Margaret shot to her feet and grabbed Lily’s face hard. "Is that why I let you study this long? So you could learn to talk back to your parents?!"
Lily cried out in pain but still refused to lower her head.
Robert picked up a wooden stick from the side and raised it toward her back.
My heart lurched. I rushed forward, pulling her into my arms.
"Dad, Mom, let’s talk about this! Lily’s doing so well in school—let her keep studying. If she graduates from college, she can get a good job and help support the family."
Robert lowered the stick, and Margaret sat back on the couch, though her expression was still dark.
"That’s all well and good, but you see our situation. How can we afford her high school tuition and boarding fees? That’s a lot of money."
At the mention of money, their expressions changed instantly, and they looked at me expectantly.
I knew this moment was coming.
Robert rubbed his hands together and sat down beside me.
"Did your parents send anything for us? Or… did you bring us a gift?"
Margaret jumped in quickly.
"Yes—look at this old house. It’s long overdue for rebuilding. And your brother will need money for college, a job, a house, a wedding… You’ll have to help us out a lot."