My sister-in-law rolled her eyes, her voice dripping with false sweetness. "Cassandra, are you really this attached to money? We're family. No need to be so petty."

"If you're not petty, you pay."

I stood up.

"Keep your prize. Give it to whoever you want. I'm done."

"Sit down!"

My mother-in-law rose to her feet.

"Rules are rules! The lucky dumpling tradition has been passed down for generations. You want to disrespect our ancestors?"

"Our ancestors wanted the younger generation to hand out a million dollars to the whole family?"

I lifted my five-year-old daughter, Rosemary Martinez, into my arms.

"Wow. Ancestors really knew how to run a business."

My mother-in-law's hands flew to her hips. She whirled toward her son.

"Abner! Control your wife!"

Abner scrambled to his feet and reached for me.

"Cassandra, stop making a scene. It's the New Year—"

"I'm making a scene?"

I stared into his eyes.

"I told one person about the lottery. Just one."

His gaze darted away.

And in that moment, everything became crystal clear.

"It's not like you're using that money." His voice dropped to a whisper. "Just share it with the family. Let everyone enjoy the good fortune."

I glared at him.

"Did it ever occur to you that we might need it? What if one of us gets seriously ill? What if there's an emergency? That money is our safety net."

My mother-in-law spat twice in disgust.

"It's New Year's Eve! Why are you saying such unlucky things?"

My sister-in-law crossed her arms. "Let's call it what it is—you're just selfish."

"Yes. I'm selfish."

I nodded.

"And selfish people don't belong at this table. So I'll see myself out."

I held my daughter tight and walked out without looking back.

Behind me, all hell broke loose.

My mother-in-law's shrill voice cut through the chaos, sharp as broken glass.

"Walk out that door, and don't you dare come back!"

I didn't turn around.

In the elevator, Rosemary tugged at my sleeve, her voice small.

"Mommy, why aren't we eating dinner?"

"Because they wanted Mommy to be their fool."

"What's a fool?"

I smoothed her hair, my jaw tight. "Someone who gets robbed and then says thank you."

I hailed a cab and headed straight for my parents' place in the Eastside District.

My phone buzzed the entire ride. Abner's name flashed on the screen, message after message.

Where did you go? Come back.

Mom was just thinking about the whole family. If you disagreed, you could've talked it out.