The Hidden CEO

My name is Emerald Jones. I've been a stay-at-home for three months. Every day, I just shuffle from the bedroom to the living room, then back again. The sunlight outside the window seemed unwilling to shine even a little more into this room. Mother's complexion has been getting worse lately. She always makes loud clattering noises with the dishes when washing them in the kitchen. I know she's venting her frustration. A few days ago, I overheard her talking to the neighbor on the balcony. Her voice was very low, yet a few words still drifted into my ears. "Don't mention it—Emerald stays home all day, and people gossip about her behind her back." "I feel like my face has nowhere left to hide." After speaking, Mother walked into the living room, her gaze on me as cold as ice. I pretended not to notice. Yesterday afternoon, Mother suddenly received a phone call. As she answered, her expression shifted from confusion to surprise. After hanging up, she walked into my room, clearly excited. "Emerald, I have something to tell you." Her tone was filled with an excitement I hadn't heard from her in months. "You know that influencer I've been following?" "She's organizing a 'Ten-day tour' event, and I got selected!" I looked up, surprised, staring at her. "A ten-day tour? Where to?" "To City Y—the scenery there is amazing!" My mother said as she began packing. "We're leaving the day after tomorrow." I paused for a moment and asked, "What about me then?" My mother's hands hesitated briefly as she packed but then continued. "What else can you do? Stay home by yourself." Her tone was flat, as if I were a meaningless object. "You're grown up now. Can't you take care of yourself?" I felt a pang inside but had no words to argue back. This morning, my cousin Reese Scott came over. The moment she walked in, she threw the designer bag she was holding onto the sofa. "Aunt, Emerald, I've got to tell you, I've been doing really well lately!" Reese proudly lifted her chin and launched into a nonstop brag about her "achievements." "Last month, I landed a major project, and my boss gave me a fifty-thousand-dollar bonus!" "Also, not long ago, I went on a business trip abroad, stayed exclusively in five-star hotels, and the service was absolutely top-notch!" As she spoke, she kept glancing casually in my direction. "Unlike someone who stays home all day—I bet she has never even seen the entrance of a five-star hotel." I clutched the pillow tightly, remaining silent. Mother echoed Reese Scott from the side, occasionally glancing at me, signaling me to learn from her. Seeing I stayed quiet, Reese grew even more animated. "Emerald, I'm not trying to criticize you, but you shouldn't always stay cooped up at home." "Go find a job, even if the pay's low. It's better than mooching off your family." "Look at me now—my career's doing great, and all my friends are people of influence." I took a deep breath, stood up, and took a bank card from the drawer. This is some money I saved from my previous job; I originally planned to leave it for Mom in case of emergencies. "Mom, take this card. There's twenty thousand dollars on it—you can use it when you travel." I handed the bank card to my mother. But she didn't take it; instead, she let out a cold laugh. "Where did this money come from? You wouldn't have gotten it from something bad, would you?" I froze, not expecting her to say that. "Mom, this is money I saved up before. Please feel free to use it." "Saved up? You actually saved twenty thousand?" Mother looked at me with disbelief. I stared at my mother and cousin, a cold shiver running through me. So, this is the kind of person I am in their eyes. Mother pushed my hand away and threw the bank card onto the floor. "I don't need your money. I have my own to travel! Just stay home and don't embarrass me!" With that, she turned and walked into the bedroom, continuing to pack without another word. I crouched down to pick up the bank card, tears streaming down my face. It feels like there's no place left for me in this home.