After cutting ties with my family, I'm doing better than all of you — Novel

About

In a world where family ties suffocate rather than support, Georgia Coleman’s return home is anything but warm. She thought she could buy her way back into their hearts with the money she saved over years of struggle, but her family’s disdain cuts deeper than any financial transaction. As she stands on the brink of an engagement to the wealthy Colin Delgado, the shadows of her past loom large, threatening to unravel the fragile peace she’s managed to create.

Each family gathering is a battlefield, where laughter rings hollow and every compliment is a veiled insult. Georgia grapples with her own demons, battling depression and the suffocating expectations of a family that has long since turned their backs on her. Can she navigate this treacherous landscape, or will the weight of their judgment crush her spirit?

As jealousy ignites between her and her sister Caroline, and Colin's presence complicates old wounds, Georgia must confront the reality of her choices. With just a few days left until her engagement, will she find the strength to redefine her worth, or will she succumb to the darkness that whispers of escape? In a twisted tale of love and loyalty, what price is too high for a chance at happiness?

After cutting ties with my family, I'm doing better than all of youChapter 1

On the eve of my engagement, I handed over a payroll card with $300,000 in savings to my family with both hands.

Mom counted the zeros without even lifting her eyelids, then let out a snort of laughter.

"You've calculated this pretty precisely."

My chest tightened. "What do you mean?"

"You bring back this little bit of money and want to play the hero. Retirement, medical bills—are you planning to just dump all that and never care again?"

She flung the card into my face, eyes full of wariness and disgust.

"Not like your sister. She didn't want a single dollar and just went with someone—that's real character. Not like your cold-blooded scheming, using money to buy out family ties. Stop always throwing money at people like it proves how capable you are. You reek of it."

The sharp edge sliced the corner of my eye. Blood ran down my cheek.

I covered the wound and slowly bent to pick up the card.

It wasn't like that.

The truth was, I had severe depression. That $300,000 was the retirement money I was leaving them—because I wasn't planning to live past this winter.