After Winning the Lottery, My Family Pestered Me

I left Isabel's home and shivered as a cold wind hit me.

What a fool I'd been.

I'd thought her family was so pitiful. I was ready to help them out. Instead, they tried to saddle me with responsibilities through marriage.

I'd wanted to rescue Isabel from her misery, giving her a happy life and warm home. Turned out, she was happy as a clam there, even helping her family take advantage of me.

All that talk about her sick mom and young brother was a load of bull. They were just lazy bloodsuckers desperate to find a meal ticket.

Thankfully, I saw their true colors in time. Otherwise, they would've bled me dry.

I decided to break up with Isabel.

Since I'd been covering her expenses, she'd moved in with me.

Back at my apartment, seeing all the clothes and shoes I'd bought her, I kicked myself again for being such a sucker. I'd given her my heart and soul, but I was just a tool for her to help her brother.

I packed all Isabel's stuff and called a cab to drop it off at her place.

When I called to tell her to come get her things, she thought I wanted to make up. She was cold as ice.

As soon as she picked up, her smug attitude practically oozed through the phone. "Reed, don't try sweet-talking me. If you don't agree to my mom's demands, we're through."

It looked like money and property were the real test of love. The sweet girl from before had turned into this.

I shouted into the phone, "I sent your stuff to your building entrance. Come get it yourself."

Isabel couldn't believe her ears. "W-what did you say?"

I repeated, "Come get your things. We're done. Hope you find someone to buy your brother a house soon."

I hung up before she could react and took off in the cab.

I finally realized that I had to respect her fate. Being a saint was not an option.

That night, I drowned my sorrows alone at home.

Three years of love ended like this. I felt sad despite everything. After all, she was the girl I'd given my whole heart to.

In my drunken haze, I said goodbye to the past.

The next day, I was late for work.

As I rushed to the office, I saw Isabel waiting for me.

She came right over when she saw me.

Her eyes were red and puffy, her face haggard. It looked like she'd had a rough night too. For a moment, my heart softened.

She stared at me. "Reed, are you really this heartless? Throwing away three years of love over a house?"

I laughed bitterly, "Aren't you the heartless one? Ruining our marriage to buy your brother a house."

She gazed at me intently. "Reed, just agree to my mom's request. She's had it tough all these years."

Her words snuffed out any warmth I'd felt. "Your mom had it tough? What about my family? Does your mom's tough life mean my family owes you a house?"

Isabel grabbed me, teary-eyed. "Reed, give the house to my brother. We can rent a place. I'm willing to struggle with you."

I laughed angrily, "What do you mean you're willing to struggle with me? That struggle is your choice. Why should I give your brother my house and rent one?"

Isabel screamed, "I've been with you for three years and you dumped me over a house? Are you even human?"

What kind of logic was this? How unreasonable could she be?

I said, "Isabel, how am I dumping you? I came with a dowry, engagement ring, and fully paid house to marry you. Your family made unreasonable demands. How is that my fault?"

Isabel pointed at me, shaking. "Fine! You'll regret this."

She ran off crying.

Watching her go, I felt awful.

I went to work late and lost my attendance bonus, which added to my frustration.

At my desk, I couldn't focus. I pulled out my phone and posted on social media. [Single again. Saying goodbye to the past.]

Next, I deleted Isabel from my contacts. Time to forget the past and start fresh.

Looking at my bank balance, I suddenly thought that if I didn't get married, I should live in the present and splurge a bit.

No sooner said than done. I quit my job on the spot and decided to take a nice trip to relax.

Leaving my building with my suitcase, I saw the lottery store. The owner greeted me, "Reed, where you off to? Haven't seen you buy tickets in ages."

I used to buy tickets now and then for fun, but I hadn't lately with all the wedding planning.

Thinking about all that money in my account, I splurged and bought 1,000 dollars worth of tickets.

Then I set off on my spur-of-the-moment trip.

My first stop was the frontier I'd always dreamed of visiting.

The grasslands were gorgeous. As I lay there soaking in the blue sky, white clouds, and herds of animals, my phone rang.

It was the lottery store owner. "Reed, you lucky dog. You hit the jackpot."

Jackpot? I shook my head and pinched myself hard. It hurt. Not a dream.

The owner exclaimed, "You won 50 million. Kid, you've struck it rich."

I'd won the lottery. That family of leeches was the real joke now.