She wasn't in the best health, and I didn't want anything to upset her.
"It's nothing," I said. "Let's just watch the New Year's Gala."
As midnight approached, a commotion erupted outside.
Bang! Bang! Bang! Someone was pounding on the door.
I glanced out the window. Abner's SUV was parked right at the entrance.
This isn't good.
I immediately opened my phone's video recording.
The moment my father cracked the door open, Abner barged in, followed by his parents and his younger brother.
"Where's the ticket? Hand it over!"
Beth didn't waste a second.
I met her glare head-on.
"It's my ticket. Why would I give it to you?"
"It's marital property!" She jabbed a finger at me. "Abner's entitled to half!"
I lowered myself into a chair, taking my time.
"Then we'll settle that during the divorce proceedings. For now, I'd like you to leave. This is my home."
Beth shoved Abner forward. "Say something!"
His gaze flickered over me, conflicted.
"Cass, just... bring out the ticket. We can talk this through."
"Talk?" I stared at him. "You call rigging the dumpling so I'd find the coin, then announcing how to split the money before I could blink—talking? Ransacking my house—talking?"
"If you keep being this stubborn, you'll only hurt yourself!"
Abner's brow furrowed. "You spend money like water anyway. It'll be gone before you know it. Better to let Mom manage it."
I laughed—a cold, hollow sound.
Finally. Crystal clear.
In his mind, there was only the Fletcher family. Our little family—Rosemary and me—didn't even register.
I looked him dead in the eyes, enunciating every word.
"And if I refuse? What then? Will you hit me? Divorce me?"
He froze.
The question had never crossed his mind.
But Beth was already on her feet, livid.
"She's obviously hidden it with her family! Search the place!"
Seven, eight people tore through the house, ripping open drawers and overturning boxes. Even Rosemary, asleep in bed, woke with a start.
She burst into tears.
"Mommy, I'm scared!"
My mother rushed toward her, arms outstretched.
Then Beth's hand shot out.
She shoved my mother—hard.
"Check her! She's probably hiding it!"
Mom stumbled. Her feet couldn't find purchase.
Crack.
She hit the floor. Blood pooled beneath her head.
"Mom!"
I kicked free of Abner's grip and dropped to my knees beside her.
She was unconscious. Unresponsive.
"You—" My voice shook, raw with fury. "You murderers!"
Everyone went still.
No one had expected this.
Abner stepped forward, but Beth yanked him back.
My father had gone white, his lips trembling.
"H-hospital... we need to... hospital..."
I fumbled for my phone, fingers shaking as I dialed 120.
Beth snatched it from my hand.
"No calls! Not until you hand over that ticket!"
"My mother is dying!" I screamed. "And you're still thinking about money?"
Abner's expression twisted with something that might have been guilt. He opened his mouth—
One look from Beth, and he swallowed whatever he'd been about to say.
She planted her hands on her hips, unmoved.
"You want to save your mother? Then give us the ticket. Every second you waste is on you."
Tears streamed down my face. I couldn't stop them.
"Abner." My voice cracked. "Please. Just take her to the hospital. I'll—I'll split the ticket with you. Fifty-fifty."
I had to keep something. Without it, I couldn't afford to save her.
Beth still wouldn't budge.
"Words are cheap. Ticket first."
Whatever warmth remained in my heart turned to ice.
I looked at Abner, searching for something—anything.
