I steadied my breathing. "Where's my paycheck?"

She exchanged a look with Dad, her tone matter-of-fact.

"Getting your brother into classes and pulling strings—your dad and I borrowed a lot. We have monthly payments. How else would we afford it? We're family. Don't be petty. Call it rent."

Dad snorted. "We raised you this big and never touched a cent of yours. You've got nerve making a fuss. Taking your paycheck is only right."

I looked at Ryan, barely hiding his smirk.

Head to toe in new clothes—Gucci shoes, Burberry coat—his pampered face round and smug.

And me? I hadn't dared replace clothes I'd worn for ten years. Hair dry and brittle, nothing but skin and bones. A walking corpse.

While I cleaned up vomit and filth for a few hundred dollars, their precious son blew money in luxury stores like it was nothing.

I stared at them coldly.

"You know the last step of the civil service exam is a background check, right?"

Mom and Dad's faces changed instantly. Ryan's eyes flickered.

"What do you mean?"

I sneered, picking up the fruit knife from the table and lowering my voice.

"First, give me back my wages. Second, I want a written guarantee stating clearly that the debt is yours—it has nothing to do with me. Third, I'm moving out tomorrow. Whatever happens after, I won't come looking for you. Just pretend I don't exist."

"Otherwise, I'll go out and do something stupid, and Ryan won't pass his background check. Ever."

"If you won't let me live in peace, none of us will."

They clearly didn't expect me—the girl who only ever cried and caved—to suddenly snap. Ryan shot to his feet, then looked at Dad in panic.

Dad was shocked and furious. He reached out to hit me. "You're rebelling!"

I'd seen truly ruthless people inside. I knew he was all bark and no bite. I pointed the knife at him.

"Take one more step. Find out if I dare."

He froze. Mom clutched her phone, voice trembling. "Fine, fine! It's just a few thousand dollars. I'll transfer it now, okay?"

"Ungrateful wretch. Your brother making something of himself benefits the whole family! Don't come crying to us later!"

Making something of himself? You already destroyed your precious son's chances yourselves.

I kept my guard up. "The written guarantee too. Write it. Now."

When it was done, Mom and Dad's eyes burned with hatred.

I tucked the paper carefully into my pocket, turned, and walked toward the door.