responsibility to take care of her.”
“I don’t have any money. All I have is my life.”
“If you’re so generous, sell the house and give
the money to Sarah so she can have her son.”
How dare she? All she knew was how to
exploit me.
We only get one life. Why should I have to
give in to them?
“You know what? I wish you’d never given
birth to me.”
“If my life is just about taking care of Sarah, I
<
wish I’d died in your womb.”
I’d wanted to ask her so many times why she
had me.
Knowing I’d be burdened like this, why bring
me into the world?
Didn’t I deserve my own life?
Her voice trembled on the other end. “Emily,
are you trying to abandon us?”
She was scared.
Without me, her cash cow, her life was about
to get a whole lot harder.
<
I said sweetly, “Mom, what are you talking
about? Isn’t my whole life about taking care
of Sarah?”
“But I don’t have any money right now. Please
don’t pressure me, okay?”
She was silent for a long time.
“Fine! But when you get paid on the 15th, you
have to send it all to me.”
In her dreams.
I wouldn’t leave them a single penny.
<
But to keep them at bay, I lied, “I’ll send you
three thousand. I need to keep a thousand for
food.”
“Mom’s so smart, she wouldn’t kill the goose
that lays the golden eggs, right?”
I told them I made four thousand a month, but
it was actually eight.
Even then, most of that four thousand went
to Sarah.
If I didn’t give them money, they’d bring Sarah to my office and harass my boss.
་་་
Everyone at work knew about my family
situation.
To avoid damaging the company’s image, I
had to pay up. Otherwise, I’d lose my job.
My mom thought for a long time before finally
agreeing.
“Now go apologize to your sister. You were
terrible to her today. You need to seriously
reflect on your behavior.”
“Without your sister, you wouldn’t even exist.”
“You need to learn gratitude.”
く
She wanted me to apologize?
I hadn’t done anything wrong.
I dug my nails into my palms, hatred flooding
my heart.
“Don’t worry, Mom. I’ll go to Sarah’s house
this Saturday and give her a surprise.”
“Don’t tell her beforehand, that way it’ll be a
real surprise.”
My mom was satisfied.
She thought she had me completely under her
<
୮
“Don’t tell her beforehand, that way it’ll be a
real surprise.”
My mom was satisfied.
She thought she had me completely under her
thumb.
“Good. And prepare a surprise for your
mother too.”
“I gave birth to you, I deserve it.”
I smiled. “Okay, just wait and see!”
I’d give them the surprise of their live
