Chapter 2
That was when I realized–none of them wanted me to claim the prize.
Panic gripped me. I waved my hands frantically, trying to explain. “Dad, Mom, this money isn’t just for me! With it, Rosie can pay her tuition, Dad won’t have to hide from debt collectors, Mom can finally afford surgery… And the doctor said if my leg doesn’t get treated soon, I’ll be crippled forever. This money–this is a lifeline from the heavens!”
But they ignored my pleas. Instead, they exchanged a tense, silent glance filled with
unease.
Then my father muttered, “We can’t let the boy leave the house anymore.”
My mother’s expression darkened. “I have an idea–lock him in the basement. Put him in with the wolfhound.”
I stood frozen, paralyzed by the horror of what I had just heard.
I couldn’t believe it. Why? Why had they turned into strangers the moment they found out I had won five million?
This was supposed to be the best day of our lives! We were drowning in desperation–this money should have been our salvation!
But before I could make sense of it all, they were already dragging me toward the
basement.
I tried to twist free, spinning around in a desperate bid to escape–but Rosie kicked my injured leg, and I crumpled to the floor.
Tears streamed down my face as I begged them to let me go. I even offered to give them the ticket, to let them claim the prize themselves.
But they didn’t listen. Not a word.
Without a shred of hesitation, they shoved me into that pitch–black, foul–smelling
basement.
They starved me. Deprived me of water. Then they threw in a starving wolfhound.
They knew–they all knew that I had been bitten by a stray dog as a child. That I feared dogs more than anything.
The moment I saw the beast, my legs buckled beneath me. I pounded on the door, screaming, crying, pleading for mercy.
But no one answered. No one even came close.
The wolfhound lunged, tearing a chunk of flesh from my thigh.
The air filled with the thick, metallic stench of blood. The pain was so unbearable, I lost consciousness.
The next morning, my parents and sister came to check on me.
Mom smiled as if nothing had happened. “Julius, you must be hungry. I made you some
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steamed buns.”
I let out a bitter laugh. I couldn’t understand how she could pretend nothing had happened.
I snapped, madness overtaking me. “Why? Why are you doing this to me?”
Her smile vanished instantly and her eyes went cold.
Dad’s face darkened as well, his gaze was filled with disgust. Without a word, he kicked me hard in the chest. “You ungrateful bastard!”
The blow knocked the breath from my lungs. I could barely inhale.
Mom’s eyes shimmered with malice. Her lips curled into a chilling smile.
“If Julius doesn’t want buns, then maybe he’d like more company.”
“These dogs were trained specially. They know how to ‘discipline‘ disobedient little brats.”
They released more wolfhounds into the basement.
The beasts tore into me relentlessly, their jaws ripping flesh from bone.
Both my arms were torn from my body.
Within a single day, I died in agony.
Even in death, I couldn’t understand why.
Why did they want me dead just because I won five million dollars?
The terror from my previous life surged back. I clutched the lottery ticket tightly, took a deep breath, and made a vow.
This time, I will uncover the truth.
I didn’t tell Rosie I had won.
I thought, as long as she didn’t know, nothing would happen.
But then, with a bright smile, she asked, “Brother, I saw you went to buy a lottery ticket yesterday. Did you win?”
My heart skipped a beat in fear, but I forced a calm smile. “No, of course not. Winning isn’t that easy.”
She giggled. “You’re so careless, big brother. Give me the ticket. I’ll help you check–maybe you missed something.”
Chapter 2
