Margaret greeted me with a forced smile.
“Emily, I know you’re upset. But yesterday, you were really too thoughtless. Your dad and your brother were furious, and I spent the whole night calming them down.”
“I know you’re always the obedient one. This time, take it as Mom’s request—just apologize to them, and let’s put this behind us, okay?”
“What your brother said were just words of anger. He’s admired you since he was little. He’s only scared that once you leave for school, you won’t come back. He’ll miss you. He does care about you.”
I stared into her sharp, calculating eyes, my voice cold.
“Where’s my admission letter?”
She feigned confusion, her lips parting slightly.
“Huh? Emily, what are you talking about?”
I repeated,
“My admission letter. Where is it?”
Her tears fell instantly.
“Emily, you still won’t let this family go, will you? Do you really want to see me sell blood, your dad die, and your brother drop out of school? You’re not that cold-hearted.”
Her lips trembled, opening and closing without sound.
A harsh cough echoed from the room.
Margaret’s body went limp. She looked at me with pleading eyes.
“Take it as a favor to me. I’ll kneel if I have to, alright?”