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."

I soon picked up Colin and Mila's conversation through the phone.

After putting Jasper to bed, Mila tiptoed over to scope out where our bedroom was. Making sure we were asleep, she whispered, "Colin, do you really think your parents will forgive you and just hand over this apartment?"

Colin nodded. "Back when they sold a property and Dad was hospitalized, I thought they were deep in debt, so I left. Five years on, their lifestyle hasn't dipped at all. I'm starting to think they pushed me out on purpose, making me struggle while they lived comfortably."

It was clear Mila was just like Colin. They were birds of a feather.

Mila bought into his theory. "It adds up. Their business problems popped up just when you graduated and needed money to start your own venture. And once you left, their debts magically cleared up."

Colin snorted. "Exactly, so I had to come back. They chose to adopt me, so they've got to own up to that. They didn't give me a dime for my wedding. Now with Jasper about to start school, I need to secure their apartment during this holiday."

Mila nodded, pausing before adding, "Your parents seem pretty hard-hearted, especially your dad. Plus, he seems to do whatever your mom says. I doubt you'll easily get the apartment."

A grim look crossed Colin’s face. "I'll give them two months. If they don't forgive me or start coughing up some cash, I'll just..."

He mimed slashing his throat. "I'm their only family, after all. Everything will eventually be mine."

Colin sneered and continued, "Don't think I'm being cruel. I'm doing this for my kid."

Mila seemed taken aback, but after a glance at Jasper, she nodded.