After being laid off, I unexpectedly won two hundred million dollars. But when I got home, I found my husband, Liam, throwing a lavish welcome party for his first love, Victoria. And when my name came up, everyone’s faces twisted with disgust. Liam’s mother, Brenda, rolled her eyes. “That useless woman lost her job, and she still expects Liam to pick her up? No one opens the door for her later!” Our son, Leo, clapped his hands in agreement. “Grandma’s right! Dad, hurry up and divorce that useless mom! I don’t want to call her mom anymore. I like pretty, rich Victoria. She can buy me limited-edition sneakers!” Liam chuckled. “As long as she agrees to let Victoria move in and let me date her, I’m willing to let her stay as a nominal wife.” I immediately demanded a divorce. But they were utterly consumed by regret when they later saw me driving a luxury car, with my new husband and our newborn son. “Dad, you let Victoria sit next to you, and Grandma and I will make heart shapes behind you…” When I pushed open the door, Liam, Leo, and Brenda were posing for a group photo on the couch with Victoria. They were huddled together, beaming brightly for the camera. The sound of the door made them finally notice me. Everyone’s smiles froze. The atmosphere hung heavy for a few seconds. The next second, the laughter resumed as if I were invisible. They simply changed their pose and continued snapping pictures. Not a single person acknowledged me. It wasn’t until they finished the photos that Brenda finally swept a disdainful gaze over me and spoke: “Well, Clara, you’ve got legs, can’t you walk home?” “I thought after you got laid off, you wouldn’t even know how to walk anymore, insisting Liam pick you up.” At that moment, I was soaked to the bone, my hands and feet numb with cold. Today, after being fired, a heavy rainstorm hit. Liam had promised to pick me up after work, but he never showed, even past midnight. I walked over six miles back home in the pouring rain. Before entering, I’d already heard their contempt and mockery behind my back. But I never imagined that even after I returned home, they would still ignore me, laughing and chatting with another woman. A bitter pang shot through my heart. I was just about to speak. Suddenly, a piece of cake flew at me! Splat! My face was covered in cream. I looked up. Leo was hiding behind Victoria, glaring at me with undisguised disgust: “You’re lazy! You don’t work hard to earn money to support Dad and me! So useless!” “You’re not even as good as Victoria’s pinky toe!” My heart was sharply pierced. This was the son I had loved and cherished for ten years. For Victoria, he showed adoration and joy, but for me, only sarcasm and scorn. At this point, Liam, who had been silent, finally spoke. He frowned, chastising Leo: “Leo, how can you talk to your mom like that? You’re being so disrespectful!” He put on an act of defending me, grabbing a towel and handing it to me gently. “Clara, don’t mind what the kid says. Go change your clothes first, then we’ll talk.” As I took the towel, I caught the undisguised disgust in his eyes. A deeper wave of sorrow washed over me. Just as I was about to head to the room, Victoria suddenly walked over and greeted me: “I just got back from overseas, and Liam absolutely insisted on throwing me this welcome party. I really couldn’t refuse, so I came.” “I heard you just lost your job? Don’t worry, the economy isn’t great right now. I might be able to help you find something.” Her seemingly kind and friendly demeanor only made me feel more humble and pathetic. Before I could answer, Brenda impatiently shoved me: “What are you standing there for? Aren’t you going to thank Victoria?” “You’re a woman in your thirties, and you still got fired? How embarrassing for Liam!” I stumbled from the push, almost falling. But Liam and Leo, whom I loved deeply, acted as if they hadn’t seen anything, their entire attention focused on that woman. This was clearly my home, yet I felt like a stranger. In the end, I said nothing and went to my room to wash up. When I came out again, they were already seated at the dining table, eating. No one had called me. There wasn’t even a place or utensils set for me at the table. Seeing me approach, Liam slowly put down his fork and looked at Leo: “Leo, go get your mom some utensils.” Leo rolled his eyes at me. “No way! She doesn’t even have a job. She can’t support Dad, Grandma, and me anymore, so why should I get her anything?” “Mom, don’t you have hands? Are you just going to be useless from now on?” Such sharp, cruel words, coming from my own son. My heart held nothing but sorrow and self-mockery. Liam shot Leo a disapproving glance and then said to me, “Clara, you’ve spoiled this kid rotten. Go get some from the kitchen, and you can sit next to me. Just squeeze in…” Before he finished speaking, Brenda suddenly stood up. I thought she was going to help me get utensils, since she used to do that when I was the one earning money for the family. But instead, she grabbed the pet’s food bowl and shoved it into my hand. “There are no clean bowls left in the kitchen. Wash this and use it.” In that moment, a bitter, biting irony twisted in my gut. This—this was the ‘family’ I had worked tirelessly for ten years to support: Liam, Leo, and Brenda… “No, thanks. I’m not eating.” I turned to go back to my room, but Victoria spoke up, feigning surprise: “Clara, you’re not angry, are you?” “I just asked around, and my company still needs a cleaner. It pays five thousand dollars a month.” “It’s not very glamorous, but a good cleaner can even get promoted to supervisor.” I knew perfectly well she was trying to belittle me while showing off her capabilities to Liam. I had just said “no” when Brenda suddenly stood up and slammed her hand on the table! She yelled at me furiously: “Someone’s offering you a job, and you’re being picky?!” “Are you not going to support your husband and child? Are you really planning to live off my son’s money from now on?” In that moment, I could no longer suppress the rage bubbling inside me. When we first got married, Brenda was sick and needed care, and Liam couldn’t work. I was responsible for all the family expenses. Later, when Liam wanted to start his own studio, I invested my hard-earned savings into it. Yet, he never contributed a single dime of his earnings to household expenses. Liam finally spoke, frowning as he reminded me: “Clara, you’re unemployed now!” “As the woman of this house, you have to take responsibility.” “Also, Victoria just returned to the country. She’ll temporarily stay in your room, and she’ll pay rent, which will help ease our financial pressure. You can live in the storage room from now on.” His words sounded perfectly reasonable, as if my refusal would make me irresponsible. It was then that I finally understood. They were simply banking on my desperate situation of being unemployed and broke, forcing me to accept Victoria’s presence. In that moment, my last shred of attachment to this family completely vanished. Remembering the two hundred million dollars that were about to be mine, I no longer held back. I said coldly: “No need to trouble yourselves. I’m moving out!”
“No job? Going out to beg for food, huh? What an embarrassment! Don’t anyone stop her, just let her get out!” Brenda couldn’t resist mocking me. Liam looked at me with disappointment, then ignored me, turning his head to put food on Leo’s plate. Leo, meanwhile, rolled his eyes, hugging Victoria’s arm and sweetly chiming: “Victoria, give Dad some food, Dad loves vegetables.” This heartwarming scene only made me feel more like an out-of-place fool. I decisively went back to my room, packed my things, and picked up my suitcase to leave. But Brenda suddenly walked over, rudely snatched my suitcase, and looked at me as if I were a thief. “You can leave, but let me check if you’ve stolen anything from the house!” With that, she reached for my suitcase zipper. I had wanted a clean break, but I never expected Brenda to be so overbearing! I immediately snatched my suitcase back, roaring: “You don’t have that right!” Seeing my reaction, Brenda became even more convinced I had something to hide, and she started yelling obscenities at me. The commotion quickly drew Liam. After hearing the whole story, Liam frowned and stared at me for a few seconds. Then, he suddenly pulled me into the room and closed the door. He said to me earnestly, “Clara, stop making a scene, okay?” “I know losing your job has been hard, and I understand you don’t want to be a cleaner. I’ll ask Victoria to arrange for you to be a driver. How about that?” “Right now, you don’t have a job, so just bear with it. At least try to show your value in the house, right?” Listening to his high-sounding words, I felt utterly disappointed. “Your ‘value’ only exists when I’m earning money to unconditionally support you and your mother? And when I can’t, I’m just a maid in my own home, watching your first love become your mistress? Is that it?” Liam’s face turned grim. He said, enraged, “Clara, what nonsense are you talking about? I’m trying to talk to you nicely, and you’re being so ungrateful!” “Don’t forget,you’re the one who’s unemployed right now!” I was completely done arguing with him and pushed the door to leave. But Leo suddenly rushed over, forcefully slapping a document against me, shouting: “Useless mom, hurry up and divorce Dad! I want Victoria to be my mom!” I read the words on the paper, and it was a printed divorce agreement. In the bottom right corner, Liam had already signed his name. Brenda stood beside him, nodding with satisfaction. “My smart grandson, you’ve got to kick this useless woman out!” Then she pointed at me, her voice sharp: “What are you waiting for? Sign it now! Liam felt sorry for you and didn’t want to bring up divorce, but now it seems, this is perfect timing!” I looked at Liam’s cold, indifferent face. Without further hesitation, I snatched the pen, signed my name, and threw the paper to the floor! “Fine, divorce! See you at the courthouse tomorrow at nine!”
When I left the house, the rain had stopped. I pulled the crumpled lottery ticket from my pocket. The winning amount was two hundred million dollars. When I was laid off, I notified my family, but I still felt miserable, so I bought a lottery ticket on a whim. I never expected to win the grand prize. I was overjoyed and wanted to share the news with Liam. I even planned to buy a bigger house for us, expand his studio, buy luxury bags for Brenda, and get Leo those limited-edition sneakers… But all that anticipation shattered with the scenes that had just unfolded. I arrived at a hotel, planning to get a room for the night, but when I swiped my card, I was told: “Apologies, ma’am, your card has been suspended.” My heart sank. All the money I’d earned over the years had been handed over to him. This card was what Liam gave me for daily expenses. Before leaving home, I thought,fine, I’ll just forfeit all my savings from these past years. But I never imagined Liam would be so ruthless. It was laughable how I had scrimped and saved for this family, never daring to order takeout that cost more than ten dollars! I called Daniel, my only friend and college classmate in this city, for help. The moment he heard I was broke, he immediately transferred six thousand dollars to me. He even ordered food and had it delivered to me. That night, it was the first time I’d had a warm meal since yesterday. The family I deeply loved and sacrificed everything for was worth less than a casual acquaintance. It was truly ridiculous. The next day, at exactly nine o’clock, I arrived at the courthouse. I immediately saw Liam and Victoria, dressed in perfectly matching outfits, holding hands and chatting outside. Brenda had even gotten her hair done, her face beaming with joy. Even Leo was dressed in a festive red suit and a red bow tie. “Hmph, good thing you’re sensible enough not to drag my son and grandson down into a life of poverty! Liam, go get the paperwork done!” Brenda urged Liam. I didn’t waste any words and walked straight into the hall. Liam gave me a complicated look for a moment before following me inside. Less than half an hour later, the divorce certificate was finalized. As I prepared to leave, Liam suddenly called out to me, holding out a card with a condescending pity on his face: “Thank you for leaving Leo’s custody, the house, and the property to me.” “There are twenty thousand dollars on this card. From now on, you’re on your own.” Looking at his hypocritical face, I didn’t even want to speak. But I still took the card; after all, it was my hard-earned money. Only a fool would refuse. Next, I went to cash in my lottery ticket. Two hundred million, after taxes, was quickly deposited into my account. I immediately arranged to meet Daniel for dinner. He was the only one who helped me when I was at my most helpless. Not just last night, but for so many years, whenever there were major family expenses, Liam would never humble himself to borrow money. It was always me, time and again, asking Daniel for help to get through those tough times. So now that I was back on my feet, I had to repay him. I arranged to meet him at a shopping mall, then headed straight for a luxury store to pick out a gift for him. Daniel, worried I was acting rashly, kept trying to pull me out, persuading me: “Clara, this place is too expensive. Let’s go somewhere else.” I stubbornly helped him pick out suitable clothes and a belt. Just then, Liam walked into the store with Brenda, Leo, and Victoria. The moment he saw me, Liam’s smiling face instantly darkened. “Clara, are you stalking me?”
“Clara, can’t you have some self-respect? Are you really going to resort to harassment now?” Brenda couldn’t hold back and started yelling at me. I said calmly: “You’re all too full of yourselves. I’m here picking out a gift for my friend. Why would I need to stalk you?” Daniel stood there awkwardly, holding the belt, unsure what to say. Victoria, however, suddenly let out a snicker: “Picking out a gift? Clara, it seems you’ve never been in a luxury store like this; you don’t know a thing!” “Do you know how much that belt in your hand costs? At least one hundred thousand dollars!” “Even I have to think twice before buying a belt like this. You?” She shook her head with a scornful laugh. Liam’s expression was even more disgusted, as if he hated my lack of ambition. He said unhappily: “Clara, you only have the twenty thousand dollars I gave you in your entire account.” “Are you really going to cut off your future livelihood just for appearances?” “If you truly hit rock bottom, don’t come begging me. It won’t do you any good!” I almost laughed out loud. My daily interest alone was over ten thousand dollars, more than his monthly salary. Why would I need to beg him? “Who says Clara can’t afford it? It’s just a hundred thousand dollars! We’ll buy it!” Daniel, standing beside me, bravely spoke up. As he spoke, he secretly slipped a card into my hand, his eyes signaling for me to use it. I knew that was Daniel’s entire savings from all these years. Now, he was willing to take it out just to help me save face. A surge of warmth flooded my heart. Actually, I had always known this man’s feelings for me. But at the time, my heart was set on Liam, so I never openly responded to him. At this moment, I truly felt like I had been blind all these years. To have fallen for a man like Liam. I gave Daniel a gentle smile. “It’s okay, I have money.” With that, I pulled out my own card and handed it to the sales assistant. “Card, please.” As the assistant took the card to process the payment, Brenda burst into laughter, clearly expecting a show. Liam frowned, looking at me with disappointment. Victoria, holding Leo, calmly watched me, as if observing a clown. Soon, the card machine beeped: “Transaction successful!” In an instant, everyone’s eyes focused on my face. Especially Liam. His eyes almost bulged, staring at me in disbelief. “Clara, where did you get that money?” Victoria raised an eyebrow, a knowing smirk on her face. “Oh, I get it. Clara, you’re so desperate to impress men that you’re willing to take out a high-interest loan just to show off?” “You really are something else!” She sneered, curling her lip. I couldn’t be bothered to explain to them. Just as I was about to leave, a store clerk suddenly pointed at me and exclaimed: “Oh! I remember now! This lady is the winner of the two hundred million dollar lottery prize yesterday!” “Two hundred million?!” Instantly, the entire store erupted, everyone staring at me and murmuring. Brenda paused, then scoffed, “Her? Impossible. Useless Clara wouldn’t have such good luck…” Before she finished speaking, Liam suddenly stared at his phone, his face pale, and interrupted with a trembling voice: “No!” “The news says the winner of two hundred million really is…” “Clara?!”
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