Sarah and Mother Novel Left Without a Share, Her Daughter Lost Her Mind

We received $800,000 in compensation for the demolition of our old house. After talking it over with Michael and Emily, I decided to give $200,000 to Sarah.
The next day, just as dawn broke, I set out with my bank card in hand and a basket of freshly picked vegetables from our garden.
Knowing Sarah loves these homegrown vegetables, and having missed her for so long, my heart was full of anticipation.
After more than two hours on the road, I finally arrived at Sarahs home.
I had just set the vegetable basket in the entryway when Mrs. Adams stood up from the sofa, glancing at me with clear disdain.
Oh dear, what did you bring? Look at this basket, its getting mud all over the floor! We just cleaned everything, and now its dirty again!
I hurried to wipe it, but David frowned and said.
Mom, with respect, arent vegetables from gardens usually fertilized with manure? Theyre filthy! How can we keep them here? Henry is still smallwho would take responsibility if he gets sick?
I froze, turning to Sarah, but she avoided my gaze.
Yes, Mom, please dont bring these things next time. Nobody here likes eating them.
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, youre right. Its 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 didnt give her a proper dowry, not even a single valuable piece of jewelry. Yet she never complained and lived simply with Michael.
Looking at the balance in my bank account, I quietly decided that after visiting Sarah, I would withdraw another 200,000 dollars for Emily. It would be a small sign of appreciation from me, something she could use to buy jewelry or anything she liked.
After making up my mind, I began thinking about what to bring for Sarah.
After a long moment of consideration, I concluded that vegetables from our own garden would be the best gift.
Sarah had loved my vegetables since childhood, and besides, I personally took care of the garden without pesticides or chemical fertilizersthey were much healthier than anything in supermarkets.
With that thought, I went into the garden and began picking vegetables. The frost these past days made them taste even better.
I collected several different kinds of vegetables until my bamboo basket was full.
After finishing with the vegetables, I remembered Sarah often said how delicious countryside poultry was, so I went to the coop. I caught two geese and two chickens, tied them with a straw rope, and placed them beside the basket.
Once everything was prepared, I finally took out my phone to call Sarah. When she heard I was coming, she immediately said she had the next day off and would wait for me at the station.
The following morning, Michael and Emily carried my bags to the station and saw me off. Emily even slipped a hand warmer into my palm.
Mom, its cold outside. This will keep your hands warm.
Please let me know once you arrive safely.


I nodded and boarded the train. Two hours later, I finally arrived in New York City.
As soon as I walked out of the station, a light rain started falling. A cold wind, mixed with raindrops, slipped into my collar, making me instinctively hunch my shoulders.
I gripped the hand warmer, eyes fixed on the exit, afraid I might miss Sarah.
Half an hour passed after our agreed time, yet she still hadnt shown up.
Another half hour went by, and the rain grew heavier. My pants and shoes were soaked, and the hand warmer had almost gone cold. Anxiously, I pulled out my phone and dialed Sarah again and again.
She finally picked up on the twelfth call.
Mom, Im really sorry, something urgent happened at home, and I cant leave to pick you up. Her voice sounded hurried, and I could faintly hear laughter and chatting behind her.
I was just about to tell her that I had too many things and taking a taxi would be difficult.
Then Sarah said, There are plenty of taxis at the station. Just take one yourself, Ill send you the address on Instagram. Before I could say anything else, the call ended.
I stared at the dark screen, then at the things I brought, and finally let out a long sigh.
What if Sarah truly had something urgent?
Thinking that, I braced myself, managed to hail a taxi, and squeezed myself and all my things inside.
After all that effort, I finally reached Sarahs place with my bags. But the moment I arrived, I heard bursts of laughter and cheerful voices from inside.
I pushed the door open and saw Mrs. Adams on the sofa, eating sunflower seeds, David leaning against her scrolling on his phone, and Sarah playing with Henry, who was laughing so hard he was rolling on the floor. Nothing about the scene looked urgent.
When Sarah saw me come in, she quickly stood up, rubbing her hands as she explained,
Mom! Youre here! Henry kept begging me to play with him all day, and I really couldnt pull away, so I wasnt able to pick you up.
I looked at her, then at Mrs. Adams and David lounging comfortably in the room, and I couldnt help feeling disappointed.
There were so many people in the house; even if Henry was clingy, couldnt they have asked Mrs. Adams or David to pick me up?
The words reached my lips, but I held them back.
Just then, the goose I brought suddenly flapped its wings, tipping the bamboo basket over, sending vegetables rolling everywhere and feathers drifting all over the floor.