Chapter 2

It was my birthday. After finishing my shift, I didn't get home until almost 10:00 pm.

I walked into the apartment with a plastic bag in my hand. Inside was a classic cake, costing only a few dollars.

I flicked the light switch, but the room stayed stubbornly dark. The bulb must've gone out again. It didn't matter, for moonlight spilled through the window, bright enough to guide my eyes.

I set the cake on the table and settled by the window, letting the silver light spill over me. There weren't any candles, so I just pretended to stick one on the cake and light it.

I closed my eyes, made a wish, and blew. It was a simple wish, hoping I'd do well on the exam.

The moment I opened my eyes, someone was hammering on the door.

"Open the door! Pay up!"

"Don't make me break this door down!"

I'd seen this kind of thing before, but it still startled me.

Outside, the debt collectors had come for Dad. He'd lost a lot of money. I stayed hidden inside, biting my lip to keep from crying out.

No one answered, yet they rammed against the door. The wooden door to our rented apartment wasn't sturdy. It rattled with every hit. And then, with a loud crash, the debt collectors broke it down.

Three burly men stormed in and dragged me out of the corner where I'd been hiding.

"If your dad doesn't pay up, we'll take you as collateral."

I dropped to my knees with a thud, tears streaming down my face. "I don't have any money. My dad hasn't been home for days."

"No money? Then we'll take your stuff instead!"

They tore through the apartment, turning everything upside down. Even my backpack wasn't spared. They dug inside and pulled out 60 dollars.

That was the pay my part-time boss handed me after today's shift.

"60 bucks? That's not even enough to fill me up!" one of them grumbled, but still shoved my hard-earned money into their pocket.

Then he kicked the table. The cake I hadn't even gotten a bite of went flying, crushed on the floor. They ransacked the house, then left unsatisfied, leaving me with nothing but a home swallowed in chaos.

And that was how I spent my birthday, surrounded by this ridiculous mess.

I crouched on the floor, shaking with fear and sobbing. My hands fumbled for my phone, and I opened the live stream, replaying Ruby's birthday.

In the bright, spacious villa, Mom and Dad had thrown her a lavish party. Ruby wore a gorgeous dress, and Mom had even hired a stylist to do her hair and makeup.

"My sweet Ruby, you're so beautiful and adorable, just like a little princess," Mom said, holding her close with warm affection.

Happiness shone in Ruby's eyes, so bright it felt like it could overflow.

A five-tier birthday cake towered on the dining table, adorned with pink roses and lilies. In the living room corner, birthday presents were stacked to the brim.

It was a beautiful, joy-filled celebration, but the contrast hurt. We were both celebrating our birthdays, yet Ruby had Mom and Dad beside her, and I was always alone.

The comments rolled in.

"Aria still has no idea those debt collectors were actually sent by her dad."

"They show up three times a month, like NPCs respawning in a game."

"Why don't the debt collectors just make Aria work it off?"

"Aria's being tormented this badly, and her parents don't even feel a shred of pity?"

Then, the streamer posted a comment.

"This is part of the test too. To toughen Aria up, I paid people to put on an act. She should be grateful. Once she finishes the SATs, we'll bring her back. By then, we'll make up for everything we've owed her these past six years."

My hands shook as I held the phone, a bitter smile tugging at my lips while sorrow and confusion rose inside me.

Make it up? How could they make up for six years of pain built on lies?