Chapter 3

3

Over the next few days, my parents took turns blowing up my phone from different numbers.

Once I realized talking to them was like talking to a brick wall, I blocked them all.

I finally got a few days of peace.

They probably thought I was just bluffing and that I'd cave when the bills came due.

But when they checked their accounts, they realized I had truly cut the cord.

Yvonne's social media suddenly went silent.

Usually, she posted every other day, showing off new bags, designer clothes, or luxury vacations.

Anyone who didn't know her would think she was a successful, independent woman.

Nobody knew she was just a parasite sucking the life out of her younger sister.

My parents had it good, too.

I gave them a generous monthly allowance, but they'd still call with excuses to ask for more.

Now that I'd stopped the flow of cash, their "luxury" lifestyle was falling apart.

I thought maybe a few days of struggle would make them realize how horrible they'd been.

Then, right after I got back to work, I received a call from an unknown number.

I thought it might be a new client, but when I answered, my mother's voice came through―sounding surprisingly soft.

"Macy, honey... you've got quite the temper lately. I know you were a little sick and I didn't visit, but you can't really cut us off. Do you have any idea how hard it was to raise you?"

"We're family. We shouldn't hold grudges. I've already scolded your sister, and she knows she was wrong. She even cooked a big dinner for you today. You have time to come home and eat, right?"

I wanted to say no, but her sudden change in tone caught me off guard.

More importantly, I had a stack of documents I'd spent days preparing.

These people were predators.

If I didn't show them I was serious, they'd never stop circling me.

I gripped the phone and thought for a moment before agreeing.

"Fine. I'll be there for dinner."

My mother sounded ecstatic, almost breathless.

"Great! I'm making all your favorites! I even got those Jumbo Garlic Shrimp you love!"

The smile froze on my face, and my voice went cold.

"Mom... I'm deathly allergic to seafood."

The line went silent. She stammered for a few seconds before recovering.

"Oh... right. I've just been so busy lately, it slipped my mind. Well, if you can't eat it, you don't have to! Just come home. We're all waiting for you!"

She hung up quickly, as if afraid I'd ask more questions.

A cold wind blew some dead leaves across the street, and my heart felt just as hollow.

I really shouldn't have expected anything else.