I didn’t even bother packing a bag. I went straight back to my own place, which I hadn’t visited in ages. A thick layer of dust covered everything, so I spent the night cleaning. By the time I collapsed on the sofa, exhausted, I finally felt a sense of peace.
When I first bought this place, my mom was furious. She thought, as a girl, I had no business buying a house. If I had money, it should go to Richard so our family could get a bigger place. I usually listened to her, but this time, I didn’t. I bought the house in secret. When she found out, she stormed over, kicking me down in front of everyone and calling me shameless for “wasting” the family’s money.
People tried to intervene, but she chased them away with insults. Her words still ring in my ears: “Who do you think you are? Just because you’ve made a little money, you think you’re better than me? I raised you, and every penny you earn should go to me and Richard! How dare you make decisions on your own? You ungrateful brat!”
She acted like it was my duty to hand over everything I earned. To her, they were the righteous ones, and I was nothing more than an ant underfoot.
Back then, I was just sad, swallowing my anger. She demanded I sell the house, but I refused. We were at an impasse for a long time until she finally gave in—on the condition that I move back home. The house would stay in my name for now, but I was expected to transfer ownership to Ethan as soon as he came of age.
But now, given this second chance at life, I no longer care about the family affection I once clung to. They can call me unfilial all they want—I just want to live my life on my own terms.
My mom bombarded me with calls and nasty texts, but I ignored them. The next day, I consulted with some experts and went to the orphanage to start the adoption process.
Among the children, I noticed a tiny, frail girl sitting all alone on the steps in the corner, watching the other kids play with a timid expression. She reminded me so much of myself as a child—wearing Richard’s old, worn-out clothes, feeling lonely and helpless.
The director told me that her entire family had perished in a fire. There were six people in the family, and she was the only one who survived, shielded by her parents. Her relatives saw her as a burden and had no choice but to send her to the orphanage.