She knew she had to repay her debt. That was why she had taken on all the household chores from a young age—so that when Wendel and Esther came home from school, they could do their homework while she fed the pigs and ducks, washed the family’s clothes, and worked late into the night.
When the family couldn’t afford to send all three children to school, she was the first to be sacrificed.
Even when she discovered the whereabouts of her biological parents, she was forbidden from contacting them.
The Lancaster family couldn’t stand the thought of their doormat leaving—let alone seeing her live a life of wealth and comfort.
But this time was different.
She had been reborn. She would not walk down the same doomed path again.
Her voice was hoarse as she spoke softly, "If I’ve repaid my debt, can I leave?"
Stella froze, clearly not expecting such a question.
Then, she burst into laughter.
"Fine! But repaying a debt isn’t just about saying the words—you want to repay me? Give me five thousand dollars, and I’ll cut ties with you immediately!"
Wendel quickly stepped in to stop her. "Mom, what are you saying?"
To put things into perspective, as a teacher, Wendel only earned fifty dollars a month. Stella’s demand was nothing short of absurd.
Who in the entire village could possibly come up with five thousand dollars?
Wendel put his arm around Iris’ shoulders and comforted her. "Don’t worry, Mom is just saying things out of anger. Just apologize, and everything will go back to normal. We’re still a family."
"Iris..." He leaned closer, his voice gentle as he coaxed her. "Be good, don’t be stubborn right now."
Iris lowered her head, avoiding his gaze.
"I understand. I’ll do my best to save up the five thousand dollars," she flatly stated. "I’m tired. I’m going to rest now."
With that, she turned and walked back into her room.
However, Stella’s curses continued ringing in the air.
"Ha! Save up five thousand dollars? How much could she even earn in a month? Dreaming in broad daylight, is she?"
"I treated her so well, gave her food, gave her clothes, and this is how she repaid me? What a disgrace to this family! If I had known back then, I would’ve let her die!"
Leaning against the door, Iris took deep breaths, forcing herself to stay calm.
She wasn’t bluffing—her biological parents were wealthy. Five thousand dollars was nothing to them.