My mom was critically ill, in a moment of terminal lucidity, she made a will in the ICU. "Ms. Lewis, you want to make a will, right?" "Yes, while I'm still clear-headed... I, I want to explain the inheritance issue." Mother took a deep breath. Although her voice was weak, every word was articulated clearly. Lawyer Lee took out a pen and notebook, his gaze behind the glasses becoming serious: "Okay, Ms. Lewis, please go ahead." "Besides the house in our hometown, I still have 1.48 million in my bank card." This sentence exploded in the ward like a bomb. I looked at my mother in disbelief. When did she save 1.48 million?? She was a retired old lady with a monthly pension of just over 2,000. "Leave the house in our hometown to Felix." My brother smiled slightly upon hearing this, as if expecting it. That house was worth 2 million. "As for... the sav-savings... also leave to Felix. My dowry jewelry in the old house goes to Sarah." Mother finished speaking tremblingly, but her tone was very firm. The air in the ward seemed to freeze. I felt my breathing stop for a moment. I stared blankly at my mother, ears buzzing, as if all sounds became distant and unreal. "Mom..." "Wh-what did you say?" I opened my mouth, my voice so dry I could hardly make a sound. Mother's gaze still lingered on Felix, as if she didn't hear my voice. Her fingers gently stroked her son's hand, eyes full of tenderness and pity. "It hasn't been easy for Felix these years, struggling outside, suffering a lot." Mother's voice was weak but firm, "Leaving this house and savings to him is a small token from me as a mother." My brother was also hit by the unexpected huge surprise! Eyes shining, he quickly hugged mother excitedly, saying emotionally: "Mom, Mom, I don't want it... You have to live a long life, your son hasn't been filial to you yet." I felt my heart being clenched hard by something, breathing became difficult. I looked at my mother's pale face, suddenly feeling extremely strange. From childhood to adulthood, mother's gaze had never stayed on me for so long, let alone speaking to me in such a gentle tone. "Mom, what about me?" I finally couldn't help but speak, voice trembling slightly: "I am also your daughter." Only then did mother turn to look at me, but her eyes lacked the warmth I expected. Her gaze was still sharp, even with a trace of impatience. "Sarah, you have been sensible since childhood, I don't need to worry about you." Mother's voice was cold. "You have a stable job and good income, can take care of yourself. Felix is different; he needs this house." I felt my eyes heating up, throat blocked by something. I wanted to say something, but found my voice choked up. "Ms. Lewis, are you sure you want to distribute it like this?" Lawyer Lee pushed his glasses, tone calm and professional: "According to the law, children are equal in inheritance rights. If you don't have a special reason, it might cause some legal disputes." Mother's eyes suddenly became sharp. She stared at Lawyer Lee, tone carrying unquestionable firmness: "This is my decision. Felix is my son. Leaving the house and savings to him is only right and proper." Felix stood aside, with a complex expression on his face. He looked at mother, then at me, seeming to want to say something, but finally just lowered his head and held mother's hand tightly. "Mom, don't say that." He finally spoke, voice somewhat hoarse: "Sister is also your daughter, I..." "Felix, you don't need to say anything." Mother interrupted him, tone carrying a trace of exhaustion: "This is my decision. No one can change it." I felt my heart sinking bit by bit. Looking at mother's familiar yet strange face, I suddenly realized I never truly walked into her heart. Growing up, no matter how hard I tried, mother's gaze always stayed on my brother. I once thought as long as I was excellent enough, mother would see my existence one day. But now, I finally understand, some things are destined not to change. "Mom, I know." I finally spoke, voice calm enough to surprise even myself: "Don't worry, I won't fight for it." Mother seemed surprised by my answer, a complex emotion flashing in her eyes. She opened her mouth, seeming to want to say something, but finally just sighed lightly. "Sarah, don't blame mom." Her voice suddenly softened, with a trace of exhaustion and helplessness: "Mom just... just hopes Felix can live a little better." I didn't answer, just nodded silently. I felt my eyes heating up, but I held back the tears. I knew, at this moment, I must be strong. Lawyer Lee looked at me, then at mother, and finally recorded the content of mother's will in his notebook. The atmosphere in the ward became heavy and oppressive, only the ticking of instruments sounded exceptionally clear in the silence. "Ms. Lewis, I have recorded the content of the will." Lawyer Lee closed the notebook, tone calm: "If you have no other requests, I will handle the relevant procedures as soon as possible." Mother nodded, showing a tired smile: "Okay, trouble you." Felix stood aside, expression joyful yet complex. He looked at mother, then at me, seeming to want to say something. But finally just lowered his head, holding mother's hand tightly. "Mom, rest well." He said softly, voice choking slightly: "I will always be with you." Mother's eyes softened. She gently patted her son's hand, showing a gratified smile. I stood aside, watching this scene silently. I felt my heart being stabbed hard by something, the pain almost suffocating me. I knew I had lost the last trace of hope. "Mom, I'm going out first. You rest well." I said softly, voice carrying exhaustion. Mother didn't answer, just nodded lightly. Her gaze still lingered on my brother, as if she had forgotten my existence. I turned and walked out of the ward, gently closing the door. The lights in the corridor were dazzling and cold. I leaned against the wall, taking a deep breath, trying to calm my emotions. Chapter 2 [Mom, why are you always like this? Brother is your child, am I not?] [Why do you always favor him? You give him whatever he wants, but what about me? Taking care of you in old age, serving you hand and foot. Not to mention your inheritance, I can't even get a word of concern!] I stood in the corridor, trembling all over, tears swirling in my eyes. How I wanted to rush into the ward to question my mother. But I couldn't... Thinking of my mother sitting on the sickbed, my heart was full of grievance and confusion. I didn't understand why, since childhood, mother always pampered my brother in every way, but was always cold to me. I remember when I went to school with my brother as a child. Every morning, mother would prepare a sumptuous breakfast for my brother, while I could only eat some leftovers casually. Once, I couldn't help asking my mother: "Mom, why does brother have eggs and milk, while I only have steamed buns?" Mother replied without lifting her head: "You are the older sister, you should yield to your brother. He is still growing and needs nutrition." I lowered my head, silently gnawing on the hard dry bun, heart full of grievance. After entering junior high, my grades were always good, ranking among the top in the grade every exam. I thought as long as I was excellent enough, mother would look at me more. But that was not the case. Once, I ran home excitedly with a full-mark test paper, wanting to share my joy with my mother. "Mom, I got full marks in this exam!" I said excitedly. Mother was peeling an apple for my brother, gave a "hmm" without lifting her head, then continued to hand the peeled apple to my brother: "Felix, eat more fruit, it's good for your body." I stood there, the test paper in my hand gradually becoming heavy. Watching mother gently wipe my brother's mouth, my heart felt sour. Since then, I never actively shared my grades with my mother again. Chapter 3 After graduating from high school, I was admitted to a key university. I thought after leaving home, I could get rid of mother's partiality and start a new life. But unexpectedly, mother's indifference to me didn't change because of distance. Every time I called home, mother always hung up after a few hurried sentences, as if I was just an insignificant person. And my brother Felix, although his grades were poor, mother always worried about him. After Felix failed the college entrance exam, mother sought connections everywhere and spent a lot of money to find him a private university. Knowing this, my heart felt even more unbalanced. I didn't understand why after working hard for so many years, I still couldn't get mother's approval. After graduating from university, I found a decent job, and life gradually stabilized. I thought I could finally get rid of mother's shadow and start an independent life. But unexpectedly, a phone call from mother broke my peace. "Sarah, your brother is getting married, the family doesn't have enough money, can you help him?" Mother's voice came from the phone, tone carrying a trace of pleading. I held the phone, heart feeling bitter. I knew mother would never actively look for me unless it was for my brother. "Mom, I have my own life too. I can pay part of brother's wedding money, but not all." I tried to make my voice sound calm. Mother was silent for a while, then said coldly: "You are the older sister, you should help your brother more. His marriage is a big deal, you can't be so selfish." My heart felt like being pricked by needles. I didn't understand why mother always put my brother's needs first, while my feelings were never valued. In the end, I still paid 150,000 for my brother's betrothal gift and banquet. But unexpectedly, the bride had been married to my brother for less than a year. She despised my brother for being useless and unable to earn money, so she divorced and ran away. And my 150,000 also went down the drain. That was my hard-earned money saved hundred by hundred. Chapter 4 To take care of mother, I also brought her to my side these years. She stayed for ten years. I tried my best to give the best I could. When it was most difficult, my husband and I would rather save money living in a basement to rent a small master bedroom with good lighting and ventilation for mother. But mother still complained often. I could only work harder, often working overtime until late at night. Whenever I opened the door, I would always see mother sitting on the sofa sleepily. Then nagging at me: "Always waking me up late at night... sleep earlier in the future, don't disturb me..." I could only apologize repeatedly. Then go to the kitchen to grab a bite and sleep. Although work was hard. But being able to eat meals made by mother, my heart still felt sweet. This was one of the few moments I felt mother's care. But unexpectedly, a year ago. Mother suddenly fell ill. I also rushed to the hospital every day. The hospital corridor smelled of disinfectant. I sat on the bench outside the ward, heart full of complex emotions. Looking at the thin and weak mother on the sickbed, my heart felt sour. Although mother was always indifferent to me, seeing her lying on the sickbed, I still couldn't help feeling heartache. "Mom, how do you feel?" I asked softly. Mother opened her eyes, looked at me, then said lightly: "I'm fine, you don't need to worry about me." My heart ached like being pricked by needles. I didn't understand why mother was still so cold to me at this time. Just then, brother Felix rushed to the hospital. "Mom, how are you? I heard you were sick and rushed back immediately!" Felix rushed to the bedside as soon as he entered, tone full of anxiety. Seeing Felix, mother immediately smiled: "Felix, you came? Mom is fine, don't worry." I stood aside, watching mother's gentleness to my brother, heart feeling sour. Her hand gently patted Felix's hand, eyes full of maternal love, as if he was her only concern. And I, standing here, was like an outsider, even breathing seemed redundant. I silently withdrew from the ward, standing in the corridor, tears flowing unconsciously. Chapter 5 Three days later, mother left, very peacefully, as if she just fell asleep. Her face was calm, mouth even carrying a faint smile, as if finally letting go of all concerns. Before passing away, she held Felix's hand tightly, rambling a lot: Urging him to take good care of himself, work hard, start a family early... And to me standing aside, she just glanced lightly, lips moved, but finally said nothing. I ultimately didn't wait for half a word of instruction from mother. Not even calling my name once. After the funeral ended. I returned to my hometown disheartened. In an inconspicuous corner, found my mother's old dowry jewelry box. I opened it, greeted by a burst of dust and moldy smell. Looking at these dowry items mother once stroked, My heart felt even more uncomfortable, just wanted to get rid of them quickly. Never wanted to remember mother again. And my brother looked at the worn box in my hand. Somewhat gloatingly said: "Sis, don't worry, I won't fight you for this!" "This is the thing Mom valued most. No matter if it's worth a few cents, you have to keep it well~" I looked at him lightly, saying nothing. Don't know since when, the brother who loved following behind my butt calling "sister" "sister", also became so snobbish. Finally, I took the jewelry box to a jewelry pawnshop. My voice was a bit hoarse: "Please help me see how much these things are worth, pawn them all." The clerk took the jewelry box, observed carefully for a while, wiping and tapping, then suddenly showed a surprised expression. Then changed several old masters back and forth. Finally an old master asked with a trace of uncertainty in his tone: "Madam, are you sure you want to pawn all of them?" I nodded weakly, just wanting to dispose of them quickly. The clerk nodded, then turned the pawn value amount towards me. My legs went weak, almost couldn't stand steady, holding the counter, brain buzzing, as if the whole world was spinning. Why... why is it like this? My heart tightened inexplicably, and the clerk's next words made me break down instantly!
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