“Then why pretend it’s for me? When in truth, it’s because…”
Before I could say a word, a heavy kick landed on my stomach.
“You dare talk back? We raised you all these years just so you could argue with your parents? We’ve worked ourselves half to death, and you don’t show any understanding—you just keep adding to our burden. And you still dare talk back?”
Cold sweat broke out instantly. Daniel Carter hobbled out of the bedroom.
“We raised you for eighteen years. Finally thought we could breathe a little easier, but no—you’re already thinking of bleeding us dry. Emily Carter, how could you be so black-hearted?”
I struggled to breathe, tears blurring my vision.
Margaret Carter’s voice cut sharply through the air.
“Don’t scold her, don’t scold her. It’s my fault. If she wants to study, let her go.”
I couldn’t take it anymore. Stumbling, I ran outside.
But soon, the phone calls began, relentless harassment from all sides.
Finally, they even called the police, asking them to persuade me to come home.
When I returned, Margaret’s eyes were swollen from crying, Daniel slumped powerless on the couch, and Ryan Carter glared at me with righteous fury.
I almost laughed.