However, Suzy slammed her utensils down. "Henry, is this really how your family treats me? I'd be better off going home for the holidays."

My brother was quick to smooth things over. "Suzy, it's pitch-black outside, where could you possibly go?"

Mom chimed in quickly, "Yeah, Suzy, don't pick a fight with her. She hardly ever comes home, just for New Year's. They can crash in the guest room, and you guys take the master."

Our place did not have any fancy floor heating, and out of all three rooms, the guest room was the only one without a heater.

With the mercury dipping below freezing, how could Mom stand for that?

Suzy snorted, "Doesn't she have her own place? Dragging her kid back to her parents' for the holidays, isn't she worried about the gossip?"

I shot up from my seat, fuming, "Since when do I need your okay to come back to my own house?"

I had poured everything into this house. Ever since I graduated, Mom and Dad had not worked a day. I spent my paychecks and savings to give this place a makeover. The furniture, the AC, the couch, even the silverware—all of it was on my dime.

She thought she could just kick me to the curb?

Seeing me berating Suzy, my brother lost it and shoved me.

"Amy, what's with the attitude toward Suzy? This is my place, and it's Suzy's too. Let's face it, you're the one who left the nest. Suzy's not wrong!"

Mom was quick to back him up, "That's right, Amy. How can you even start to compare with Suzy? Better call your hubby to come get you.

"Coming back to your parents' place for New Year's, aren't you scared of what your in-laws might say?"

I chuckled bitterly. "Can't go back. We're divorced now."

"What?!"

Dad's eyes nearly popped out of his head, "When did you guys split? Why didn't I know?"

Marrying into a family with clout and cash had given Dad a reason to strut around the village. However, my ex was living a life of chaos, and I just could not take it anymore. That was why I called it quits.

Mom was right on my heels, gripping my sleeve. "Is this for real? You got divorced without even telling us about it?"

I wrinkled my brow and shrugged her off. "It's done. I'm out of that marriage. Is that a problem?"

Before I knew it, I felt a stinging slap across my face.

I clutched my cheek, staring at Dad in disbelief.

He was fuming, his face beet red as he jabbed a finger at me. "Who said you could end your marriage? What's going to happen to your brother now? I was counting on your husband to help him get a place in the city!"

I could not help but snicker. "Isn't my brother dating Miss Moneybags? He can just move in with her family. Her Highness wouldn't say no, would she?"

Panic flickered in Suzy's eyes as she snapped, "I never wanted Henry to be the one moving in. If he can't even buy a house, how is he supposed to make me feel safe and secure, let alone our future kid?"

"You're expecting?" Mom gasped, thrilled, reaching out to touch her belly.

Suzy huffed. "I came back to see if you people were serious. You're broke and rude. Maybe I should just forget the whole pregnancy!"

She spun on her heel to leave.

My brother blocked her path. "Suzy, don't be mad. It's all my sister's fault. I'll get her to say sorry, okay?"

Suzy let out a cold laugh. "She'll apologize to me? She probably wants me gone!"

Mom clutched at my arm. "Didn't you hear her? Say you're sorry to your sister-in-law. What if you upset your nephew? Could you live with that?"

Her nails dug into my skin, sending a jolt of pain that made me wince.

Dad was puffing on his cigarette with a scowl, not bothering to stick up for me.

I felt a chill settle in my heart.

Dad did not really love me after all, it seemed. I guess I was only ever valuable to him because I was useful.

I had planned to reassure them that even with the divorce, the hefty sum I got would be more than enough to take care of them.

However, after all this, what was the point?

"Why do I need to apologize? What did I do wrong? You're all so eager to kick me out, and she hasn't even officially joined the family yet!"

Suzy huffed, "You don't have to go. Henry told me your ex-husband is loaded, right? We're tying the knot soon, so how about you buy us a house in Kingsgate City? I'll let bygones be bygones."

I nearly burst out laughing. "You've got some nerve! Do you have any idea how much those Kingsgate City houses cost?"

However, she just smirked and said, "Of course I do. Our family owns a place there. If you don't even have a Kingsgate City house, what makes you think you're good enough to marry into our family?

"If you're not on board, maybe I'll just end the pregnancy!"

'It's not my kid. She can do whatever she wants,' I mused.

However, the moment she said that, Mom panicked. She grabbed my arm so hard that it hurt. "No way, that's my precious grandchild you're talking about, Amy! How much money did you get? Spill it!" she pleaded.

I bit my lip. My ex did not just leave me and my daughter with a million in cash; he threw in several properties and even a whole company.

My younger brother was on edge. "Sis, why the silent treatment? Suzy isn't after your cash. I've told you a million times, she's the Cromwell Group CEO's kid! Her liking me is like winning the lottery for us."

I narrowed my eyes. Cromwell Group owned the famous restaurant and hotel chains in town. However, my ex-husband had said he settled that with me.

I cut to the chase. "Really? I happen to know the Head of Cromwell Group. What's her old man's name?"

Suzy gave me an eye roll. "Why should I tell you? You think you're worthy of knowing my dad's name?

"We're not exactly hurting for money. However, Dad insists on marrying someone our own caliber. If you can't afford a house, just say so and stop wasting my time!"

She grabbed her purse, ready to storm out.

My brother was practically groveling. "Suzy, it's freezing out there! Don't catch a cold! It's just a house. Amy will totally help out with that."

Mom was quick to support him. "Exactly, she's got only one baby brother. If she won't help you, who will she help? Amy, say something, will you? Do you want to give me and your dad a heart attack?"

Dad was still fuming, flicking away his cigarette ash. "Why waste words on a thankless snake? If you can't cough up a million five hundred thousand bucks for your brother's house today, you might as well pack your bags!"

Outside, the wind howled and snow swirled.

My little girl clung to my leg, trembling with fear.

The closest town was a solid 30-minute drive away. Frankly, what kind of place would be open on New Year's Eve?

I bit back my frustration and tried to explain, "Dad, I didn't exactly hit the jackpot in the divorce, just a little over a hundred thousand, and it's all for the child."

"Over a hundred thousand is still a chunk of change. Does Tracy really need that much cash?"

Before I could answer, Mom jumped in, "Where's that hundred fifty thousand dollars? Hand it over, I'll keep it safe for you."

My brother wiggled his eyebrows at me and teased, "Hey Sis, it's Suzy's first time over, and you haven't even given her a welcome gift."

Dad gave me that look. "We've put so much into raising you. It's about time you gave back to the family."

Their eyes were practically glowing green, like they were vampires ready to drain me dry. I could not even fake a smile.

"How do you want me to give back? I'm broke."

"Then pack your bags and leave. We don't shelter freeloaders here!"

Dad's finger jabbed towards the door with zero warmth. Fireworks popped in the distance, but I was freezing inside.

I grabbed my daughter, ready to bolt, but my purse seemed to have swallowed my car keys whole.

My brother jingled the keys in front of me. "We need the car to make our New Year's rounds, Sis. Looks like you'll be going on foot."

Mom yanked me up and shoved my daughter and me toward the door. "Out, out, out! You wanted to leave, didn't you? Then go, and fast! Can't even bother to bring a present, what kind of family does that?"

Suzy was all smug, showing off her fancy nails and shooting me a taunting grin.

"You're really going through with this? Don't you feel bad? If not for yourself, then at least think of your daughter.

"I don't need much for a welcome gift—just stick to our family tradition and make it ten thousand dollars," she said.

My brother shot me a look, "Sis, Suzy's trying to let you off easy. Don't throw it back in her face, okay?"

Tracy was shoved to the front door, her face ghost-white with fear.

I wrapped my arms around her in a flash, gritting my teeth. "I could sell everything I own and still not scrape together ten thousand dollars. You want money from me? In your dreams!"

With that, I scooped up my daughter and bolted out the door.

The howling wind and snow swallowed the sounds of the quarrel we left behind.

My dad was so enraged that he shattered a plate, and Mom came after us, hurling words like daggers. "New Year's is around the corner, and you just have to drive us mad, don't you?! How did I end up with a daughter who's lost all shame?!

"Just go on, freeze to death for all I care!"

I clamped my hands over my daughter's ears, acting like I could not hear a thing either.

I dialed a number, and before long, a driver showed up to whisk my daughter and me away.

Good thing, too—taxis were a rare find on New Year's Eve.

The driver dropped us at a hotel, and I went all out, ordering a feast fit for a queen.

Stuffed and satisfied, my daughter and I settled by the panoramic window, gazing at the fireworks bursting in the night sky. I even squeezed in a call to my ex, just to confirm one thing.

This New Year, I gifted my daughter something huge—a wish for her happiness.

No need to visit anyone; we were free to do as we pleased.

That night, I took her out for dinner, just the two of us.

However, as fate would have it, we bumped into my parents and the whole clan of relatives.

As I sat in the dining hall with my daughter, sipping on water, Suzy laughed mockingly. "Need us to send over a couple of plates? Just drinking water looks pretty sad."

Hearing her, my parents and other relatives emerged. My daughter clung to me, frightened, so I wrapped my arms around her protectively.

Dad exploded with anger. "I knew you hadn't left. Why are you still hanging around? Let me make it clear, you're no daughter of ours!"

The relatives chimed in, trying to calm him down. "Don't get worked up; she's the one at fault for her divorce. Don't stress yourself sick over it."

"Amy's just confused. A divorced woman is like a pair of second-hand shoes—worthless even at a discount."

I let out a derisive laugh and faced them. "Are you done yet, you bunch of has-beens?"

Their faces flushed with anger. One woman muttered, "You're the has-been! How dare you talk to your elders that way!"

Mom was livid, ready to slap me. "You've lost all sense of decency, spouting off like that."

I caught her hand mid-air, my voice icy. "What? When I was well-off, you all couldn't wait to cozy up for a piece of the pie. Now that you think I'm a nobody, you're all ready to kick me while I'm down?"

My brother, with his girlfriend's hand in his, stepped up to me. "What are you blabbering about? The family never respected you.

"You were only something when you had money, thanks to your rich husband. Now that he's dumped you, what good are you?

"Do you even know who owns this place? If you don't apologize to everyone right now, do you think my girlfriend won't have you thrown out?"

That was when it hit me—this restaurant was part of the Cromwell Group empire.

Just as the tension peaked, a sharply dressed man strolled up.

"Sorry I'm late, ma'am."