As the Only Granddaughter, I Was the Family's Treasure—Until My Uncle Tried to Sell Me Chapter 1

I am the only girl in my generation on both my mom's and dad's sides of the family, so I’ve been completely spoiled my whole life.

During the holiday break, I was whining to my grandmother on the phone because I couldn't book a flight home in time.

After comforting me, Grandma remembered my uncle was actually driving back from my college town that very weekend.

She told me to catch a ride with him, and I happily texted him to arrange it.

So, the next day, I hopped into my uncle's SUV.

But my aunt—who used to be a notoriously trashy party girl back in the day—demanded I pay for the ride the second she saw me...

* * *

"Mia Sterling, right?"

"Your uncle and I drove all the way out here to pick you up, and you’re not even going to show a little gratitude?"

"You’re a college student now. How can you be so clueless?"

The moment I got in the car and cheerfully greeted them, my aunt’s words completely blindsided me.

Yesterday, when I was complaining to Grandma about the sold-out flights, my roommate overheard. She offered me a ride, since her parents were driving her to my hometown of Boston for the holidays anyway.

I had initially planned to go with my roommate, not wanting to inconvenience my uncle.

But when I texted him last night, he insisted that my campus was right on his way.

Since he was family, I figured it would be better than intruding on my roommate’s family road trip.

So why was my aunt now acting like they went out of their way just for me?

Her snarky remarks made me flush with embarrassment. I instinctively looked at my uncle.

He looked a bit torn, like he wanted to say something, but my aunt shot him a dark glare.

In the end, he kept his mouth shut and turned his head to look out the window.

My heart sank. Instantly, I realized that taking this ride was a huge mistake.

But I was stuck. She was his wife, after all, and I didn't want to make things awkward for my uncle, who had always doted on me when I was little.

Reluctantly, I pulled out a velvet box from my bag. It was a solid gold necklace.

I had worked a part-time job for months to save up for it, intending to give it to my mom for her upcoming birthday.

But I had no cash on me, and no other options. Mom’s gift would just have to wait.

"Aunt Brittney, here. Take this gold necklace."

"Consider it a late wedding gift for you and Uncle David."

I forced a polite smile, swallowing the heartache as I handed over the box.

Aunt Brittney’s eyes instantly lit up. A flash of pure greed crossed her face.

She snatched the box right out of my hands.

"Well, that’s more like it. At least you know how things work..."

She practically squealed with joy as she fastened the necklace around her neck, admiring herself in the rearview visor mirror.

Through it all, my uncle just stared blankly out the window, not saying a word.

Once she secured her "gift," Brittney finally let David start the car.

I breathed a sigh of relief, hugging my backpack and shrinking into the corner of the backseat to make myself as invisible as possible.

Her behavior left a bad taste in my mouth, but I figured if I could just get home safely, it would be fine. I’d just make sure to never ride with them again.

But less than an hour onto the highway, the SUV pulled into a gas station.

Aunt Brittney reached back and slapped my arm, jolting me awake from a nap.

I jumped, looking at her nervously. "What is it, Aunt Brittney?"

Her face, caked in a thick layer of foundation, twisted into an impatient scowl.

"Your uncle and I both have dead phones."

"We need gas. You’re going to pay for it."