Chapter 3

I looked at my parents.

“Do you want to know why I’m getting home so late tonight? A client forced me to down an entire bottle of hard liquor. I was in the washroom puking my guts out.

“And while I was out there breaking my back, I saw my own sister showing off the apartment you bought her. It’s the one I’ve been working really hard to afford but will never, ever have!

Daphne stood up and said in a shrill voice, “Lina, how can you talk to Mom and Dad like that? They’ve sacrificed so much to raise us—”

I could not stand her acting innocently while reaping all the benefits, so I cut her off mid-sentence.

“Sacrificed? Yeah, they sacrificed so hard they gave you every ounce of love and every penny they had, while I had to go fend for myself!”

My mother trembled with rage.

“Lina, you disappoint us so much! We wasted our efforts in raising you!”

I wiped the tears from my face and felt a strange sense of calm wash over me.

“Yeah, you wasted them. Starting today, just pretend you never had me as a daughter.”

I turned and walked toward my room to pack my things.

My parents and Daphne stood there frozen. They had not expected me to be so resolute.

“Lina, please don’t do this.”

Daphne timidly reached out to stop me.

I shook off her hand coldly.

“Tomorrow’s your birthday party. I’ll sit this one out. I don’t want to ruin the mood.”

My father stood motionless. He was too angry to say anything. His lips trembled.

My mother began to cry, but her sobbing sounded insincere to me.

...

I worked day and night preparing the documents for my departure abroad in my friend’s cramped guest room.

Mr. Jenkins affirmed my decision but also emphasized the hardship and long-term nature of the overseas assignment.

The project was located in a sparsely populated area of Northern Civitas, with a duration of at least two years.

That suited me perfectly. Distance was exactly what I needed most at that moment.

The company was rather surprised by my decision. Some speculated that I was motivated by the generous overseas allowance and the promotion that would follow upon my return.

Only I knew the truth. I was fleeing a place called “home,” a place that had never given me the warmth it should have.

My phone kept getting calls.

My mother’s initial calls came charged with anger.

“Lina, are you done with this little tantrum? Get home and apologize to your sister. Now.

“How could you skip Daphne’s birthday party? All the relatives are asking where you are.”

I listened calmly. When she finished, I replied briefly, “I’m swamped with work. I don’t have time. Also, from now on, don’t bother telling me about anything involving Daphne.”

I hung up.

My father also tried reaching out. His tone was softer, but he was also calling for the same reason.

“Lina, I know you’re hurt. But come on, families fight. Be sensible. You shouldn’t hold grudges forever.

“Daphne is younger. Of course, we’re going to look out for her a little more. You’re the mature one. Just let it go.”

I corrected him.

“What I can’t let go of is the constant unfairness. I’m not just throwing a simple tantrum. I mean this.

“From now on, I will be in charge of my own money and my own life. What happens in this family is no longer my problem.”

With that, I hung up directly and set their numbers to Do Not Disturb.

Daphne’s messages came flooding in and bombarded my phone.

“Lina, do you have to tear this family apart?

“Mom and Dad are getting old. Can’t you cut them some slack?

“Do you think you’re so special just because you decided to leave? Well, this family doesn’t even need you.”

I felt indifferent when I read those messages. If anything, I almost found them amusing.

Those words used to cut deep. But not anymore. They just sound empty.

I did not reply to any of her messages. I simply left the “Happy Family” WhatsApp group.

In that space, I had always been an outsider. They were the ones in their happy little bubble.

The moment I exited the group, an unprecedented sense of relief washed over me. It felt as though I had finally shed a heavy yoke I had been carrying for years.

Just as I had anticipated, the moment I completely cut off their financial support, everyone in my family started to panic.