My Wealthy Sister Donated One Dollar to Me

1
Its been three years since my sister Victoria cut me out of her life, blocked my number, and erased me from her world.
Today, she donated a single dollar to my LifeFund page and left this comment:
Lung cancer, huh? Let me know when you actually die. Ill throw a party.
Three years ago, Leo the charity case shes sponsored since high school accused me of stealing his scholarship. Victoria pulled me out of college instantly.
I will always be your safety net, Caleb, but stealing what isnt yours has consequences!
We fought until she pointed at the door. Dont come back until youve learned your lesson. Ill break that stubborn streak if its the last thing I do!
After that, she treated Leo like royalty. Every job I found mysteriously vanished, leaving me to survive on scavenging.
I stared at her comment until the words blurred into a cruel line.
Then I called the cemetery plot seller.
Save me the cheapest one. Ill send the deposit tomorrow.
Her dollar was just enough to meet the withdrawal minimum. I was finally going to give her what she wanted.
Youd better move fast, son. These plots are in high demand, you know, the cemetery owner said, his voice a sigh over the phone. He didnt need to say it outright; no money, no deal.
I couldnt blame him.
Id visited the cemetery half a dozen times over the last year, but the prices were always too steep. Every penny I had went to medication that barely touched the pain. Each visit was a desperate hope that a cheaper plot had opened up, a bargain bin for the dying.
Every time the owner asked which one I wanted, Id mumble the same excuse, my face burning with shame.
Ill Ill bring my family back to look next time.
But this time, my voice was steady.
Dont worry. Im buying it for real this time.
After hanging up, the screen reverted to my LifeFund page. Victorias message stood out like a gash amidst the kind wishes from strangers.
Lung cancer, huh? Let me know when you actually die. Ill throw a party.
I read it again and again, a part of my mind refusing to believe those words could come from my own sister.
But because of her one-dollar donation, my balance hit the ten-thousand-dollar mark exactlythe minimum for withdrawal.
A bitter taste filled my mouth. I was about to hit the button when a new notification popped up.
A one-cent donation from Leo, her precious charity case. His message followed:
Come home, Caleb. Just apologize and Victoria will forgive you. You have to stop faking things like this.
My hand clenched around the phone, knuckles turning white.
But after a long, ragged breath, I said nothing. I just requested the withdrawal.
Buddy, the stray cat Id taken in, sensed my distress and began weaving between my ankles, his purr a low rumble. I knelt and stroked his head, then poured the last of his cheap kibble into his bowl.
He limped over, his crooked leg a constant reminder of his past, and started eating, glancing back at me every few bites.
His hopeful eyes sent a jolt of pain through me, throwing me back to the night Victoria threw me out.
Her voice, dripping with disgust, was a shard of ice in my memory.
If you wont admit youre wrong, then get out. I dont want you anymore!
Three years ago, Leo had made a grand show of giving me his university scholarship.
An hour later, he was crying to Victoria, telling her Id bribed a teacher to steal it from him.
He gambled his future on the certainty that she would believe him over me.
The one teacher who could have cleared my name had just retired and left for a trip around the world, completely unreachable.
Leos timing was perfect. He won his bet.
Victoria didnt even let me speak. She just called the school and withdrew my enrollment.
I shattered. I screamed. I raged.
She slapped me, hard.
Caleb, have I ever denied you anything? Why would you need to steal? Her voice trembled with fury. Do you have any idea what this scholarship meant to Leo? It was his only way out of poverty!
She demanded I apologize. I refused, my neck stiff with the indignation of the falsely accused.
So she threw me out.
I sat on the front steps all night, waiting. I thought she was just angry, that any minute the door would open and shed call me back inside.
But morning came, and she never did.
As I finally, hopelessly, turned to leave, I saw a man storm out of the house next door, holding a squirming cat by the scruff of its neck.
Meeeooww!
The cats shriek was cut short as he was slammed onto the pavement.
The mans face was a mask of disgustthe exact same look Victoria had given me.
Stupidest cat Ive ever seen. Climbs a tree and manages to break its own leg.
He kicked at the small, limp form. Get out of here. Im done with you!
My breath caught. His words echoed Victorias.
I rushed forward and scooped up the trembling creature. Its leg wasnt just broken; it felt like it had been deliberately snapped. I looked up to confront the man, but his door was already closed.
In that moment, I understood.
It didnt matter if the cat had done anything wrong. It didnt matter if I had.
When someone wants to throw you away, they dont need a reason.
I kept the cat and named him Buddy.
For three years, Victoria made my life a living hell. Every time I found a job, she found a way to get me fired. Eventually, I was left with nothing but scavenging. Buddys life downgraded with mine. Our apartments got smaller, his food got cheaper.
I posted an adoption ad online.
The money from LifeFund was for my grave. My illness was a lost cause anyway; I might as well grant my sisters wish and die.
But Buddy deserved a chance.
He would live for me.
I never expected the call I got two hours later, from a customer service rep at LifeFund.
Is this Caleb? Your fundraising campaign has been flagged for fraudulent activity. The withdrawal has been suspended.
A roar filled my ears, a white noise that blanked out all thought.
The report was filed by your sister, Victoria.
Who did you say? Victoria?
Yes. She provided proof of your relationship and claimed your medical records are fake. The platform is currently investigating. Until we can verify your claim, all donated funds will be frozen.
The world tilted, plunging me into an icy void. Thats impossible! My records are from a top hospital, theyre real! She she has a grudge against me. She wants me dead
Sir, please calm down, the rep interrupted, his voice professionally placid. As I said, we are investigating. If your claim is verified, the funds will be released to you immediately.
I was shaking so badly I could barely hold the phone. Arguing with him was useless.
I hung up and dialed Victoria.
For the first time in three years, it rang.
The moment she picked up, I roared into the phone. Victoria! Why would you tell LifeFund Im faking it? Do you have any idea
Arent you? she cut in, her tone light, almost amused. Caleb, I know you. Youre too proud to come crawling back, so you pull a stunt like this to make me fold first.
A pause. Tell you what. Come home, apologize, and well pretend this whole embarrassing episode never happened.
Her words hit me like a physical blow. My heart didnt just sink; it plummeted into a black abyss.
This is what she thought of me?
My hand tightened on the phone, but the words wouldnt come.
In the background, I heard Leos voice. Is that Caleb, Vic? Just let him come home. I forgave him for that stuff three years ago.
Victorias voice hardened. I know youre a good kid, Leo. But Caleb needs to learn his lesson. Hes my brother, and I refuse to let him grow up with a character flaw like that.
She was talking to Leo, but every word was meant for me.
A cold, humorless laugh escaped my lips. Victoria, I did nothing wrong back then. He framed me. And Im not faking anything now. Every document is from the hospital.
My voice dropped, low and final. I will never apologize. Id rather die than admit to something I didnt do.
You
I hung up before she could finish.
She called back. I ignored it.
The emotional storm raging inside me sent daggers of pain through my lungs. Each breath was a fresh torment.
A moment later, a text message arrived from her.
Caleb, I am so disappointed in you.
That night, sleep was a stranger.
It felt like a thousand needles were embedded in my lungs, each inhale and exhale a fresh wave of agony. The prescription painkillers had run out days ago. I just curled up, hugging Buddy, and endured it.
When dawn finally broke, my phone rang again. It was LifeFund.
Mr. Caleb, the platform requires you to undergo a new set of medical examinations and submit a report with todays date.
My voice was a lifeless rasp. And if I dont?
For disputed campaigns, failure to cooperate will result in a full refund of all donations to the original donors.
Then refund it. Thanks for your trouble.
I ended the call.
I didnt have the money for more tests. If I couldnt get that ten thousand dollars, so be it.
Buddy nudged his head against my chest. I managed a weak smile.
You hungry? Ill go find some bottles to sell. Get you some food, okay?
He just purred, tilting his head, blissfully unaware.
I splashed some water on my face and grabbed my burlap sack.
My cheap apartment was on the outskirts of town, where I had to compete with retirees for every scrap of cardboard and plastic. So, I headed downtown, toward the upscale shopping centers. The rich people there drank expensive bottled water, and the cans were worth more. If I was polite and asked to take their trash, they usually just handed me the recyclables.
Two hours later, my sack was half full.
As I was about to head to the next mall, a sharp voice cut through the air behind me.
Caleb? What are you doing here?
I turned. Victoria stood there, her face a mask of shock. Beside her, Leo was juggling five or six luxury shopping bags.
My brow furrowed. I turned to walk away.
But Victoria crossed the distance in three long strides and grabbed my wrist.
Youre scavenging for trash?!
Her face darkened, her eyes sweeping over me from head to toe. They lingered on my faded, threadbare jeans, and a flicker of something unreadable crossed her features.
Leo sauntered over. Wow, Caleb. A little on the nose, dont you think? Scavenging? Did you know wed be shopping here today? Is this part of the act?
Victorias expression grew fouler. She started dragging me away.
You are coming with me.
Let go of me! I struggled, but her grip was like iron.
She pulled me into a quiet corner and shoved me against the wall. Look at you! What is wrong with you? All you had to do was say you were sorry, and you choose this?
What else was I supposed to do? I shot back, my face a blank mask as I met her furious gaze. You made sure every job I got disappeared. If I dont do this, how do I eat?
You could have come home! she snapped. You knew all you had to do was apologize! Was it really that hard?
Youre just embarrassed, arent you? I said, my voice dripping with scorn.
She opened her mouth to retort, but Leo cut in.
Caleb you kind of smell. Cant you smell it yourself? He wrinkled his nose. You should really pay more attention to your hygiene. Youre still family, after all. Think of Victorias reputation.
I turned my gaze on him, meeting his taunting eyes. The needles in my lungs started stabbing again.
Youre the family now, Leo. Not me.
With that, I turned and walked away.
Victorias voice followed me, low and dangerous. Caleb, you refuse to admit youre wrong? Fine. Dont you dare regret this.
I pretended not to hear, quickening my pace.
That day, I couldnt sell the cans and bottles Id collected.
The owner of the scrapyard just sighed. Some big shot by the name of Victoria put the word out. Said no one in the entire city is to buy scrap from you. Dont blame me, kid. We gotta make a living, and we cant afford to cross someone like her.
I didnt argue. I just nodded, shouldered the heavy sack, and started the long walk home.
That was also the day Buddy left me.
A kind girl drove two hours to come and get him, not caring that he had a bad leg.
He had a new owner, a new home.
It should have been a happy moment.
But as I handed Buddy over to her, something inside me broke, and tears started streaming down my face.
The girl panicked. Oh! Are you are you sad to see him go? I promise, Ill take such good care of him!
I wanted to tell her it wasnt that. I was dying. Buddy had to go with someone else to have a chance at a real life.
But the words were lodged in my throat.
You look really pale, she said, her voice filled with concern. Do you need to see a doctor?
I shook my head.
I didnt need a doctor.
The only place I was headed was hell.
Grief, bitterness, heartbreak an unspeakable wave of emotion washed over me. Buddy started meowing from her arms, and the sound made the ache in my chest unbearable.
I had to turn my back. Just go. Please, go quickly.
The girls voice was solemn. I promise. I will take the best care of him.
Then, she and Buddy were gone.
I collapsed onto the sofa, feeling as if my soul had been ripped out.
A few hours later, my phone rang. It was the girl.
Her voice was choked with sobs. Im so, so sorry. Buddy ran into the road he was hit by a car. Hes gone.
The world went silent. My heart stopped beating for a few seconds, leaving me suspended in a terrifying emptiness.
The driver paid me two thousand dollars in damages I felt I had to tell you. I can transfer the money to you
When I came back to myself, I was coughing up blood.
The call had ended. A two-thousand-dollar transfer notification appeared, followed by a picture.
Buddy was a mangled, bloody mess, a broken heap on the asphalt.
My vision tunneled. This wasnt an accident. The force, the damage he was run over. Deliberately.
Ignoring the blood dripping from my chin, I zoomed in on the photo with a trembling hand.
The car
That was Leos car.
I knew it instantly. It was the one Victoria had bought him for his birthday.
The girl was sending a flood of apologies, one message after another.
I didn't read a single one. I rose slowly to my feet, my movements stiff and robotic.
I walked into the kitchen, my face a blank mask, and took the largest knife from the block. Then, I walked out the door and headed straight for Victorias house.
I burst in to find her and Leo sitting at the dinner table.
Without a word, I raised the knife and lunged at Leo.
He screamed and scrambled away.
A hand clamped down on my wrist, and Victorias face, contorted with rage, was inches from mine. Are you insane?
I shoved my phone in her face, showing her the picture. My voice was a low growl. Your precious little brother ran over my cat. He didnt just hit him, he crushed him. It was deliberate!
Im done letting things go, I snarled. For this, I cant forgive him!
Leo stammered, his face pale. I I didnt mean to. I paid for it! Im sorry, Caleb
Is sorry going to bring him back? I shrieked, my voice cracking. Leo, havent you made my life miserable enough for the past three years? Why couldnt you just leave a poor, defenseless cat alone? Are you even human?
My rage was a raw, physical thing, and all I wanted was to plunge the knife into his heart.
Victorias brow was a tight knot. Its just a cat, Caleb. Do you have to be so dramatic?
Her words were a bucket of ice water.
Leo paid you and he apologized. Thats more than youve ever done, she continued, her voice cold. Its been three years, and you still havent given us an explanation for what you did!
I told you I didnt steal his goddamn scholarship! Are you deaf? The dam of my composure finally burst, three years of repressed anguish pouring out. I am your brother! Your flesh and blood! Why wont you ever believe me?
My voice rose to a hysterical pitch. What will it take? Do I have to die right here, right now, to make you happy?
Victoria stared at me, her eyes filled not with sympathy, but with profound disappointment.
Youre being completely irrational.
Leo suddenly stepped forward. Caleb, Im sorry, I really am. What can I do to make you forgive me
CRACK.
My fist connected with his jaw before he could finish.
He stumbled back, stunned.
Victorias eyes went from disappointed to glacial.
I see three years on your own has taught you nothing.
And then, she swung, repaying the punch on Leos behalf.
My head snapped to the side, a loud ringing filling my ears.
She looked down at her hand, a flicker of regret in her eyes. You made me do that.
The slap didnt just sting my cheek; it shattered whatever fragile connection was left between us.
Before, I might have hated her.
Now, there was nothing.
I swallowed the coppery taste of blood rising in my throat. You can celebrate now, I said, my voice thick with a chilling calm.
I wiped my mouth and turned to leave.
Celebrate what? What are you talking about?
She reached for me again, but this time, I spun around and hurled my phone at her feet.
Stay away from me!
She froze, a look of genuine confusion on her face as she watched me walk away. This time, she didnt follow.
I walked out of her gilded prison, went straight to the nearest overpass, and began to climb.
Staring down at the river of headlights below, a strange sense of peace settled over me.
I was going to be free.

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