Tears, hot and uncontrollable, streamed down my face.
The manager had scolded and hit me before, but I’d never cried. I tolerated it because the pay here was good, and I could earn more money to “rescue” my so-called family faster.
I tolerated everything and gave up my dignity just for my family. But today, the pain and humiliation overwhelmed me.
“You're crying? Look at you, you jinx! Get up and get back to cleaning!”
The manager grabbed my hair and yanked me to my feet, making me cry out in pain.
My voice, filled with agony, caught the attention of my parents.
They turned their heads and met my gaze.
For a moment, I thought I would see guilt in their eyes.
But all I saw was disgust.
Their revulsion lasted only a few seconds before their expressions turned indifferent as if I were a stranger.
Then, they turned and walked away.
I couldn’t hold back any longer and shouted, “Dad! Mom! Why? Why did you lie to me? Why are you pretending not to know me?”
My father stopped and turned back, his expression cold. “Yanna, we lied to you out of pity. We let you live your little fantasy, thinking we were your family.”
“We pretended not to know you just now so you could keep living in that dream.”