For many, winning the lottery is a life-altering event. However, for one woman, it appears fate had other plans, leading her to miss out on her chance at a jackpot.

Reported by Sina and Sin Chew Daily, a woman named Miss Ai from Taizhou, China, recently found herself in possession of a winning lottery ticket, only to discover it in fragments, rendering it unclaimable.

On March 22, Miss Ai and her husband joined two other couples for dinner. As the men indulged in drinks, the women sought entertainment at a nearby lottery outlet.

Purchasing a scratch ticket, they rejoiced over winning 100 yuan (RM65). Encouraged, each of the women bought additional lottery tickets, jesting about the possibility of one of them winning and using the winnings to construct a shared home.

When the lottery results were announced the following day, Miss Ai realized she held the winning ticket. However, her elation turned to dismay upon realizing the ticket was tucked in her pants, now undergoing its third wash cycle, as her family assumed it had been forgotten.

"The lottery ticket was destined to be shredded to pieces!" lamented the woman.

Undeterred, Miss Ai contacted the lottery center inquiring if she could still claim her prize, only to be informed that only the intact ticket bearer could collect the winnings.

Struggling to come to terms with her loss, Miss Ai expressed profound distress, remarking, "I can't bear to dwell on it. The mere thought is agonizing. How could one not feel heartbroken?"