I used my savings from working for years to buy a retirement home with a yard for my mom in our hometown. To give her peace of mind, I put only her name on the deed. But the second month, this house was listed online by my sister for $50,000 below market price. Even the furniture I carefully selected was bundled as a free gift. I didn't make a sound. Instead, I found someone to buy the house directly and signed the contract. Then I called my mom: "Mom, God blessed us! We're finally rich! We're going to be millionaires!" Mom was confused: "What?" I deliberately lowered my voice and shouted excitedly: "It's that house I bought you! Insider news says a huge development project is taking over that area. The buyout compensation will be at least two million dollars!" Chapter 1 Browsing Facebook Marketplace on the weekend, I scrolled past a local house listing. "Owner selling directly! Charming house with a yard in Royal Garden community, 1000 sq ft, 2 bedrooms, near shopping mall. Urgent sale for $100k! Serious buyers only, act fast!" I froze. This community... I just bought a house with a yard for my mom there. I argued with the agent until my mouth was dry to get it down to $150k, excluding renovation and furniture. Same community, same layout, the market price is at least $160k. $100k? Crazy. I clicked into the post, swiped through the photos, and my breath hitched. The living room was modern minimalist, beige sofa, wooden coffee table, a landscape painting on the wall. It was exactly the same as the retirement home I gave my mom. Maybe just a coincidence. I clicked the chat box: "Is there any problem with the house? Why is it so cheap?" The reply came instantly: "Absolutely no problem! The layout and Feng Shui are amazing! Eco-friendly materials used for renovation. If I didn't need money urgently, I wouldn't sell it. Title deed available, clear ownership!" Immediately after, a photo of the title deed was sent. Although key information was blurred, I recognized the owner's name. Susan Zhao. My mom's name. But my mom doesn't know how to use these apps at all. So who is selling the house? I took a deep breath, clicked into the seller's profile, and scrolled down. The content made me cold all over: "Like-new automatic washing machine, mom thinks too many functions, hard to use, $200." "Brand massage chair, used once, mom says uncomfortable, $400." "55-inch LCD TV, brand new in box, mom thinks too big and wastes electricity, $500 urgent sale." Everything I bought for my mom over the past three years. At the bottom was a scarf. Dark gray cashmere, hand-knitted by me over three sleepless nights last winter. When I mailed it home, Mom said on the phone: "This scarf is warm and stylish, I love it, my daughter is so talented." Now it's priced at $10 with free shipping, note says: Mom thinks the color is too old-fashioned, told me to sell it. So, this account belongs to my sister, Hailey. I stared at the screen, stomach churning. Just then, the seller sent another message: "Can show the house today. If convenient, let's schedule a time? My mom wants to deal with this house ASAP." I stared at this line and suddenly laughed. Laughing and laughing, my eyes got a little sour. Chapter 2 In the three years I've been working, the frequency of my mom asking me to buy things was ridiculously high. "Holly, the fridge at home isn't cooling. Fixing it costs hundreds, why not buy a new one?" "The washing machine keeps leaking, the neighbor downstairs complained several times." "Aunt Wang's daughter bought her a skincare set, heard it fades spots. Mom's face has more and more spots..." Every time, I placed the order instantly. My best friend Chloe half-jokingly said: "Why does your mom only ask you, not your sister? Isn't Hailey working in your hometown?" I explained with a smile back then: "I'm out of town, can't take care of the family. Hailey takes care of Mom more daily, so as the older sister, I should spend more money." Not only that, every month when I got paid, I would transfer $800 to Hailey to help with household expenses. On holidays, the red envelope for my mom was never less than $1,000. But I lived in a shared apartment, ate cheap meals, and couldn't bear to buy two new pieces of clothing a year. Late last year, Mom hinted that her friends in the village were all moved to the city by their children, and only she still lived in the old house. So I took out all my savings and bought her a small house with a yard in the city. Last month when I went back, I handed the deed to Mom, her eyes were red. I thought she was truly moved. It seems I was flattering myself. Just then, the seller sent another message: "Hey, are you there? If you can decide today, I'll drop another $5k. $95k and it's yours!" I exited the chat, called Chloe, and asked her to view the house for me. Half an hour later, Chloe sent a voice message: "Holy crap! It really is your sister! She showed me the house! Kept urging me to sign, saying several groups are waiting!" "What did you say?" "As you taught, I said I have to discuss with my husband and give her an answer tomorrow." Chloe paused, "Holly, what do you plan to do? Go home and tear them apart?" I was silent for a few seconds. Tear them apart? That's too cheap for them. I worked overtime, saved money to buy things for the family. My mom always said: "Holly, Mom doesn't care about your money, just wants you to come home more often." But every time I took leave to go home, she was at the Mahjong parlor. The food I cooked, she said wasn't as good as the takeout Hailey ordered. The clothes I bought, she said were old-fashioned, not as tasteful as Hailey's pick. What about Hailey? Community college grad for three years, changed five jobs, the longest one lasted eight months. Monthly salary $800, but using the latest iPhone, carrying designer bags. I asked where the money came from, she giggled: "Boyfriend gave it." Now I know, what boyfriend? It was me, the sucker sister. I took a deep breath and told Chloe, "Tomorrow go sign the contract. $95k, I'll transfer to you." "Are you crazy? Buying your own house?" "Not crazy." I said, "I want them to know, some advantages come with a price!" The contract signing went smoothly. After Hailey got the money, the smile on her face couldn't be hidden: "Sister, you are so straightforward! If I didn't need money urgently, I wouldn't sell this house!" Chloe asked her: "Urgent need for money, is there something big happening?" Hailey lowered her voice: "I'm preparing to buy a new house! A new development in the suburbs, the environment is great! This money is just enough for the down payment!" Chapter 3 "What about your mom?" "Oh, my mom loves me the most, she agrees to whatever I say." Hailey said proudly, "This house was bought by my sister for my mom anyway. Mom said her things are mine, I can handle them however I want." When Chloe repeated this on the phone, she was shaking with anger: "Holly, did you hear that? Your mom is biased to the Pacific Ocean!" "Heard your sister is pregnant, the guy's family has no money to buy a house for marriage, your mom is anxious, that's why she's selling the house in a hurry!" I held the phone, silent, heart completely cold. I wondered why Mom sold the house at such a huge discount. Turns out she was rushing to cash out for Hailey's dowry/wedding house. A week later, I found a stock photo of a leaking wall and sent it to Hailey's account. "Hey? The house is leaking, soaked the neighbor's wall. Neighbor asks for $5,000 compensation, you have to pay this, right?" Less than three minutes after sending, Hailey exploded. "Are you sick?! The house was fine when handed to you! How could a newly renovated house leak! You must have left the tap on yourself!" "I tell you, the house has been transferred, written clearly in black and white! Now even if the house collapses, it has nothing to do with me! Don't try to scam me!" After speaking, she blocked me. I smiled. This guarantee was exactly what I wanted. Switching back to WeChat/Messenger, I called my mom. She picked up after seven or eight rings: "Holly? What's up? Mom is playing cards." "Mom, are you used to living in the house?" The other end was quiet for a moment. "It's okay." Mom's tone was unnatural, "Just, the first floor is too damp, Mom's rheumatic legs can't stand it." "When buying, didn't you say you liked the yard for planting vegetables and sunbathing?" "That was Mom not knowing better." She raised her voice, "Living here I realized, first floor has many mosquitoes and is noisy. Aunt Wang's daughter bought her an apartment with an elevator, 16th floor, quiet and good view." I tightened my grip on the phone: "Since you don't like it, sell it. The market is good now, can sell for over $150k. Sell it and change to an elevator apartment for you." "Don't!" She interrupted urgently, "Moved everything in, moving out is so troublesome!" "But aren't you uncomfortable living there?" "Just make do." She complained, "Holly, not that Mom wants to scold you, but you are not careful. Buying a house is a big thing, didn't ask Mom's opinion. Look at Hailey, bought me Essential Oils, I sleep much better. She buys everything right into Mom's heart." I almost laughed out loud. A $150k house can't compare to Hailey's cheap supplements. "You're right." I softened my tone, "I also feel this house is lacking." Mom immediately perked up: "Right! I think so too! Mom went to see a house with Hailey two days ago, three-story villa, big yard, only over $800k! First floor living room, second floor me, third floor Hailey, perfect!" "$800k?" I pretended to be troubled, "I don't have that much money." "You can get a loan!" She said matter-of-factly, "Your salary is so high, pay it back slowly over 20 or 30 years. Mom is old, just want to live in a better house. Have face when old friends ask. The one you bought now is embarrassing to mention." The last bit of hope broke completely at this moment. "Mom." I whispered, "Actually, I bought this second-hand house for a reason." "What reason?" "I got insider news, this community will be bought out for a government project next year. Compensation based on area, at least two million dollars." Chapter 4 Mom's voice trembled: "Two million?" I continued, "Yeah, otherwise why do you think I insisted on buying this house? It's all for the buyout money. If I knew you didn't like it, I would have waited until after the demolition to buy you a new one." A thud came from the other end, like something fell. Followed by Hailey's suppressed exclamation: "Mom! What are you doing! My new phone!" Mom's voice was urgent and shaky: "It's all your fault! If you weren't in a hurry to marry, would I sell the house?! Now it's over! Two million gone!" Hailey was anxious too: "How would I know about the buyout! You said yourself this broken house is uncomfortable!" "If I didn't say that, how would your sister buy me a villa!" I pretended not to hear, asking with concern: "Mom, the house is being bought out, aren't you happy?" "Happy..." Her voice was dry, "Holly, is this news reliable?" "Insider news, 100% reliable." I said, "The buyout office is coming next month for survey. Keep the deed safe, can't sign the agreement without it." She was incoherent, "Where did I put the deed, have to find it..." "You have to find it quickly." I urged, "Sign the agreement, money comes down fast. Then, let alone a suburban villa, you can buy a penthouse downtown." With that, I hung up. Almost simultaneously, a new message popped up on Facebook Marketplace: "Is the house sold to you still available? I'll buy it back with extra money! $10k! $20k extra is fine!" "Please! That house is very important to my mom!" I typed slowly: "What's wrong? I'm preparing to move in tomorrow." Typing indicator flashed for a long time. "To be honest, this house was a retirement home my sister bought for my mom. Lots of furniture inside was carefully selected by my sister. Although not valuable, it's my sister's heart. My mom regrets it now, says she's sorry to my sister, can't sleep all night." "If my sister knows I sold the house, she will definitely disown me. Have mercy, sell the house back to me. I'll add $30k, buy it back for $125k, okay?" My stomach churned. Now you know it's sister's heart? Why didn't you think about it when selling? I deliberately didn't reply. Three minutes later, Hailey got anxious. "Why are you like this? I added money! If you don't sell, I'll make a scene every day! Throw paint! Make your life miserable!" I screenshotted her previous message "Even if the house collapses it has nothing to do with me" and sent it back. "Try throwing paint? I'll call the police immediately. And print 100 copies of you selling the house for cash to post at your community gate. Let everyone judge who is more shameful." Hailey typed for a long time, finally squeezing out: "How much do you want to sell?" I thought about it and quoted a number: "$160k. Not a penny less." I thought she would bargain. Unexpectedly, next second: "Deal! $160k it is! When to transfer title?" I raised an eyebrow. Seems two million dollars is worth them bleeding heavily. The second transfer was also done by Chloe for me. Just finished, I saw Hailey's post on Facebook. A photo of the villa sales office, caption: "Finally going to have my own little home, thanks to Mom's love~" Mom commented below: "My daughter deserves the best." I smiled and called my mom. Rang for a long time before she answered: "Mom, found the deed?" "Found it." Her voice was guilty, "Holly, Mom likes that house more and more, don't want to change. Don't bother anymore." "But it's first floor, damp and noisy, drains clog easily." "Mom isn't afraid!" She said decisively, "As long as my daughter bought it, Mom likes it!" I could almost imagine her expression. Feigning calm, but eyes full of uncontrollable expectation. Two million. Enough for her to brag for the rest of her life. "Mom." I said softly, "There's something I need to apologize to you for." "What?" "I made a mistake," I sighed, "The one being bought out is actually the neighboring community. The house bought for you is not in the range." Silence on the other end for a second. Then, Hailey's hysterical scream came: "Holly! You dare play us?!"
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