All Chapters of Never Home Again: Chapter 1 - Chapter 9

Yvonne's POVRight after I sent that text, my sister, Nancy Wood, started screeching, "Yvonne's got a secret stash of money, Mom! I saw it! She hid it somewhere in her bed!"I rushed out to explain, but my mother, Karen Carter, was already frowning in displeasure. "What? You're hiding money?"I waved my hands as I blurted, "I didn't! I only had 20 dollars left. It's just that one of them got stuck in the bed by accident!"I tried my best to explain, but Karen didn't believe me. I quickly went back into my room and opened up the ledger. Every transaction I'd made was recorded there as clear as day. "It's really my money."Karen scanned the ledger, and her face fell. Then, she clicked her tongue and demanded, "Why do you have a record of this?"I was stunned. "I just want to prove—""Prove what?" Karen barked impatiently. "That we're treating you badly? That we're unfair to you? Have you forgotten that you're not even supposed to live here? You're only staying here thanks to Nancy

When morning came, I went into the bathroom only to find my one and only scented soap missing. Before I could voice my shock, I heard Karen say, "Nancy used it to clean Roundy's clothes. Her clothes are quality fabric and have to be hand washed with scented soap. You can make do with regular soaps. I'm giving it to you for free."After a beat, she added, "And make it quick. Free water only lasts for five minutes, and I'm counting."I kept my mouth shut and washed myself faster. Once my five minutes were up, she started urging me to make myself scarce. So, I quickly changed into the bleached clothes and left in a hurry.It was my last day working as a home tutor. I could get my pay after the day was done. It didn't pay a lot, but I could afford a new phone and a set of new clothes with the money. I could go overseas looking presentable.My employer just got off a call when I knocked the door open. She said coldly, "Leave. We don't need you anymore."I was stunned. "Why? I haven't

Before we boarded the flight, Ms. Smith bought me a new phone and set up a new SIM card for me. "The scholarship should be enough for your tuition and daily expenses. So, you should just focus on studying and nothing else."I wanted to thank her, but she interrupted me, "No. You deserve this. You're brilliant."My eyes stung as I felt tears spilling from my eyes. This was the first time someone had actually praised me. After all, the only one who got any praise from my parents was Nancy.If she showed even the smallest improvement in her tests, my parents would be over the moon and buy her the stuff she wanted just to reward her. Nevertheless, they'd never reprimand her if she flunked her tests.Instead, they would rush to comfort her.…Meanwhile, they'd only spare my trophy a cursory glance when I came home placing first. Then, they'd click their tongue in disgust and remark, "Are you done showing off? Keep that thing out of sight. Don't you dare make Nancy sad."I was used to

Nancy stared at Karen, utterly stunned. "You want me to be more like her?" She stared and stared until the edges of her eyes turned red. "You hate me now, is that it? You suddenly remember her contributions now that she's gone, huh? If you love her so much, why'd you kick her out?"Karen went stark white. Her lips trembled as she tried to say something, but nothing came out. In the end, she could only stare at Nancy dazedly. Karen used to think Yvonne was leeching off the resources that were meant for Nancy, and that Nancy was supposed to be the center of the family.Yet, here Nancy was, complaining about being mistreated even though she'd been given everything the family had for years.Robert's face darkened. "That's enough."Nancy refused to stop. "Why should I? You promised me that I'd be an only child! You promised me that I could have everything! All I want is a total renovation of that stinky room, and you can't even give me that!"Dead silence fell upon them. The couple

A few years later, I graduated with a bachelor's degree and was guaranteed a spot in my postgraduate studies. The campus assigned dorms for us, and it was all free of charge. However, I still spent most of my time over at my teacher's place.She would joke that she was getting old and wanted me over more often. "It gets too quiet staying alone, you know? Unnervingly quiet." She would even tell me that she'd be delighted that I'd come by to visit her just for a meal.I understood that this was her way of telling me I wasn't alone. Every morning, I would find a glass of warm milk waiting for me on the table. Every night, she would leave a light on for me no matter how late I came home.It had been a while since I had to worry about money. The scholarship, campus subsidy, and the money I made from the projects my teacher and I created were enough for me to live comfortably.I started spending on clothes I wanted. I now had a computer that was really mine. As time passed, all the thing