During those three years, I worked hard, earning scholarships, doing part-time jobs, saving every penny for tuition and living expenses.
Every time Linda called, she would plead, "Lisa, Jeremy is getting married soon, and we're short on money."
Despite my struggles and the burden of family needs, I felt guilty spending my own hard-earned money.
After graduation, I was assigned to work at a county hospital.
Without enough savings to rent a place, I had to move back home.
When I wasn't working, I was treated like a servant—washing all the clothes, doing all the chores.
They still called me a good-for-nothing.
Silently, I put down my fork and prepared to go back to my room.
"Lisa, stop right there!"
Jeremy's cold voice stopped me.
"You're 19 now. Amanda was already with me at your age. You need to find a man soon. You can't live with us forever."
He patted my Zed's head with a proud look. "Don't worry, everything at home will be yours.
"Lisa, I met an old workmate in town today, the one who stayed at our place a few days before. Ethan, do you remember him?
"His family got four houses from the government. They're rich. I showed him your photo, and he's interested."