Sent to Prison, I Came Back a Billionaire

"I did. No one answered my call." Had Jackson forgotten the words he said a few minutes ago? "I want to know why all my things were removed from my room."

"That's why I wanted you to call. We don't have space for you." Jackson explained.

"My room is just down the hall." I pointed at it. "I don't take up much space."

"My wife is heavily pregnant and she needs a lot of space. The baby will also need a room. We thought your things weren't useful. Since..."

He left the words hanging in the air. He didn't have to say it. We all knew why I was in prison for three years.

"I can give up my room, but why am I being treated like a stranger? I'm a member of this family. I provided more than half of the things in this house. Dad—"

My mother smacked me across the face before she spoke with anger. "Don't bring your father into this. He's the reason we went into debt."

I was shocked hearing this from my mother. When my father was alive, she dared not say a bad word against him. In fact, she would always take his side over anyone else. She and my father's love encouraged me to believe in family always having your back.

That was why I didn't hesitate to take Jackson's place when he was supposed to be charged with murder. But now, I had to speak my mind and hope they could remember how we used to love each other.

"We went into debt because you spent too much and Jackson wouldn't stop gambling. Dad wouldn't be pleased to see what is going on."

"Then it's better that he's not here to see it." My mother said.

I looked at all their faces, trying to understand why they wanted me out of my own house. "Fine, at least let me sleep on the couch. I don't have anywhere else to go."

"It would be better for you to stay in prison," Lisa said. "You already have a bad record."

Jackson quickly put his hand around my shoulder as he led me towards the main door that led to the street.

"Don't take this the wrong way sis , but I have a young child coming. He can't grow up in the same house as an ex-convict."

I cast his hand off my shoulder. "If things had gone right, your son would be the child of an ex-convict."

"You have to understand, Kathy."

I turned to my mother. She has always been able to convince Jackson to do the things he didn't want to do.

"Mom please, I don't have anywhere else to go. I've been fired from my job. None of my friends will talk to me. You didn't even visit me in prison."

My mother threw some dollar bills on my face. "Find a motel or a cheap hostel. That's the best I can help you with."

"This isn't enough to rent a small room for a day." I bent down to pick up the money.

"I have other pressing responsibilities. My grandson is coming soon." My mother frowned.

"Mum, please. Remember, I'm your only daughter..I gave my life to Jackson." I knelt down and tried to hold her skirt.

She kicked me off, then smiled at Lisa. "My daughter-in-law is the only daughter I have. Get out, you have no use here."

Now I could see everything Portia had said; why they never visited, why they never returned my calls. Even though I told them about the investments I made to secure my family's future, they didn't even bother to send me some of the money in prison.

I turned back to my brother, "You owe me, Jackson. My life is ruined because of you. At least, consider that and help me get back on my feet. Please, I'm still your little sister."

Lisa pushed me, "Don't talk to my husband like that. Have you forgotten that he's older than you?"

"Then he should act like an older brother and not throw me out of the house that I saved when the debtors wanted to take it."

"Your loss. Things have changed. Jackson has other priorities. Since you left, this family has been so much better. You must have bad luck."

I turned back to Jackson. He was the one who would have the final say.

But all he said was "I'm sorry, baby sis. There's no place for you. We managed to wipe the shame off our family when you were gone. It's best you never return Think of your nephew, give him a good start. Don't let him be insulted because of you."

I had made great sacrifices for these people. I could've died for them if they asked me. But they were willing to throw me away so easily even though I spent every day in prison, waiting to be reunited with them.

I didn't even think of how my friends would see me when I was accused of murder.

I turned to Jackson who had promised to always be my side and to support me when I came out of prison. "You lied to me on the day of the trial?"

"Would you have been willing to go to prison if we told you the truth?" My mother asked.

I still found it hard to believe that they used me as scapegoat. Other times when they used me started to come to mind.

"Lisa, I gave you blood for six months. I almost lost my life because of it."

"Thank you for giving me blood but you can't hold me ransom because of it."

"Same here. Thank you for going to prison. Are you happy now?" Jackson relied.

"I just want a place to live."

"Leave before I get men to drag you back to jail!" My mother pushed me out of the house and locked the door. "