Chapter 2

2

When I got home, the atmosphere was as suffocating as ever.

My father was lounging on the sofa, watching TV and ignoring everything else.

My mother was busy in the kitchen, but she poked her head out when she heard the door.

"Anya, you're home? The utility bills are due again. Remember to transfer this month's living expenses to my account."

I gave a quiet hum of agreement and went straight to my room to pack my things.

As I passed the sofa, my father glared at me for ignoring him.

Since I paid all the bills, he didn't scream, but he muttered something about me being a useless daughter under his breath.

At dinner, my father nudged my mother with his elbow, and she immediately looked at me with a fake smile.

"Anya, how's work going? Your father and I are getting older, and we've raised you for so many years. It's time for us to enjoy life."

"Your father thinks you should give us a hundred thousand dollars each so we can go on a nice long vacation."

A heavy, dead silence followed her words.

After I finished my meal, I put my utensils down slowly and met their expectant gazes with a firm shake of my head.

"I'm moving out. From now on, I'll send you two thousand dollars a month for expenses. Don't call me unless it's an emergency."

I went to my room, grabbed my suitcase, and walked out right in front of them.

In my past life, I was a devoted daughter who gave them thousands of dollars every month.

But after the scandal, they complained that I had embarrassed them and stole every penny from my bank account while I was sick.

They heartlessly threw me out onto the street.

In this life, I wouldn't be stupid enough to sacrifice everything for a family that didn't love me.

I quickly found a small apartment, about nine hundred square feet.

It had a little balcony, and the one-bedroom space felt like a palace to me.

I had saved quite a bit of money over the years.

Now that I wasn't spending every waking hour in the lab, I finally started to enjoy my life.

However, the peace only lasted a couple of days before the nuisances showed up at my door.

"Anya, why did you block my number?"

Zack looked at me with those pathetic, puppy-dog eyes.

"The people at the lab said you haven't been there in days. The Biotech Summit is coming up. Are you really going to throw away all your hard work?"

"Yeah, Anna. You've spent five years on that heart medication. Why would you quit when you're so close to the finish line?"

Chloe was right there next to him, acting concerned.

I watched them put on their little show with cold eyes.

"Whether I participate or not is none of your business. Why are you two so stressed about it?"

"Unless... you were planning on taking my work for yourselves."

Their faces went pale instantly.

I found the whole thing pathetic and turned to walk away.

Zack rushed forward to block my path, looking frustrated.

"Anya, what is wrong with you?"

"That drug is your life's work. How can you just walk away? If you're having trouble, just tell me!"

Chloe panicked too, grabbing my hand in a fake display of sisterhood.

"Anna, you're totally misunderstanding Zack and me. We just think it's a waste. You've spent so much time and money on this."

It was my time and my money, so why did they care so much?

I didn't feel like arguing, so I lied and told them I'd return to the lab soon just to get them to leave.