Lahat ng Kabanata ng A House Without a Place for Me: Kabanata 1 - Kabanata 10

Morning light filtered through the mist, casting a soft glow over the new suburban neighborhood. The air smelled of freshly cut grass and damp earth—the kind of serene morning that should have felt peaceful. Instead, standing in front of a three-story house with a manicured garden, I felt like a boulder was crushing my chest.I clutched the carefully wrapped gift in my hands, watching the moving truck in the driveway as workers carried furniture inside. I took a deep breath, forced a smile, and walked in.Inside, the whole family was already gathered.Dad, Benjamin Phillips, was in his element, commanding the scene like a general. His voice echoed through the empty living room. "That sofa—yes, by the window! The light's perfect there!" When he spotted me, his grin widened, and he waved me over. "Sandra! You're here! Come in!"I walked over and handed him the gift. "Dad, Mom, congratulations on the new house. I ordered this from a pottery studio in North Carolina—thought it would match

Back in my cramped studio in the city, I finally let the mask fall.The moment the door clicked shut behind me, my legs gave out.I slid down against the door and crumpled into a heap on the floor.My suitcase tipped over, clothes and toiletries spilling everywhere—scattered and broken, just like me.I couldn't hold it in anymore.I buried my face in my knees and sobbed—the kind of ugly, ragged crying I'd been holding in all day.The tears came hot and fast, splattering onto the floor, spreading into dark stains.Why? I asked myself, over and over.All my life, I'd worked my ass off. Straight A's. Scholarships. Awards. All just to hear them say they were proud of me.But every time I brought home a certificate, Dad just nodded. "This is what you should be doing. Set an example for your brothers."Mom would say: "Don't get cocky. Keep it up next time."But when Allen once broke into the top ten of his class, they threw a whole dinner party to celebrate.After graduation, I worked like a

At the morning department meeting, I sat at the head of the long table, but I felt like I was sitting on broken glass.I could feel their stares—pity, curiosity, and barely concealed schadenfreude.Halfway through the meeting, my assistant Jenna leaned in and slid her phone across to me, whispering: "Ms. Phillips... you might want to see this."I frowned and looked at the screen.It was Vanessa's post. A fresh Instagram update.Nine photos. All boastful shots of the new house.Marble kitchen. Balcony with mountain views. A selfie of her sprawled across the master bed, grinning like a maniac.The caption read:[So grateful for my in-laws' generous gift. Finally have a place I can call home! Some people don't appreciate what they have and just walk away... oh well, their loss!]The comments were vicious.[OMG congrats babe!!][Your in-laws are angels!][Unlike some people who think they're too good to spend time with family.]I even spotted an old classmate's comment: [Wait, isn't this S

Sandra Phillips.My name. Echoing through the entire airport.I froze, certain I'd misheard.Then I turned toward the information desk.My heart sank.They were there.My family.Dad was animatedly talking to airport staff. He looked like he'd aged ten years overnight—hair completely white, shoulders hunched.Mom sat in a chair nearby, face buried in her hands, sobbing, her eyes swollen like walnuts.Garrett was showing my photo to passersby: "Excuse me, have you seen this woman? She's my sister."Allen crouched on the ground, redialing my number over and over, muttering: "Sandra, please. Pick up..."I stared at the scene, feeling... nothing.What was this? A performance?Who were they putting on a show for?Wasn't ruining me enough? Now they had to stage a tearful family reunion at the airport?I laughed bitterly, grabbed my suitcase, and turned to leave.But just then, I spotted Vanessa standing in the back. Arms crossed. Annoyance written all over her face.She was complaining to Ga

Garrett's face went red. Full of regret."That was my fault!" He slapped his own cheek."I took that family photo and wanted to touch it up on my phone—brighten it a little. I accidentally deleted your part and stupidly saved it.""Mom was furious when she saw it. She told me to fix it and send her the right one. But when I texted it... I sent the wrong file. The broken one. Her eyes aren't great—she didn't notice—so she forwarded it to you. She thought it would make you happy, to see how happy everyone was..."I covered my face, a broken sob tearing from my throat.A stupid mistake. Badly timed accident. And it destroyed me."Then Dad... why did he..." I couldn't finish the sentence. The word was too painful."Dad pulled the funding because he knew you always wanted to start your own business, but you were too scared to leave that high-paying job.""He said you're too stubborn. Unless he pushed you, you'd never take that step. He pulled out to push you—to leave you no choice but to ch