Chapter 18: The Big Break
I was half–asleep when a notification jolted me awake.
It was from a fellow writer friend, her voice message so excited it distorted through the speaker: “Your story is on the front page! Some big shot reader donated a fortune in premium votes!”
I thought I was dreaming at first, but suddenly I was wide awake, sitting bolt upright in bed.
Sure enough, my story had been pushed to the front page of the website. Each diamond vote cost a hundred dollars, and someone had donated a hundred of them–ten thousand dollars total–keeping my story pinned to the homepage for
a full ten minutes.
I was stunned. I checked the donor’s profile, but found only a string of random characters as a username with no other information.
Who could it be?
My first thought was Jake, but I immediately dismissed it. Jake had never read ánything I’d written. When he found out I was writing romance novels, he never openly criticized me, but his dismissive attitude was obvious. Though he always encouraged me to keep writing, he never once asked where I published my work. It couldn’t possibly be Alex either–I’d never mentioned which platform I used. Who could it be? I asked my friend in confusion, and she enthusiastically replied: “It doesn’t have to be someone you know! Maybe some rich lady really loves your writing. Last month someone dropped eighty thousand dollars on premium votes for a story she liked. This is your big break, girl!”
I stared at my story still displayed on the homepage, my heart too shocked to even feel happy yet.
I didn’t dare get my hopes up.
I was afraid this might be a one–time thing, a flash in the pan.
But soon, my story’s follower count began to climb rapidly, with views and
subscriptions skyrocketing.
Over the next few days, my readership continued to grow steadily. Then, ten days
1/4
later, to my amazement, my story made it onto the site’s trending list.
A message arrived from my editor:
[Your story’s metrics are impressive. We’ve already had companies inquiring about rights. If possible, try to wrap it up soon, and I’ll keep you posted about licensing
fees.]
I put down my phone, feeling a knot in my chest slowly unravel.
After a while, I sent Alex a text:
[Alex, that shooting star wish seems to have come true.]
He replied quickly:
[?
That’s awesome! We should go watch another meteor shower soon.]
I covered my mouth, feeling the warm dampness seeping through my fingers.
[Yes]
By my mom’s birthday, I’d earned my first ten thousand dollars.
Maybe that’s not much to some people, but to me, it was a number I’d never dared
to dream of before.
I packed several gifts and went home to visit my mom, but my smile crumbled the moment I pushed open the door.
Jake was sitting on our living room couch, peeling garlic for my mom. He seemed to have completely forgotten our previous confrontation, smiling at me as if nothing had happened: “Go change your clothes and wash up. Your mom made all
your favorite dishes today.”
My expression froze. My mom stood up, her face stern: “What’s with that attitude? Look at Jake–he’s so busy, yet he still made time for my birthday.”
She pointed to a pile of expensive gifts by the door: “Jake bought all of these. I wouldn’t even have known it was my birthday if he hadn’t reminded me. Having someone like him who cares about you is a blessing. He’s such a wonderful young man–what more could you possibly want?”
2/4
I was getting a headache: “Mom, don’t listen to his nonsense. Besides, I already have a boyfriend.”
My mom waved dismissively: “What boyfriend? Jake says you’ve only known him for a few months. How can that compare to our two families‘ history? And do you really think anyone you found yourself could be better than Jake?”
It was infuriating. My mom truly wanted what was best for me, but her controlling nature was overwhelming, suffocating.
“Please don’t be angry with Autumn, Mrs. Wilson,” Jake said, wearing a white sweater and looking dejected. “It’s not her fault she doesn’t like me. I must have done something wrong. Please don’t argue because of me.”
As expected, my mom grew even angrier: “You? What could possibly be wrong with you? It’s my daughter who doesn’t know what’s good for her!”
I was furious and dumbfounded. I never expected Jake would stoop to getting my
mother involved.
Mom had always adored Jake. She’d sighed multiple times, saying if only I’d “try harder,” maybe Jake would become her son–in–law. Now she would definitely try to force us together.
I slammed the door to my bedroom while my mom continued shouting outside: “If you don’t get together with Jake, don’t call me Mom anymore! I don’t want your
gifts either. Don’t bother coming home again!”
This was absolutely insane.
Feeling both angry and hurt, I called Alex.
Alex was still cheerful: “What’s up? Miss me already?”
I hadn’t meant to cry, but as soon as I opened my mouth, I couldn’t hold back the
sobs.
“Alex…”
His voice immediately turned serious: “What happened? Who upset you?”
I explained the situation to him: “I’m coming back tonight. I can’t stay here. Can
you pick me up from the airport?”
3/4
Alex gave a cold laugh.
“Jake’s always been sneaky like that. When we fought as kids, I’d hit him in the
face, but he’d hit where it wouldn’t show. Then when parents showed up, only I
would get in trouble.”
“But we’re together now, and we’ll have to deal with family sooner or later.”
“Don’t worry about it. Leave it to me.”
