Chapter 4

After I got my first paycheck out of college, I started looking for an apartment so I could finally move out, but Mom refused no matter what I said.

One night, she sat beside my bed while wiping away tears. She cried about how lonely she would be living alone.

Seeing her like that, I couldn't bring myself to leave, so I stayed home.

"Move out? Where would you move to? I can't believe how stubborn you've become. I thought I raised a good daughter. You ungrateful child!" After being stunned for a few seconds, she immediately started pointing at me and yelling.

I didn't even bother arguing with her. After putting my things away, I grabbed a few snacks I wanted to eat and sat at the dining table. I began indulging myself.

Once I was full, my mood improved a lot. I got my phone back, repaid Melinda, and scrolled on my phone in bed. I eventually fell asleep.

Early next morning, I woke up to loud voices all around me. The second I opened my eyes, I nearly had a heart attack.

A group of relatives was standing around my bed. They surrounded me like mourners at a funeral. It was as if they were about to carry me off any second.

"What are you all doing? Who said you could come into my room?"

I shot upright in bed and screamed.

"Well, look who finally woke up. You don't care about your poor mother at all. You could've gotten up early to help her in the kitchen."

My aunt, Daisy Anderson, said with a sarcastic snort.

I glanced at my phone. It was only eight in the morning.

I finally had a few days off and just wanted to sleep in for once. That plan was clearly ruined now.

"Get up already. Your mother's been cooking for two hours." My aunt-in-law, Mary Ziegler, yanked my blanket away.

"Why do you even need this much makeup? You can't possibly use all of it. I'll just take these bottles.

"And these clothes in your closet are way too revealing. People would think you work at a nightclub."

The entire group of people rummaged through my room. They pointed at my belongings and criticized me for just about everything. They were like looters raiding a house.

"What are you doing in my room? Put that down!" I shouted.

"Why are you yelling? You have such a bad temper. Your mother specifically asked us to come talk some sense into you. You seriously can't be left unchecked anymore."

My heart sank. My mind was a mess.

I honestly didn't know what I had done so wrong for Mom to torment me like this. At that moment, I genuinely felt like I would rather she stab me to death than keep torturing me this way.

"I need to get changed. Get out," I said while trying to suppress my anger.

"We're all family. Just get changed. What's there to hide?"

I glanced in the direction of the bedroom door. It was wide open. My uncle, Jack Ziegler, and my cousin, Ben Ziegler, were sitting out there in plain view. Once they looked up, they'd be able to see everything. I couldn't possibly get changed like this.

"Get out! How am I supposed to get changed with all of you standing here?" I grabbed a pillow and hurled it at them.

"Such a bad temper. Fine, fine, we're leaving."

Only after they walked out did I finally sigh in relief. I shut the door and had just pulled off my nightgown when the door suddenly swung open behind me.

"Why are you keeping your door closed? We're all family. What are you trying to hide from us? Why must you close the door?" Mom stood by the door and fumed.

Perhaps it was my imagination, but a cold draft swept across my bare upper body. It made me shiver instantly.