeds without even looking up.
I took a rag from the shelf by the kitchen door and was about to crouch down to wipe the floor when Mrs. Adams suddenly yelled, Hey! and hurried over, snatching the rag from my hand.
This isnt for wiping the floor, its for wiping the table! How could you use this for that?
She turned around, took another rag from the bathroom, and tossed it to the floor near me.
Use this one.
I stood there for a second, the rag at my feet, feeling awkward but still determined to clean up the mess.
I picked it up just as the memory of earlier flashed through my mindthe phone call with Sarah, her voice rushed, laughter faintly drifting behind her words.
I had wanted to tell her that I was carrying too many things, that taking a taxi would be difficult.
But she simply said, There are taxis everywhere at the station. Just take one yourself, Ill send you the address on Instagram. And before I could say another word, the call had already ended.
I stared at my dim phone screen, then at all the things I had brought for her, and finally sighed.
What if Sarah really had an urgent issue at home?
Thinking that, I forced myself to flag down a taxi, loaded all my things inside, and tried to ignore the cold wind soaking my clothes.
By the time I finally reached Sarahs doorstep, tired and carrying bag after bag, I hadnt expected to hear loud laughter and cheerful voices echoing from inside the house.
I opened the door and saw David, leaning back scrolling on his phone, and Sarah playing happily with little Henry, who was laughing so hard, he rolled across the floor. Nothing in sight looked urgent at all.
When Sarah noticed me entering, she quickly stood up, rubbing her hands awkwardly as she explained,
Mom! Youre here! Henry kept begging me to play with him the whole day, and I just couldnt pull myself away, so I couldnt come pick you up.
I looked at her, then at Mrs. Adams and David relaxing comfortably in the room, and disappointment quietly settled in my chest.
There were so many adults at home. Even if Henry was clingy, would it really have been so hard for David to pick me up?
The words hovered on my lips, but I forced myself to swallow them.
Just then, the goose I brought suddenly flapped its wings, tipping the bamboo basket over and scattering vegetables all over the floor, feathers drifting through the air.
The laughter in the room stopped immediately.
David sprang to his feet, glanced sharply at the mess in front of me, and his face clouded over.
Mom, what are you doing?
We just had this floor waxedspent thousands on it! And look at this junk you dragged in, messing up everything. Can you even cover the cleaning and maintenance costs?
He bent down and nudged the vegetables with his foot, frowning deeper as he stepped back in disgust.
And these wilted vegetables you brought, grown with manureare they even safe? What if they transmit bacteria to Henry? He only eats imported organic produce; he cant eat things from who knows where!
Seeing the stains spreading across the floor, guilt washed over me, yet I still hoped Sarah would defend me somehow.
But she avoided my eyes and moved to stand beside her husband, gently saying, Mom, dont be upset. Life in the city is very convenient. We can get anything we need just downstairs. Really, you dont need to trouble yourself bringing things from the countryside anymore. Its tiring for you, and honestly, no one at home really eats them, so they just end up being thrown away.
Seeing Sarahs expression, a sharp sadness rose in my chest, but I still explained, I didnt kill the goose beforehand in case it wasnt fresh enough. I planned to slaughter it right here so you could taste the freshest flavor.
And these vegetables arent dirty at all; theyre all homegrown and perfectly fresh.
Halfway through my words, I noticed the feathers scattered on the floor and went to the kitchen to find a rag to clean them up.
Mrs. Adams, which rag is for the floor? Ill wipe this up.
I smiled and asked Mrs. Adams and David twice, yet they ignored me completely. David stared out the window, and Mrs. Adams kept eating sunflower seeds.
I reached for a rag on the shelf by the kitchen door and was about to crouch down to wipe the floor when Mrs. Adams suddenly shouted, Hey! rushing over to snatch the rag from my hand.
This isnt for wiping the floor, its for wiping the table! How could you use this like that?
As she scolded me, she turned and grabbed another rag from the bathroom, tossing it to the floor by my feet.
Use this one.
I looked blankly at Sarah; the impatience and protectiveness in her eyes chilled me more than any insult from David.
Seeing me speechless, her eyes shifted to the tied chicken and goose at my feet, her tone softening slightly.
If you want to take the vegetables back, go ahead. We dont need them. Keep the chicken and goose; country poultry tastes good. Ill make soup for Henry tomorrow to help him recover.
As she spoke, she reached out to take the straw rope from my hand.
I instinctively stepped back, avoiding her hand.
Since you dont want these vegetables, fine, dont take any. Ill bring all of them back. David sneered even deeper.
Sure, take everything. Theyre just a few scruffy chickens and geese. Who even needs that cheap stuff?
Sarah frowned, her voice sinking.
Mom, why are you being so stubborn? Is it worth making a fuss over something this small? Henry is still sleeping inside. Cant you just cut me some slack?
Her words shattered the last bit of hope I had in her.
I stayed silent, unwilling to argue anymore. I gathered my things, turned around, and walked toward the door.
When I reached the bottom of the building, I took out my phone. My fingers were numb from the cold, and it took several tries to dial Michaels number.
I barely managed to say Hello before my throat tightened, making me unable to continue.
Michael immediately sounded alarmed. Mom, are they treating you badly? Dont move. Emily and I are coming to get you now. After hanging up, I sat on the stone bench near the entrance of the residential area, holding my bamboo basket. The cold wind lashed at me, making me shiver nonstop.
I thought I would have to wait two long hours for Michael in the freezing wind, but unexpectedly, only fifty minutes later, I saw his car rushing toward me.
Before it even fully stopped, Emily jumped out and hurried to my side, pushing a thermos into my hands.
Mom, drink some hot water first. We were worried youd be freezing, so we drove faster. Dont worry, we didnt break any rules.
Michael took the thermos from me without speaking, frowning as he asked.
Mom, werent these things prepared for my sister? Why did you bring everything back untouched?
My hand holding the thermos trembled slightly, and my voice cracked as I answered.
They didnt want them.
Michaels expression darkened instantly, and Emily gently helped me into the car, softly comforting me.
Mom, its alright. Just tell us slowly.
Sitting in the warm car, seeing their worried eyes, the emotions Id been holding back all day finally collapsed.
I told them everything that had happened earlier.
After hearing me out, Michael slammed his hand on the steering wheel, his voice shaking with anger.
Theyve gone too far!
Mom, you braved the rain to go there, brought them so many good things, and instead of treating you kindly, they let you suffer like that! Is that how people act? Emily, sitting in the passenger seat with her chest rising and falling in anger, grabbed her phone and dialed Sarahs number.
The phone rang for half a minute, yet no one answered.
Gritting her teeth, Emily dialed againtwice, three timesuntil the twelfth call finally connected, and Sarahs lazy voice drifted through.
Sister-in-law, why are you calling so late? I just put Henry to sleep.
Emilys tone shot up, every word burning with anger.
Mom battled heavy rain to bring you so many nice things, drove for hours to visit, and you wouldnt even give her a sip of hot water. You complained that what she brought was dirty and didnt even bother to arrange a place for her to stay.
Sarahs voice held a hint of grievance. Sister-in-law, you dont understand my situation. Mrs. Adams already dislikes my mom. We live in the countryside. Mom brought vegetables and poultry and messed up the whole place. Mrs. Adamss face turned dark. What was I supposed to do?
Besides, Mom lives well in the countryside. Her sudden visit just makes things harder for me! Emily let out a breathless laugh, her voice shooting up two octaves.
Making things harder?
Do you even know what Mom brought? It was $200,000 from the demolition payout for you. She wanted you to have something to rely on, but you treated your own mother like a burden! The line fell silent instantlyso quiet I could hear the static.
After three long seconds, Sarahs voice burst out, full of shock.
$200,000? Sister-in-lawWhat did you say? Mom really brought me $200,000 of demolition money?
Relocation money?
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