I came home for New Year's Eve and gave my nephew an eight-thousand-dollar red envelope.
What I didn't expect was that dinner would go sideways—all because I ate one extra rib.
That was enough to make him burst into tears.
My father frowned immediately. "You're a grown woman. Fighting a child over food—how does that look?"
I was about to wave down the server and order another plate when my sister-in-law cut me off with a sidelong glare.
"Must be nice, not having to worry about the cost of things. That plate of ribs was over two hundred dollars!"
"Oh, and Lola Dickerson—when are you going back to work after the holiday?"
I smiled. "I quit. Figured I'd take some time off and rest at home."
Her expression changed instantly.
"You're thirty years old. No husband, no job—what, you're planning to mooch off this family like a parasite?"
"Can you have some boundaries? Do you have any idea how much it costs to run this household?"
"If you insist on staying here, you're paying ten thousand a month in living expenses. Otherwise, move out."
I looked at her and smiled.
"The New Year's Eve dinner? Eighty-eight thousand for the table. I paid for it."
"This villa we're all living in? The deed is in my name."
"And the reason Leo Acevedo is getting into that elite elementary school? My connections. My apartment's school district registration."
"So tell me—who exactly needs to learn about boundaries?"
——
I'd come home for the holiday break with gifts for the whole family, plus a separate eight-thousand-dollar red envelope for my little nephew, Leo.
For New Year's Eve dinner, I'd booked a private chef's table. Eighty-eight thousand dollars for one seating.
The mood at the table had been warm—festive, even—until the plate of sweet-and-sour ribs arrived.
I'd always loved that dish, and I was genuinely hungry, so I helped myself to a couple of extra pieces.
Leo suddenly let out a wail.
"Auntie's mean! She ate all the ribs!"
My father's face darkened.
"Lola, how old are you? Still snatching food from Leo?"
I blinked, caught off guard. "There's still half a plate left. If it's not enough, I'll just order another one."
But my sister-in-law shot me a look from the corner of her eye.
"A plate of ribs costs over two hundred dollars, and you talk about it like it's nothing. Do you know how much this dinner is costing your brother?"
I opened my mouth—I'd been about to say that I was the one who'd paid for the entire meal—but my father silenced me with a single sharp look.
Christine Finch jumped in to smooth things over. "It's New Year's Eve, let's not argue. Lola, when are you heading back to the office?"
I set down my chopsticks. "Aunt Christine, I quit."
"Quit? When did that happen?"
"Right before the holiday. I was exhausted. I want to take some time off."
The truth was, I'd been promoted with a raise.
I'd pulled several all-nighters before the holiday to land a major account for the company. My boss had personally approved a rest period before I came back.
I said what I said on purpose. Every time I'd come home before, my brother and sister-in-law had always told me not to work so hard. Take a few days off. There's always a room for you here.
I thought this time, my sister-in-law would say the same thing—then get some good rest.
But her face went rigid.
"So... you're planning to stay long-term?"
I nodded. "Sure. I can even help you look after Leo. Why—am I not welcome?"
When my sister-in-law first married into the family, she couldn't get pregnant. The neighbors talked. I was the one who paid for the traditional medicine treatments that finally helped her conceive Leo.
We didn't talk all that often, but every time I sent gifts home, I always included something for her.
I'd thought we were on decent terms.
I didn't expect what came next. The moment she heard my answer, her expression soured completely.
"Lola, it's not that you're unwelcome, but this house is only so big. There aren't enough rooms as it is, and Leo's about to start elementary school—he needs a quiet space to study..."
"Besides, you're an unmarried woman living long-term in your brother and sister-in-law's home. Doesn't that strike you as... a little inappropriate?"
