I stood in the rain watching the movers carry elegant Furniture into my sister Emma's new mansion a wedding gift from our parents a $2.8 million house in the most prestigious neighborhood in Boston meanwhile I live in a small apartment above the bookstore where I worked barely making ends meet isn't it perfect for them my mother gushed not noticing how soaped I'd gotten standing outside Emma and James will be so happy here and there's plenty of room for grandchildren I forced a smile thinking of the congratulations card I'd scrape together money to buy it's beautiful mom
Emma emerged from the house Immaculate in designer clothes her new engagement ring catching what little sunlight filtered through the clouds Madison you finally made it what do you think of our starter home starter home as if a nearly $3 million mansion was just a stepping stone it's lovely I managed the perfect wedding present oh don't be jealous Maddie Emma laughed using the nickname I'd always hated I'm sure you'll find someone special too maybe one of those nice boys at the bookstore our mother jumped in you know the Henderson son is still single he's an accountant
now very stable career I bit my tongue at 32 I had a master's degree in literature and was working on my first novel but to them I was just the family disappointment the daughter who chose books over business dreams over security I should go I said quietly my shift starts soon on a Saturday mom frowned but we're having a family dinner to celebrate Emma's house some of us have to work weeken Mom Emma rolled her eyes still so dramatic Maddie this is why you struggle you know always choosing the hard way instead of accepting help
help like the full ride to business school I turned down like the position at Dad's firm I'd refused like the arranged dates with suitable men I'd avoided what they never understood was that their help always came with strings golden handcuffs designed to shape me into their version of success the bookstore is short staffed I said already turning to leave and I need the hours well Mom s at least take some leftover home I hate thinking of you eating alone in that tiny apartment I didn't tell her that my tiny apartment was My Sanctuary a space
filled with books art and peace a place where I could write without judgment dream Without Limits the next morning I stopped at Pete's corner store for my usual coffee Pete a grandfather figure who' been running the shop for 40 years greeted me with unusual excitement Madison did you check your ticket i' blinked confused then I remembered the lottery ticket I'd bought 2 days ago a silly impulse purchase with my last $5 when the jackpot had hit record numbers not yet I pulled the crumped ticket from my wallet what were the winning numbers Pete's eyes sparkled
check the news sweetheart I pulled out my phone finding the lottery website the numbers of appeared on screen 7 13 24 31 42 53 my hands started shaking I looked at my ticket then back at the screen Pete my voice was barely a whisper I think I won he grinned I know you did honey I watched them draw your numbers live last night all six matching numbers you just won $97 million the world seemed to tilt sideways I grabbed the counter for support sit down before you fall down Pete guided me to a chair deep
breaths this is big news but you need to be smart now don't tell anyone yet get a lawyer first and For Heaven's Sake sign that ticket with trembling fingers I signed the back of the ticket Pete locked it in his safe made me drink some water and called his daughter a respected Financial attorney Caroline will meet you in an hour he said she'll help you do this right I nodded still dazed Pete my family he squeezed my shoulder we'll find out some enough but right now this is your moment don't let anyone take it from
you as I waited for Caroline my phone buzzed a text from Emma family brunch tomorrow to discuss wedding plans wear something nice for once and try not to be late like always I stared at the message thinking of her Mansion her perfect life our parents endless praise for 20 years I'd been the family afterthought the daughter they'd written off as impractical unsuccessful ful lost now I had 97 million reasons to prove them wrong I texted back sorry can't make it I have something more important to do for once I wasn't lying 3 weeks later I
sat in my new lawyer's office signing the final papers to claim my winnings Caroline Pete's daughter had been invaluable helping me set up trusts investment accounts and Ironclad privacy protections remember she said reviewing the documents once we submit these your name becomes public record are you ready for that I thought of the changes I'd already made I'd quietly resigned from the bookstore leaving my manager a generous check to help hire and train my replacement I'd bought a beautiful but modest house in a quiet neighborhood using a trust to keep my name off public records and
I'd started the groundwork for my own Publishing Company determined to help other Overlook writers find their voices I'm ready I said firmly the next morning my face was splashed across every news Outlet in Boston local Rider wins $97 Million Lottery jackpot bookstore employee becomes multi-millionaire overnight Madison Bennett claims record-breaking prize my phone exploded with messages old classmates distant relatives forgotten acquaintances all suddenly remembering my existence but the messages I was waiting for came last first Emma oh G Maddie why didn't you tell us call me immediately then Mom Madison Elizabeth Bennett how could you keep
this from your family we're coming over Ry H now where are you living finally dad your mother is hysterical call us this instant I turned off my phone and poured myself a cup of tea settling into my new home office through the window I could see the garden where I plan to create a reading Nook the morning sun painted everything in soft gold making the moment feel almost magical my doorbell rang through the security camera another of Caroline's suggestions I saw them my parents and Emma standing on my porch Emma was dressed like she was
heading to a photo shoot while my mother kept smoothing her designer dress nervously I took a deep breath and opened the door Madison my mother burst out we've been so worried why haven't you answered our calls and how did you afford this house the lottery money hasn't even been released yet and hello mother I cut her off calmly would you like to come in they filed into my living room taking in the tasteful furnishings and wall-to-wall bookshelves with barely concealed surprise well Emma said running a finger along the Shelf I suppose now you can finally
move to a better neighborhood maybe near my new house there's a lovely little Colonial for sale only 4 million I'm happy here I interrupted but thank you for your concern Maddie darling my mother leaned forward her voice dripping with honey you have to understand our shock this is lifechanging money you'll need guidance proper financial advice your father knows several excellent wealth managers I have a team of advisers I said and it's Madison not Maddie don't be difficult Emma snapped we're trying to help God knows you've never been good with money like that time I loaned
you $10,000 for your starter business I asked quietly the one you never paid back Emma's face flushed that was different I needed what you needed was to take responsibility I stood up my voice steady something none of you have ever expected from her now see here my father finally spoke his face reading we've always supported you both equally I laughed actually laughed equally you bought Emma a mansion for her wedding you paid for her business School her first car her perfect wedding what did you give me for graduation a lecture about practical career choices because
we worried about you my mother cried your choices were so impractical we just wanted you wanted me to be like Emma I finished the perfect daughter the sensible one well guess what my impractical choice is let me here my job at the bookstore the one you all look down on is where I bought the winning ticket and now you can finally have a real life Emma said as if she was being generous we can help you invest get you into the right Social Circles no the room fell silent what do you mean no my father
demanded I walked to my desk and pulled out three envelopes Emma this is a cashier's check for $110,000 repaying the loan you've conveniently forgotten about I handed her the first envelope Mom Dad this is a check for 15,000 the total of every gift every payment every contribution you've ever made to my life I've kept careful records They stared at the envelopes speechless the third envelope I continued contains documents showing I've already established my own publishing company created a charitable foundation for literacy programs and set up my investments with one of the top firms in the
country I didn't need your guidance then and I certainly don't need it now but but we're family my mother whispered yes we are and family should love unconditionally support dreams not squash them celebrate differences not try to erase them I walked to the door and opened it now if you'll excuse me I have a meeting with my Foundation board about funding new libraries and underserved communities you're making a mistake my father said stiffly you need us I smiled feeling lighter than I had in years no Dad you need me and that's the real reason you're
here isn't it Emma stood up her face a mask of Fury you think you're better than us now because of some lucky numbers no Emma I always was you just never saw it as they left my mother turned back tears in her eyes Madison please we made a terrible mistake we see that now can't we start over I looked at her really looked at her and saw for the first time how small she seemed how all of them seemed trapped in their narrow view of success and worth maybe someday I said softly but not today
I closed the door on their protests walking back to my office on my desk sat the manuscript of my novel a story about a girl finding her voice in a world that tried to silence her it was time to write the next chapter 6 months later the launch party for Bennett publishing house was everything I dreamed of we transformed an old Warehouse into a magical space filled with books art and possibility local authors whose Works we'd signed mingled with literary agents and journalists while kids from our literacy program proudly showed off their own stories in
a special display area Pete Stood Beside Me beeing Like a proud father look at what you've built Madison and not a penny wasted on showing off he was right well I could have easily bought a gleaming downtown office tower i' chosen to renovate this historic building instead creating a space that felt like home to writers and readers alike the millions I'd won had been carefully invested in education programs in supporting new Authors in building something meaningful my phone buzzed a text from Emma saw your company in the Business Journal must be nice having everything handed
to you bitto James lost his job we could use some family support right now I deleted the message without responding over the past months they tried everything guilt manipulation fake kindness and finally outright demands Emma's starter Mansion was apparently too small now Mom and Dad's Country Club membership needed renewal James's failed Investments needed covering I'd ignored them all Miss Bennett a young girl tubbed at my sleeve she was one of our literacy program students clutching a notebook will you read my story of course Sophie I led her to a quiet Corner sitting down at her
level what's it about a girl who finds a Magic Pen she said shily everything she writes comes true but she has to figure out what's really important to write about I smiled thinking how wisdom sometimes comes from the most unexpected places Madison I looked up my mother stood there looking uncomfortable in the Casual atmosphere she'd lost some of her polished Perfection the past months had been hard on them I knew dad's firm had lost several major clients Emma's perfect marriage was showing cracks and their Social Circle had begun to shrink as their resources dwindled Mom
this is a private event I know I had to talk to you she glanced at Sophie alone I turned to sopie why don't you show your story to Miss Sarah she's our children's book editor after Sophie scampered off I faced my mother well your father's company is failing she said bluntly Emma's house is being foreclosed everything's falling apart and you're here playing with children's stories I stood up anger flaring playing look around mom really look see those kids they're learning to love reading to believe in their own voices see those authors they're getting chances they
never had before I'm not playing I'm building something real but your family has never respected my choices I cut in even now you're not here because you care about what I've built you're here because you need money she flinched we're still your family are you I walked her over to our wall of success stories photos of children reading authors signing their first contracts Community programs making real change family celebrates each other's victories family supports each other's dreams when was the last time you asked about my novel my goals my happiness I I don't know exactly
I turned to face her the lottery didn't change who I am Mom it just gave me the freedom to stop seeking approval I was never going to get tears filled her eyes we were wrong I see that now but can't you forgive us forgiveness isn't the issue I said gently I forgave you months ago that's why I'm Not Angry Anymore but forgiveness doesn't mean letting people keep hurting you what do you want from us nothing that's the point I don't need anything from you anymore and until you can want a relationship with me that isn't
about money or status or your idea of success we don't have anything to discuss a commotion near the entrance caught my attention Emma had arrived with danad and James and to really I sighed you all came to Ambush me at my company's launch we're desperate Emma cried mascara running down her cheeks James lost everything in that investment scheme the bank is taking our house and Daddy's company is dying please Maddie you have to help us the room had gone quiet our guests tried to pretend they weren't watching the drama un fold I looked at my
family really looked at them dad gray and deflated without his usual power Emma designer clothes now slightly worn desperate for a bailout mom torn between pride and need no I said firmly no dad's voice cracked I'll make you all a different offer instead I pulled out my my phone pulling up some photos this is Carter Financial Services they're looking for experienced advisors with Community connections dad they've agreed to interview you for a senior position no guarantees but a fair shot I swiped to the next photo Emma the local Arts Center needs a fundraising coordinator with
your social skills and event planning experience you'd be perfect James my friend's construction company is hiring project managers real work Fair pay you you want us to work for other people Emma horrified I want you to earn your own way like I did build something real find out who you are without the fancy titles and borrowed money and if we refuse dad asked stiffly then you'll figure something else out but you won't get a dime from me to maintain the lifestyle that made us all so unhappy M stepped forward surprising me the Arts Center they
really think Emma would be good at fundraising yes because she is good at it when she's actually trying not just playing the perfect daughter Emma wiped her eyes smearing expensive mascara I don't know how to be anything else yes you do I took her hand the first time we touched in months you're smart capable and determined use those qualities for something meaningful instead of just appearances dad cleared his throat the position at Carter Financial when's the interview tomorrow at 10 don't wear your Rolex show them your experience not your ego one by one they nodded
not happy not grateful but perhaps thoughtful as they left Mom turned back your company it's really amazing Madison I'm sorry we never saw I know I said softly maybe someday you'll see me too after they were gone Pete appeared at my side you okay kiddo I looked around at my publishing house at the dreams being born the stories being told the lives being changed you know what Pete I really am Sophie came running back waving her notebook Miss Bennett M Sarah loved my story she said maybe someday it could be a real book I knelt
down beside her want to know a secret Sophie every real book starts with someone brave enough to tell tell their story like you like all of us later that night I sat in my garden reading Nook working on my novel my phone buzzed with a text from Emma I have an interview at the Art Center tomorrow any advice I smiled typing back be yourself your real self the lottery hadn't just given me Millions it had given me the chance to show my family and myself what real wealth looked like not the money in my bank
account but the courage to finally be exactly who I was meant to be and that was worth more than any number could measure
