Hunger gnawed at me until I couldn't stand it anymore. I dialed Mom. "Mom, I don't have any money. Can you transfer me some?"
Since I started working, every paycheck went directly to Mom's card. She claimed she was "saving it for me." She had promised that whenever I needed money, I just had to ask.
"Money, money, money. From morning to night, that's all you know how to ask for." Her voice cut like glass. "When will you be sensible like your sister?"
Through the phone, Grace's sweet voice floated in the background. "Mom, come cut the cake!"
The call disconnected.
A moment later, a notification pinged. Mom sent a red packet.
One hundred dollars.
I opened my social media feed and immediately saw Grace's new post.
【Mom and Dad bought me a cake to celebrate my discharge! I'll love them forever. ️】
In the photo, my parents flanked Grace, beaming with love. On the table before them sat an exquisite, multi-tiered cake.
I recognized that bakery. That cake cost over two thousand dollars.
My vision blurred. I reached up to wipe my eyes, but my fingers came away wet with tears.
On my forearm, the death countdown numbers flickered, counting down the seconds.