The Day My Mom Was Buried

: No Longer Pretending to be Poor

The day my mother was buried.

My father was marrying my aunt, and my cousin was moving in right along with her.

She also had her eyes on my fiancé.

"Sister, look at you, all drab and dreary. You're not good enough for Julian anymore."

When I refused, my father disowned me in a fit of rage.

He said, "What's the big deal? Just let your cousin have him! If you can't, then get the hell out of this house!"

I left immediately.

My poor aunt and cousin. I bet they have no idea my fiancé is bankrupt.

My father had always been a parasite, living off my mother's money.

And as for me, I was finally free of them!

After putting up with it for so long, I can finally stop pretending to be poor!

1

The day my mother was buried, my father married my aunt and brought home my cousin, Ella Shaw.

Ever since we were little, she loved to steal my things—from toys and dresses to my friends.

Now she was even plotting to steal my fiancé, Julian Thorne.

"I'm so envious, cousin. You always find such wonderful boyfriends. Unlike me, I've never even been in a relationship."

"My mother always taught me that a girl should stay pure and save herself for her husband. That way, she won't be looked down on."

"Julian, could you help me find a boyfriend? Someone just like you would be perfect. I really like your type."

Her flirting was so blatant it practically slapped me in the face, but for Julian Thorne, it was a bullseye.

With a smug, oily confidence, he lifted his T-shirt to show off his abs.

"Not every man has a rock-solid body like mine. If you don't believe me, come and feel for yourself."

Ella Shaw's eyes went wide like a deer's, her cheeks blushing as she said bashfully, "But if I do... wouldn't my cousin get upset?"

Julian Thorne grabbed her hand, pressed it against his abs, and began to caress her fingers.

"Of course not. We're just having a friendly conversation."

Ella Shaw bit her lower lip, her finger tracing circles on his abs.

Julian Thorne glanced around, and after making sure no one was watching, he yanked Ella Shaw into a nearby utility closet.

Before long, things got hot and heavy.

Having watched enough from the second floor, I timed my entrance perfectly.

I led a group of relatives to the door and kicked it open. Inside, the two of them were wrapped around each other, locked in an inseparable kiss.

Ella Shaw shrieked, "AHHH—"

Julian Thorne scrambled to pick up his clothes from the floor, his back covered in clear scratch marks.

My aunt cursed, "Jasmine Sterling, you damn bitch! What do you think you're doing? Are you trying to ruin my wedding to your father?"

I crossed my arms and scoffed. "How could I? My mother was just buried today, yet you couldn't wait to marry my father. With a passion like yours, who could possibly ruin this wedding?"

"And Ella Shaw certainly takes after you, seducing my fiancé for a romp in a utility closet. It really runs in the family!"

"Tsk, tsk. They say you shouldn't foul your own nest, but you two just have to go after my mother's man and mine, don't you!"

The guests erupted in laughter, immediately turning to point and whisper about my aunt.

My aunt spat. "You little bitch! Don't you dare try to sling mud."

"Your mother is dead. I'm helping her by taking care of your father. She ought to be grateful!"

"If you were any good, would your man be with my daughter? No, it's because you're useless. You deserve to have him stolen from you."

I started to clap.

"Well said, beautifully said. You've managed to make shamelessness sound so poetic."

My father's veins bulged, his neck flushing crimson.

"Jasmine Sterling! Who told you to talk to your stepmother like that? Apologize to her and Ella right now, or get out of this house!"

I fought to hide a smile as I turned to leave, worried that if I hesitated for a second, he'd take it back.

'If only I'd known it would be this easy, I would have given her another round of applause.'

My poor aunt and cousin. They must not know that my fiancé is bankrupt.

And my father, too, lived by leeching off my mother's money.

And as for me, I was finally free of them!

After putting up with it for so long, I could finally stop pretending to be poor!