Chapter 4

My father looked sullen. "Nothing you can do? You just don't care about us now that you've made it in the city!"

"The bottom line is that I won't resign," I said firmly, refusing to give in.

My father wanted to continue berating me, but Harry quickly came over to try to smooth things over. "Harold, Sandra, it's not often that Charlie comes home. You're a family, so you should try and talk things over, not argue."

Harry turned to look at me with a soft smile, "Harold and Sandra are getting on in years, Charlie, and all they want is someone to be by their side. It's only normal that they feel that way, so please don't be mad about it."

My father's expression softened when he looked at Harry. "Harry is the understanding one, and he's the one who cares about us. He's not like you at all. All you know is work and money."

I did not want to argue with them any longer. It was becoming mentally exhausting, so I turned to return to my room. However, I was taken aback when I pushed the door open.

My bed was covered with an unfamiliar bedspread, and the table was filled with men's cosmetics and hair gel. The wardrobe was filled with clothes, and it looked like someone had been staying there for quite a while.

Harry was following behind me, and I turned back right away to look at him. "Don't you have your own room? Why are you staying in mine?"

He started getting shifty-eyed, and he lowered his head, looking flustered. "I'm sorry, Charlie, I…"

Before he could finish, my mother started to explain on his behalf, "The heater in Harry's room isn't working. We've tried to get it working for days, but couldn't get it to work. I let him use your room because the weather has been getting colder.

"You're not home often, anyway, and it doesn't make sense to leave it empty."

I was furious. "It's still my room even if I'm not here! How can you let him have my room without my permission?"

"Why would we need your permission?" My father suddenly roared, looking red with anger. "Your mom and I bought this house, so we have the final say on who stays here. We can let Harry stay here, and we can make you leave the house!"

I trembled with rage at his words, and I stared at my parents, suddenly realizing they were like strangers to me. This was my home, yet I felt like an outsider. I decided not to argue with them and turned toward the door, dragging my luggage behind me.

"Fine. If you want me to leave, I'll leave!"

My father scoffed, looking at me with disdain. "If you're so great, leave and never return to this house!" My mother wanted to say something, but sighed in the end and said nothing.

Harry stood at the side while saying anxiously, "Don't be mad, Charlie. This is entirely my fault. I'll move out right now…"

However, I was no longer in the mood to listen, and I left with my luggage without looking back. I went down the stairs step by step with my heavy luggage and called a taxi to take me to the nearest hotel.

The next afternoon, my cousin called me on the phone. "We're having a family gathering today. Aren't you back home? Hurry over. Most of us are here."

"Alright, Andrew. I'm coming right now."

After hanging up, I dressed up and headed to the gathering. When I arrived, I saw my relatives gathered around, and so were my parents. However, I paused in my tracks when I saw Harry standing next to my mother.

Andrew spotted me first, and he waved at me. "Over here, Charlie."

I went over to him and asked in a low voice, "What's he doing here?"

Andrew sighed. "Your parents brought him here."