Chapter 1

"Jade, tell Mom, how much money have you saved?"

My mother's voice on the phone was laced with a probing curiosity.

I glanced at the numbers on my banking app: $5,243,657.89.

But I didn't tell her the truth. After a moment of silence, I said, "Mom, just a little over fifty thousand, I guess."

"Only fifty thousand? You've been working for ten years, how is that even possible?" My mother's tone was thick with suspicion.

Three days later, my doorbell rang. My parents stood at the threshold, their faces grim.

"Your brother needs to buy a house for his wedding. We've already put in all our savings, but we're still short a huge amount. You *have* to contribute."

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My name is Jade. I'm 32 and work as a Senior Financial Manager at an international firm in New York.

Ten years ago, right after college graduation, I chose to stay and build my life here, rarely going back home.

My parents and my older brother, Leo, and his family live back in our hometown, a smaller town out of state.

Leo is four years my senior and works in administration at the local hospital. He's always been the pride of the family.

Growing up, I was accustomed to the role of the "obedient little sister," while Leo was the "successful son."

This phone call came suddenly, but it wasn't entirely unexpected.

Two months ago, Leo told our family he was getting married. His fiancée's family was well-off, but they insisted on him buying the house outright.

While property prices back home weren't as insane as in major global cities, a decent wedding home still cost over two million.

My parents had pooled all their savings and even sold off an old property, but they were still significantly short.

I knew they'd come to me eventually.

"Jade, working in New York for so many years, you must have saved a fortune, right?" My mother's voice was both a question and a statement of fact.

I didn't answer directly. "Mom, New York is expensive. Rent alone is thousands every month. I haven't saved much."

"You're single, not buying a house, not getting married. You must have *some* savings, shouldn't you?" My mother's tone edged with discontent.

I knew I couldn't dodge this topic forever, so I gave a vague figure. "Around fifty thousand, give or take."

The disbelieving silence on the other end was palpable, but she didn't call me out on it.

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