Those words felt like a bucket of ice-cold water poured over me.
My heart went numb. Without saying anything, I silently gathered the things I brought, turned around, and stepped out of her home.
The cold winter wind made me shiver, extinguishing all thoughts of using demolition money to support Sarah.
——
On the day the demolition compensation arrived in my account, I called Michael and Emily over.
“Out of this $800,000, I plan to give you two $200,000, keep $200,000 for Robert and me for retirement, and give the remaining amount to your sister.”
“She married far away, so as her mother, I should still look after her.”
As soon as I finished speaking, Michael smiled and nodded.
“Mom, you’re right. It’s comforting to know our sister will have something to rely on.”
Emily added, “Giving money to our sister makes perfect sense; we fully agree.”
Seeing their response, I felt truly happy.
Back then, we were struggling. When Emily married into the family, we didn’t give her a proper dowry, not even a single valuable piece of jewelry. Yet she never complained and lived simply with Michael.