After Winning the Lottery, the Ungrateful Adopted Son Comes Back to Support Me

Grant nearly passed out from anger, and had to pop a few nitroglycerin pills to steady himself.

He was ready to confront Colin right then and there, but I stopped him. "Don't do that. You'll just end up making yourself sick, and that won't help anything. Now that we know what they're up to, I've got a plan."

I whispered a quick plan to Grant. He hesitated, but eventually nodded in agreement.

In the following days, Colin and Mila did everything they had promised when Colin was kneeling at our door. They took great care of us and did everything we asked.

Grant and I pretended to be moved by their actions. One night after dinner, I hugged Colin, tears in my eyes. "It's so good to have you back, Colin. Your dad and I have really missed you these past few years."

Colin was also tearful. We ended up crying together, looking like a family that had genuinely made up.

We spent the entire night in tears. The next day, I put on a show of making a tough decision. I sat Colin down in the living room, laying out some IOUs and a rental agreement.

I began, "Colin, all these years, your dad and I really wanted to reach out to you. But with all our debts, we didn't want to drag you into it. I wanted to forgive you right when you returned, but I was scared the creditors would come after you. You know... I was at a loss."

I dabbed my eyes with a tissue I'd secretly prepared by rubbing it with onion, making myself cry more convincingly. "But you and Mila are right. We're family. We should clear the air, no matter the misunderstandings. You two coming back to take care of us shows you're good kids. It would be wrong to push you away now."

Grant also dabbed his eyes, pretending to wipe tears. "Actually, our apartment lease is almost up. Could you help us out with the rent?"