All Chapters of Untamed Growth: I'm My Own Person: Chapter 1 - Chapter 10

I never imagined that Mom would wipe her tears and call me wasteful, while Dad took out his belt and beat me until I was covered in bruises. He even yelled that I was nothing but a parasite leeching off them.After that, William grabbed me by the collar and shoved me straight out the door. As I tumbled down the villa's steps and landed in the muddy, filthy water on the ground, Selene walked over, surrounded by a protective circle of maids.She pretended to help me up but leaned close to my ear and whispered a cruel truth, "Do you know why they won't let you study abroad? It was because I told them I was under so much stress from how outstanding you were that I broke out in acne."They felt sorry for me, so they insisted on keeping you tied down here."At that moment, I finally understood the reality I should have stopped wishing for long ago.Mom and Dad never loved me, and William had long become someone else's brother. Moreover, Selene never had to go through any of the so-calle

Mom and Dad told me to reflect on why I had spoken to them in such a harsh tone. Previously, I used to be terrified of being locked in here and making a mistake that would disappoint them. But I now understood that I was never the one at fault. It was just that they were used to holding power over me.Lying on the cold floor, I scrolled through funny videos my classmates had shared in the group chat, then fell asleep without a care.I didn't know how much time passed before the ringing of my phone woke me up.It was Mom. Her voice was soft, but her tone was accusing as she said, "Aster, Ms. Decker explained to us that she bought the dress for you, so it was indeed a misunderstanding on our part. But why didn't you speak up in your own defense?"Did you want us to feel guilty on purpose? Selene was so upset, thinking she had caused us to misunderstand you, that she didn't even eat breakfast. To help her feel better, we're taking her on a trip abroad."Spend these next few days at

"That was our way of nurturing you! Your mother and I were afraid you'd just come out of that impoverished place and let money corrupt your soul. We're your birth parents, so no one wants you to succeed more than we do," Dad shouted angrily.But his anger was clearly just a cover for his guilt."Is that also the case on the day of my SATs? To build character, you'd risk me missing the most important exam of my life?"Dad fell silent, sinking into the couch and lighting a cigarette. He was probably trying to make sense of his own contradictory logic."Mom, Dad, if Aster wants to leave, just let her go! She's nothing but an ungrateful brat! We've given her a comfortable home, yet she still acts like everyone's been bullying her."Let her go out and struggle for a few days. Maybe then she'll understand what it really means to be cold and hungry."I looked down at my wide-open luggage. Almost everything inside had been with me for seven or eight years.The clothes I owned for all fo

"When a person is starving, and you offer them food, they'll be deeply grateful. But once that person is no longer hungry, even the finest delicacies will just seem greasy and unappealing," I explained over the phone.Ms. Decker didn't push further. Instead, she reminded me to eat and sleep on time and to never neglect my health, no matter how busy I got with schoolwork.After the video call ended, a wire transfer from Ms. Decker appeared in my bank account. She also sent a message that read, "Even with a scholarship, it might not cover everything. Living abroad is expensive, so use this to treat yourself to some nice food."The tears I had held back even in the detention room finally broke free in that moment. It turned out there really were people in this world who loved me.Four years later, I graduated at the top of my class.During those four years, my outstanding academic performance and unique insights caught the attention of a highly respected Gaian professor at the colleg

Selene was surrounded by leaking gas canisters on all sides."Dad, Mom, Aster, you finally came! I've already sent William down. Now let's go join him, okay? And don't even think about having the police shoot me. If there's a gunshot in this house now, the whole place will blow up. Try it if you don't mind dying early."Mrs. Gentry was paralyzed with fear, practically collapsing into Mr. Gentry's arms.Following the police's instructions, I began to reason with her."Selene, didn't you say you wanted us to attend the wedding? Why are you talking about sending us to hell now?"Selene sneered coldly. "Because I hate you all! I hate you for raising me yet never loving me! I hate you all for taking me in and then bringing your biological child back! Isn't that reason enough?"I replied, "When I first returned, your standard of living was always better than mine. Couldn't you sense how much they favored you? I don't even hate them anymore, so what reason do you have to hold onto that