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When school and work wore me down,I’d watch clips of Mom sighing and whining.
Instantly,I’d feel a sense of relief.
If I didn’t work hard,I’d be their punching bag.So why slack off?
By June,summer break hit.I didn’t go home,using my savings to rent a place and find more jobs.
Mom called endlessly,demanding I return or send money.I dodged,claiming I was helping a professor and hadn’t earned enough for tuition.
By September,I paid my tuition fees all on my own.
While Rachel was at her prenatal class,I brought my roommate’s sister,Jessica,to see her.
I’d been busy with tuition,but now I had time to“drop in”on Rachel.
Jessica,a silver-tongued insurance agent with a decade of top sales,was my secret weapon.
On the way there,I briefed her on Rachel and her boss’s dynamic.
“Got it,”Jessica said.“Her boss is loaded.I’ve got policies for every wallet—I’ll land a big sale and cut you in.As for Rachel,a regular worker who loves to flex?I’ll pitch her something affordable…”
“No,”I cut in.“Pitch her the most expensive policy,non-refunded.”
“Dose she have money to burn?”Jessica asked.
I smiled.“No,but Mom gave her a $20,000 dowry,and she can squeeze her parents for more.”
Jessica grinned.“You’ve got a grudge,huh?No wonder you called last week,telling me to bring every single form!”
I didn’t elaborate.My past life’s horrors wouldn’t make sense to her.
“My family needs this shake-up,and you’ve got the products.Win-win,”I said.
Jessica,sharp,dropped it.
At the parking lot,I acted like we weren’t together,heading out first.
I reminded her to record everything,in case Rachel back out later.
I found Rachel in the plaza,walking with her boss.
Her belly was barely showing;her boss’s was seven or eight months along.
I greeted them warmly.
Rachel,surprised,asked why I was there.
I lied,saying I was washing dishes at a nearby diner,brushing it off.
Her boss commended my work ethic.
Rachel scoffed,“Sis,degrees don’t mean much.Look at her—top college,still washing plates.”
“I’d rather go hungry than do that kind of work.”
Her boss frowned.“That’s harsh.Education’s a long-term investment…”
I smoothed it over.“Rachel’s right—I’ve been a failure.But she’s different.Everyone says her pregnancy is blessed.A Leo baby’s bound for greatness,making millions!”
This flattered her boss,who rubbed her belly.“True,Leo kids generally have better fortunes than Virgos. But my baby’s the real deal!Rachel’s?She’d need a C-section at seven months,and no doctor would risk it for safety.”
“She’s stuck with a Virgo baby.”
Rachel’s face twisted with rage.Why should her boss get to have a “perfect” Leo baby while she was seemingly doomed?
I signaled Jessica,who approached with a stack of files.
