The day I lost my job, I walked ten kilometers home in a torrential storm. When I pushed the door open, I saw my wife, my mother-in-law, and my daughter taking a “family photo” on the couch— with her first love. My daughter threw a cake straight into my face in front of everyone, calling me useless, saying I wasn’t worthy of being her father. They forced me to give up the bedroom, give up my place, and sign the divorce papers. What they didn’t know was— that same day, I had just won two hundred million. “Mom, let Uncle Jason sit next to you, and Grandma and I will make a heart behind you…” As I opened the door, my wife, daughter, and mother-in-law were taking a family photo on the couch with a stranger. They were all huddled together, grinning widely at the camera. When they heard the door, they finally noticed me. Their smiles froze. The atmosphere was tense for a moment. Then, the laughter continued, as if I were invisible. They changed positions and kept taking photos. Not a single person acknowledged me. It wasn’t until they finished taking photos that my mother-in-law gave me a disdainful look and said: “Oh, Ryan, you have legs, you can walk back, can’t you?” “I thought you got laid off and forgot how to walk, and that Sophia had to pick you up.” I was drenched and my hands and feet were numb from the cold. After being laid off today, a storm hit. My wife had promised to pick me up after work, but she never showed up, even late at night. I walked ten kilometers in the rain to get home. Before I entered, I heard their disdain and ridicule behind my back. I just didn’t expect that even after I returned home, they would still ignore me and laugh with another man. A bitter feeling arose in my heart, I opened my mouth to speak. Suddenly a cake was thrown at me! Splat! My face was covered in cream. I looked up. My daughter, Chloe, was hiding behind the man, looking at me with disdain: “Dad is lazy! He doesn’t work hard to earn money for me and mom, such a loser!” “Not even worth Uncle Jason’s toe!” My heart was suddenly pierced with pain. This was the daughter I had loved for ten years. Facing her mother’s first love, Jason, she was full of admiration and joy, but for me, there was only sarcasm and ridicule. At this moment, my silent wife finally spoke, frowning as she scolded our daughter: “Chloe, how can you talk to your dad like that? You’re being too rude!” She acted like she was defending me, even bringing me a towel and gently saying: “Ryan, don’t take the child’s words to heart. Go change your clothes, we can talk later.” As I took the towel, I noticed the undisguised disdain in her eyes. I felt even more desolate inside. Just as I was about to head to my room, Jason suddenly walked over to greet me: “Are you Ryan? I just got back from abroad, Sophia insisted on throwing me a welcome party, I couldn’t refuse, so I came.” “I heard you just lost your job? It’s okay, the current economic climate is tough, I might be able to help you find work.” His friendly demeanor only made me feel more pathetic. Before I could respond, my mother-in-law impatiently pushed me: “What are you standing there for? Hurry up and thank Jason!” “You’re over thirty, and still getting laid off, you’re embarrassing Sophia!” I was almost knocked over by the push. Yet, my beloved wife and daughter seemed oblivious, their attention entirely on the other man. This was clearly my home, yet I felt like an outsider. In the end, I didn’t say anything and went to my room to wash up. When I came back out, they were already seated at the dining table, eating. No one called me over. There wasn’t even a place set for me at the table. Sophia finally stopped eating and glanced at our daughter: “Chloe, go get your dad some dishes.” My daughter rolled her eyes at me, “I’m not going. He doesn’t even have a job to support me, mom, and Grandma anymore, why should I?” “Dad, don’t you have hands? Are you planning to be a useless bum forever?” Such sharp and cutting words, coming from my daughter’s mouth. Inside, I felt nothing but bitterness and self-mockery. Sophia glanced disapprovingly at our daughter, softly saying to me: “Ryan, you’ve spoiled this girl too much. Go get some dishes from the kitchen, come sit next to me. We’ll squeeze in…” Before she finished, my mother-in-law suddenly stood up. I thought she was going to help me get dishes, since she used to do that when I was the one earning for the family. But instead, she took the dog’s bowl and shoved it into my hands. “There are no dishes in the kitchen, wash this and use it.” At that moment, I felt deeply mocked. This was the family I had worked hard to support for ten years… “No need, I’m not eating.” I turned to leave, but Jason spoke up in surprise: “Ryan, you’re not angry, are you?” “I just asked around for you, my company is looking for a janitor, fifteen dollars an hour.” “It’s not very glamorous, but if you do well, there’s a chance to get promoted to supervisor.” I knew very well that he was trying to show off his capabilities to Sophia by belittling me. Just as I said “no need,” my mother-in-law suddenly stood up and slammed the table! She yelled at me: “Someone’s offering you a job and you’re being picky?” “Are you not going to support your wife and child? Planning to live off my daughter’s money, huh?” At that moment, I couldn’t contain my anger anymore. When we first got married, my mother-in-law had a stroke and was paralyzed, Sophia couldn’t work while taking care of her, so I supported the family. After my mother-in-law recovered, Sophia wanted to start her own studio, and I used my hard-earned savings to invest in her. But she never contributed a penny to household expenses. Now Sophia finally spoke, frowning as she reminded me: “Ryan, you’ve lost your job!” “As the breadwinner of this family, you must take responsibility.” “And by the way, Jason just returned to the country, he’ll be staying in your room for now. He’ll pay rent, which will help ease our financial pressure. You can move into the small storage room.” Her words seemed so reasonable, as if refusing was irresponsible. It finally dawned on me. They were taking advantage of my jobless and penniless situation, forcing me to accept Jason’s presence. In that moment, any last attachment I had to this family vanished. Thinking of the two hundred million about to be in my hands, I no longer held back and said coldly: “No need to worry, I’m moving out!”
“No job, out to beg, huh? What a disgrace!” “Don’t stop him, let him get lost!” My mother-in-law couldn’t help but mock me. Sophia looked at me in disappointment, ignoring me, turning her attention to serving our daughter food. My daughter rolled her eyes again, clinging to Jason’s arm, sweetly saying: “Uncle Jason, give mom some veggies, she loves them.” The harmonious scene only highlighted my role as the out-of-place clown. I decisively went back to my room, packed up, and was about to leave with my suitcase. But suddenly, my mother-in-law came over, roughly snatching my suitcase, looking at me like I was a thief. “You can leave, but let me check if you’ve stolen anything from the house!” She started to open my suitcase. I wanted to part on good terms, but I didn’t expect my mother-in-law to go so far! I grabbed my suitcase back, angrily saying: “You have no right!” Seeing this, my mother-in-law was convinced I was guilty of something, and she started cursing at me. The commotion quickly drew Sophia’s attention. After hearing both sides, Sophia frowned and stared at me for a few seconds. She suddenly dragged me into the room, closed the door. She spoke earnestly to me: “Ryan, stop making a fuss, okay?” “I know you’re upset about losing your job, and I understand you don’t want to be a janitor. I’ll ask Jason to arrange a driver position for you, is that okay?” “Now that you don’t have a job, you should at least show your worth at home, right?” Listening to her self-righteous reasoning, I felt utterly disappointed. “The worth you’re talking about is supporting you and your mom when I can make money?” “And when I can’t, just being a servant at home, watching your first love take my place?” Sophia’s face turned ugly. She snapped back angrily, “Ryan, what nonsense are you talking about?” “Which man doesn’t support his wife and kids in this world? Are you the only one suffering? I’m trying to talk to you nicely, but you’re being ungrateful!” “Don’t forget, you’re the one who’s unemployed now!” I didn’t want to argue anymore, I pushed the door to leave. But my daughter suddenly rushed over, slamming a document against me, shouting: “Loser dad, divorce mom now!” “When you’re not able to earn, you just stay home and let life pass by, watching your first love take charge, right?” Sophia looked furious. “Stop talking nonsense, Ryan!” she snapped. “Which man doesn’t support his family? You’re the only one complaining! I’m trying to have a civil conversation, and you don’t even appreciate it!” “Remember, you’re the one who’s out of a job!” I had no interest in arguing further and made my way to the door. Suddenly, my daughter rushed over, thrust a document at me, and shouted: “Dad, just divorce Mom!” “I want Uncle Jason to be my dad!” I looked at the document closely—it was a printed divorce agreement. Sophia had already signed her name in the bottom right corner. My mother-in-law stood by with a pleased expression, saying, “Smart girl! We need to get rid of this freeloader!” Pointing at me, she commanded: “What are you waiting for? Sign it!” “Sophia didn’t even want to bring up divorce out of pity for you. But now, it’s the right time!” Looking at Sophia’s cold demeanor, I hesitated no longer. I grabbed a pen, signed my name, and tossed it onto the floor. “Fine, divorce it is! See you at City Hall at 9 AM tomorrow!”
As I left the house, the rain had already stopped. I pulled out a crumpled lottery ticket from my pocket, revealing a winning amount of 200 million dollars. When I was laid off, I told my family, feeling down, and bought a lottery ticket on a whim. I never expected to hit the jackpot. I was filled with excitement, eager to share the news with Sophia. I even planned to buy a big estate for the family, expand her studio, buy luxury handbags for my mother-in-law, and a limited edition Barbie doll for my daughter… But all those dreams shattered with the recent events. At the hotel, I intended to book a room temporarily, but was informed: “Sorry, sir, your card has been canceled.” My heart sank. All the money I earned over the years went to the family, and this card was given to me by Sophia for living expenses. Before leaving home, I thought I could manage without the savings I had accumulated over the years. But I never thought Sophia would be so heartless. It’s laughable how I used to save every penny for this family, never daring to buy a $10 meal from a fast-food joint! I called my only friend and college buddy, Maya, for help. As soon as she heard I was broke, she immediately transferred six thousand to me. She even ordered food to be delivered to me. It wasn’t until that evening that I finally had a hot meal. The family I loved deeply and gave everything for couldn’t even compare to an ordinary classmate. It’s so ridiculous. The next day at 9 AM sharp, I arrived at City Hall. I immediately spotted Sophia and Jason in matching outfits, holding hands and chatting at the entrance. My mother-in-law had even gotten her hair done, looking joyful. Even my daughter, Chloe, wore a festive red dress with matching hair clips. “At least you came to your senses, not dragging my daughter and granddaughter into a miserable life with you!” “Sophia, hurry and get the paperwork done,” my mother-in-law urged. I didn’t waste words and headed straight into the hall. Sophia looked at me with a complex expression before following inside. In less than half an hour, the divorce certificate was ready. As I was about to leave, Sophia suddenly called out to me, holding out a card with a face full of pity: “Thank you for leaving Chloe’s custody and the house to me.” “There’s twenty thousand in this card. Take care of yourself.” Looking at her fake sympathetic face, I didn’t even want to speak. But I took the card anyway; after all, it was my hard-earned money, and not taking it would be foolish. Then, I went to claim my prize. After taxes, the 200 million was quickly deposited into my account. I immediately arranged to meet Maya for dinner. She was the one who helped me when I was most desperate. Not just last night, but over the years, whenever my mother-in-law was sick or there were major family expenses, Sophia would never lower her pride to borrow money. I had to repeatedly ask Maya for help to get through those tough times. So now that I’ve turned the tables, I must repay her. I arranged to meet her at a mall and headed straight for the luxury stores to pick out a gift for her. Maya was worried I was acting out of impulse and kept trying to pull me away, saying: “Ryan, it’s too expensive here. Let’s go.” Stubbornly, I continued picking out clothes and bags for her. Just then, Sophia entered the store with my mother-in-law, daughter, and Jason. Seeing me, Sophia’s smiling face instantly fell. “Ryan, are you stalking me?”
“Ryan, as a man, can’t you have some dignity? Now you’re pestering?” My mother-in-law couldn’t hold back and pointed at me, yelling. I replied calmly: “You think too highly of yourselves. I’m picking out a gift for my friend, why would I need to stalk you?” Maya stood awkwardly, holding a bag, unsure of what to say. Jason suddenly burst out laughing: “Picking out a gift? Ryan, it seems you’ve never been to a luxury store. Do you even know how much that bag costs? At least a hundred grand!” “Even I had to think twice before buying this bag, but you?” He shook his head with amusement. Sophia looked at me with disappointment, saying: “Ryan, all you have is the twenty thousand I gave you.” “Are you really going to throw away your future just for pride?” “If you find yourself with nowhere to turn, begging me won’t help!” I almost laughed out loud. I’m making over ten grand a day just in interest, matching her monthly salary. Why would I need to beg her? “Who said Ryan can’t afford it? It’s just a hundred grand. We’ll buy it!” Maya mustered the courage to speak up. While talking, she quietly slipped a card into my hand, hinting for me to use it. I knew that was all of Maya’s savings over the years. At that moment, to support me, she was willing to take it out, filling my heart with warmth. I’ve always known how she felt about me. But back then, I was in love with Sophia, so I never responded to her feelings. Now, I truly felt like I had been blind all these years. To have fallen for a woman like Sophia. I gave Maya a gentle smile, “It’s okay, I have money.” Saying that, I handed the card to the clerk. “Charge it.” As the clerk processed the card, my mother-in-law burst out laughing, amused by the situation. Sophia frowned, looking at me with disappointment. Jason, holding my daughter, leisurely observed me, as if watching a clown. Soon, the card machine beeped: “Transaction successful!” In an instant, everyone’s eyes were on me. Especially Sophia, whose eyes widened in disbelief as she stared at me. “Ryan, where did you get the money?” Jason raised an eyebrow, understandingly saying, “Oh, I get it. Ryan, you’re taking out a high-interest loan to impress a girl?” “You’re quite the character!” He sneered, smirking. I couldn’t be bothered to explain to them and was about to leave when a store clerk suddenly pointed at me, exclaiming: “Ah! I remember now, this gentleman is the one who won the 200 million jackpot yesterday!” “Two hundred million?!” The store erupted, and everyone started talking about me. My mother-in-law was stunned for a moment, then scoffed, “Him? Impossible, a loser like Ryan doesn’t have that kind of luck…” Before she could finish, Sophia, staring at her phone, interrupted with a pale face: “No, mom, something’s not right!” “The news says the 200 million winner really is…” “Ryan?!”
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