Chapter 8
When hard tactics didn’t work, they tried soft tactics.
That day, when I got home, my mom was carrying freshly made sweet and sour ribs, stopped by the security at the villa area gate.
Seeing my car, my dad stood in front of it, blocking my way.
Jane, carrying Andy, with a doll in her arms, said flatteringly, “Sis, Andy misses Anna. I especially bought a gift for the child. Please,
for the sake of the children, let them play together for a while!”
Andrew went further. He made a banner with our childhood photos and printed big words on it: [Congratulations to my sister on regaining freedom, happy singlehood!]
They tried to awaken my familial affection.
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But it was too late.
I looked at them through my sunglasses and said coldly, “Thank you. If I want to eat ribs, I’ll order takeout.”
Then I rolled down the window, ready to leave.
My mom was so angry that she went ballistic, “Divina, don’t be so ungrateful. We are your elders. What more do you want from us?”
I laughed, “I’ve repaid the upbringing grace over the years. If you want to sue me, I have no money under my name now. It’s all in funds. The rest I transferred to Anna.
If you want to sue, I’m ready anytime.”
Then I told the security not to let these people appear again. They don’t belong here. They have their own home.
When I got home and opened the door, my young boyfriend greeted me with a smile, wearing an apron. Anna was having a great
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time with him.
He brought out the freshly cooked ribs for me to taste, and I was satisfied.
“Anna, we’re moving.”
I announced, holding my daughter.
She asked why, confused. I thought for a moment and said,
“Because we have money. We won’t stay here anymore. I’m tired of the flies buzzing around.”
Andrew quickly squandered the money he had.
He couldn’t even afford rent, and the five of them ended up homeless, having to return to their old home in the countryside.
Jane couldn’t bear such a tough life and
cheated with a hair salon owner. Andrew
found out and, in a fit of rage, stabbed Jane with a hairdressing scissor.
Andrew was arrested. My parents, in tears,
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came to my company to beg me to save my brother.
When Emily called to tell me this, I was traveling with Anna. I said it was his own doing.
My dad couldn’t take the blow and had a stroke. Out of duty, I got him a doctor, but even with good treatment, he remained half–paralyzed. Perhaps this was his karma for pretending to be crippled all those years.
My mother, in her old age, had to take care of my dad and grandson, living a bitter life.
But that had nothing to do with me anymore.
After all, that place had long ceased to be my home.
My young boyfriend proposed to me.
“Let me think about it.” I said.
Now, having my daughter is enough. I didn’t want to get married again. I held
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Anna and jumped into the pool, living happily.
