As soon as Colin walked in, he dropped to his knees alongside the woman and the little boy. He announced, "Mom, Dad, I'm back. This is my wife Mila Harris, and my son Jasper Harris."

Mila gave us a quick hello, then nudged Jasper, saying, "Say hi to your grandma and grandpa, sweetie."

Jasper sweetly called out, "Hi, grandma and grandpa."

Grant and I just stared. I said coldly, "Why are you here, Colin? I thought you wanted us out of your life."

Colin, still on his knees, replied, "Mom, when I left after college, it was because I knew the company was tanking. I didn't want to be another worry for you. And I planned to come back when I could actually help."

Grant scoffed. "Oh, really? So we should thank you for running off with our money and jewelry, huh?"

Colin kept a straight face and continued, "I was young and stupid. I thought leaving was helping. But now that I'm a dad, I get it. Nothing beats being there for your kid. That's why I'm home now. I'm not going anywhere. I want to take care of you, Mom, Dad."

We hadn't told a soul about the lottery win. People would do crazy things for money. I knew Colin too well. He wouldn't have come back if he didn't want something. But I was still trying to figure out what he was really after.

Grant and I locked eyes, understanding each other instantly. We stood united at the door, pointed to the hallway, and said, "We didn't need your help four years ago, and we sure don't need it now. Get out, Colin. And don't make me call the police."

Colin and Mila obediently walked out, but they didn't leave. Instead, they knelt down in the hallway. Colin began crying out loud, "Mom, Dad, I know I'm not your flesh and blood, but I really want to come back and take care of you. I admit I upset you back then, but it's been years. Could you forgive me, please?"

Soon, a few neighbors gathered in the hallway to see what was going on.

With Grant's heart condition, I was worried he might get another heart attack from the stress, so I hustled him into the bedroom. I blocked the door and called out to Colin, "When your dad and I were struggling four years ago, you took off with our valuables and told us to leave you alone. Now you expect us to believe you want to take care of us? Not happening."

Colin was taken aback by my bluntness. I'd always been one to keep up appearances.

But losing our business four years ago showed me that appearances mean nothing. After all I'd been through, I couldn't care less about them now.

Colin and Mila just kept begging and stopped trying to explain themselves.

It was a hot day, and with no air conditioning, Jasper was sweating buckets and crying his eyes out.

The neighbors couldn't stand watching and started to intervene.

"Whitney, Colin's your only kid. No need to hold grudges. He's clearly sorry, why not give him a chance?"

"Right, and eventually, he's going to inherit everything, right? Let the jewelry thing slide. It's more important he's back."

"Look at your sweet grandson, crying like that. How can you stand it?"

"Even if Colin isn't your biological son, you can't do this to him. He's sincerely apologizing. How can you be so cold?"

I realized why Colin had left my place as told. He had planned this whole act.

I wasn't mad, just laughed a bit and told the neighbors, "If you all love a kid who takes off with family stuff during tough times, then I wish you kids just like him. Hope your grandkids and great-grandkids do the same to you."

My words hit hard, and the neighbors went silent.

Tired of the drama, I shut the door.

Colin and Mila stayed on their knees for over an hour outside our door. Seeing that I was firm about not letting them in, they finally left.

For the next few days, Colin and Mila, along with Jasper, showed up every day and knelt in the hallway for hours.

Each visit, they brought loads of fruits, vegetables, clothes, shoes, and even jewelry.

I never took any of it, just let them stack it all up by the door.

The neighbors seemed to relish the drama, stopping by daily to offer superficial advice while expressing sympathy for Colin.

Colin really leaned into the role of the prodigal son. He didn't blame me at all, insisting that he was at fault and deserved whatever punishment we deemed fit. He even claimed he'd wait forever for our forgiveness, whether or not it ever came.

My peaceful life was completely disrupted by this daily soap opera.

Colin's actions made Grant and me even more suspicious that he knew about our lottery win. I knew Colin wouldn't just give up.

One day, Colin claimed he wanted to rent an apartment below ours to take care of me and Grant. Playing along, I softened up and invited Colin and his family to stay in our guest room.

Though Grant was still angry, he listened to me. Tossing and turning at night, he asked, "Whitney, have you really forgiven Colin? I can't shake the feeling he's back because he knows about the lottery win. Even if it wasn't for the lottery, it must be about the money."

I simply nodded and said, "I know."

Grant looked even more baffled. "Then why let him stay?"

Not wanting to hide anything from Grant, I showed him the live feed from the security camera I'd installed in the guest room. "I've set up cameras. I need to know why Colin really came back. If he's genuinely sorry and doesn't know about the lottery, I'll consider forgiving him. But if he's just after our money, I won't think twice about kicking him out."