Chapter 3

3

"How can she not have money? What about her salary? Her part-time jobs?"

"I manage her salary. She gave me the money from her part-time jobs too. She only gets $800 a month for living expenses."

That was true. $800 a month. Same as my past life. The difference was, last time, Mom forced me to hand over the money. This time, I willingly gave her my debit card and the $2,000. I didn't want to be arrested or constantly pressured for money to fund Sarah's life. It was exhausting and interfered with my own plans.

Mom avoided my gaze. Dad paced back and forth, lips pressed together. He knew he was wrong, but how could he admit it? He never admitted he was wrong.

I looked at him, a bitter smile on my face. "You're right, Dad. I should sell my blood and kidneys to help Sarah. I don't need that $800 a month. I don't mind starving."

I saw both their bodies stiffen.

As I turned to leave, Mom grabbed my arm. "Ashley, how dare you be angry? If you hadn't lied about Sarah, your father wouldn't have hit you. It's your own fault!"

"And we never told you to sell your blood or kidneys! Don't you dare put words in our mouths! And don't drag your sister into this!"

Even though I'd given up on their love, their words still stung.

As expected, they denied everything. So, I wouldn't be polite. I turned and played the recording of our earlier phone call.

"Mom, Dad, Sarah messed up a project and has to pay thousands in damages. The company said they could take legal action, but she insisted on paying herself. Maybe you should give her the money before she makes herself sick…"

My voice was followed by theirs, dripping with sarcasm.

Dad: "Ashley, you're lying. You used to ask us for money directly. Now you're using your sister as an excuse. You're unbelievable. If you're jealous of your sister, you don't have to curse her project to fail."

Mom: "Exactly. Your sister told us she's working on a big project, that's why she's been working late. Don't twist the facts. If she really needs to pay, you could try selling your blood and kidneys to help her."

Dad (laughing): "I think that's a great idea! One kidney should be worth a few thousand, right? If it's not enough, you can sell blood too. Just don't starve to death; you still need to eat."

Mom: "It doesn't matter if she starves. She's the older sister; she should help her younger sister."

I tried to explain, but they cut me off, convinced I was jealous.

I stopped the recording halfway, just as Dad walked out. Mom's face was pale, her lips trembling.

Dad pointed at me, furious. "You recorded a family conversation? Ashley, what are you playing at?"

"Your sister's in the hospital and you don't care! You want something bad to happen to her!"

People around us started whispering. He and Mom continued their tirade, unable to blame me for Sarah's hospitalization this time, resorting to generic insults. I would have cried in the past. Now, I just walked away.

A few days later, Sarah was discharged. My parents threw a welcome home party for her, buying her a StellaLou plush toy, the one I always wanted. I'd asked for it before, but they'd always said, "That thing's so expensive; what's the point?" Now, they used it to appease Sarah.

It didn't matter. I could buy myself as many as I wanted later.

The company suspended Sarah because of the project fiasco; she was facing termination. My parents, knowing I was working on a major bid, wanted me to help her again.

"Once you finish the bid, give it to Sarah," Dad said, no longer bothering with pretense. Mom glared at me. This was good. I didn't receive their love, so I didn't need to reciprocate.

After the recording incident, I moved into the employee dorm and had HR transfer my salary to a new account. They hadn't contacted me for a year, and now, their first words were another demand for Sarah.

This time, I agreed. "Okay."

Because my boyfriend was about to enter the picture, and he needed to meet Sarah, didn't he?

I gave the completed bid to my parents, and they passed it on to Sarah. She posted a photo with them on social media.

"I'm so lucky to have such wonderful parents. I love you both." My parents treated the entire company to Bubble tea, except me.

Josh, a coworker, walked over.