You Faked Your Deaths to Punish Me?! That’s Illegal, Family! novel Chapter 35

Chapter 7

I acted like I didn’t notice and kept talking

“No idea what got into me today-walked past the gas station and right up to the lottery counter. My legs just… took me there.”

You little brat! Got too much money burning a hole in your pocket?!”

Mom spun around, looking for something to hit me with

“I oughta beat the life outta you!“

Aunt Karen stepped in fast.

“Well? How’d it go, Amy-did you win?”

I sighed and shook my head.

“Missed it by a hair.“

The jackpot was seventy-five grand-no, wait-seven hundred fifty thousand.” I hugged her.

“Til try again tomorrow. Don’t know why, but I feel like something’s… calling me.”

Her face bunched into a thousand wrinkles from grinning.

“Alright then. You must be tired-Aunt Karen’ll fix you something to eat.”

I flopped onto the couch and played on the phone with Liam.

“Liam,” I whispered in his ear, “I know where you hid it.”

“Don’t worry-your big sis would never rat you out.”

He exhaled in relief. “That’s more like it.“

I even promised I’d help him sell the gold chain for cash.

Watching him glued to his phone game, I felt a little thrill.

You like video games so much? Last time, you stole my phone and wrecked my whole life.

This time, I’ll make sure you ruin yours with it.

“Amy, you still awake

Around eles

I’d

Aunt Karen slipped into my room.

er about a business idea, but I shoved my phone under the pillow and blinked sleepily.

P: What’s up, Aunt Karen?”

ny blanket with this fake tenderness.

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“Out of everyone, you’re the one I care for most. The one I love most,” she said, eyes glassy.

“If I could choose, I’d want you to be my daughter.”

Her act was flawless.

If I hadn’t seen her true cruelty in my last life, I might’ve helieved her.

“I know,

1. Aunt Karen.” I sat up, nodding obediently.

Her lips curled in sly satisfaction.

“Good. I just couldn’t sleep, thought I’d chat with you a bit.”

Seeing I was playing along, she patted my hair and turned to leave.

“Aunt Karen, you’re so much better to me than my real mom,” I said, holding her hand.

“Mom just yells or hits me. If only you were my mother…”

I dropped my head, voice small.

“But she’s still my mom, so I’m gonna take care of her no matter what.”

In the dark, I caught the flash of hatred in Aunt Karen’s eyes.

“You’re a good kid, Amy.”

I yawned, and she finally left.

Breathing in the stench from some busted cardboard box nearby, I made up my mind again-my days sleeping in a junk pile were numbered.

The next morning, I called my sister, but she didn’t answer.

I was getting anxious when I heard Mom was in trouble.

“Kidnapped?” Dad’s voice shook over the phone. “What? Don’t hurt Jessi!”

He shot to his feet, and my stomach dropped. “What happened?”

“Your mom’s been kidnapped. They told me to bring every cent we’ve got if I want her back.”

He fumbled into his shoes.

“Not that there’s any money left-she’s been sending it all to your uncle for years.”

My chest tightened.

Dad had always know

at Aunt Karen and Uncle Jake were doing-he just didn’t care enough to stop it.

“So what

stuffing a few valuables into a bag. “We divorce.”

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