I spent the night in a whirlwind of thoughts, a mix of disbelief and dreams I dared not imagine until now. By morning, I had resolved to leave without a word. I packed a small backpack with essentials, enough to make my departure seem as unremarkable as possible. I slipped the winning ticket into my pocket, the paper that held my future.
I left a simple note on Marvin’s kitchen table: “Thank you for your hospitality.” No sarcasm, no bitterness. Just a farewell. I walked out the door and never looked back.
For the first time in years, I felt free. I wandered the city aimlessly, enjoying the anonymity that comes with being just another face in the crowd. I was no longer a burden nor an obligation. I was merely a woman with a secret, one that would change everything.
