Chapter 1 · Dumped by Dad, Picked Up by Physics

I got into a tier-1 elite university.

The day my acceptance letter arrived, my father Gregory Evans didn't look happy at all. Instead, he called me into his room.

"Two choices," he said, lighting a cigarette. "Either skip college, get married, and use your husband's money to buy a place for your brother, or take your crazy mom with you.

"You won't get a single cent from me. Cover your own tuition and living expenses yourself."

My brother Brandon Evans was nearby, scrolling through his phone without even looking up.

Outside in the yard, my mom Hazel Ford muttered to thin air, her hair a total mess.

I stared at the university's name on the envelope and took a deep breath. "Dad, I'm taking the second option."

He let out a sigh of relief, convinced I'd back down.

However, at dawn the next morning, I packed up Mom and headed out the door, leaving him frozen with my parting words.

*****

Charlotte Evans got accepted to one of the nation's most prestigious universities.

The postal worker rode his motorcycle out to the town's outskirts, stopping to ask locals for directions until he finally handed over the envelope.

The crisp, official-looking white envelope bore the school's embossed gold seal, its clean, formal design standing out sharply against the ordinary mail, and the sight of it made her heart race.

Neighbors from all over town crowded into her front yard to see what was going on, showering her with endless praise.

"Charlotte's made it big."

"The Evans family must have some serious good luck."

Gregory pushed through the crowd and took the letter from the postman, but there wasn't a hint of joy on his face.

Without a word, he turned on his heel and walked inside. All the cheers and congratulations seemed to hit an invisible wall at the threshold.

Charlotte's heart sank.

Brandon was wearing headphones, playing a game, and didn't look up. He muttered impatiently, "So noisy."

In the corner of the yard, Hazel was squatting on the ground, focused on sweeping at dust that wasn't even there with a stick.

Her hair was brittle, her gaze hollow, muttering words nobody could make out.

Everyone in the poor town called her the "crazy lady." She was also the rawest wound Charlotte carried.

*****

That night, Gregory called Charlotte into his room.

Under the dim yellow light, he lit up a cheap cigarette, and the room quickly filled with harsh smoke.

"I saw your letter," he said, flicking the ash, sounding like he was casually commenting on the weather. "You know how things are at home. Brandon needs to settle down and get married, and we're nowhere near scraping together enough for his house."

Charlotte lowered her gaze, her nails digging deep into her palms. She braced herself for what was coming next.

"I'm giving you two choices. Take your pick." Gregory took a slow drag and blew the smoke out. "Option one, skip college. I found a guy for you in the next town over.

"His family runs a factory, and he's an only child. Marry him, and the thirty-thousand-dollar wedding payout will cover Brandon's down payment."

Charlotte's head snapped up, staring at Gregory in utter disbelief. He was really planning to trade her away like she was some commodity.

Gregory avoided her gaze and kept talking.

"Option two." He paused, acting as though he were doing her a massive favor. "If you really insist on going to college, fine. Take your crazy mother with you.

"From here on out, figure out your own tuition, living expenses, and medical bills. I won't give you another dime."

The room was dead silent. Outside, you could hear Brandon cheering as he won another game. This was ironic.

Gregory looked at her, a hint of smug satisfaction in his eyes. He was convinced she'd go with the first choice.

A girl like her dragged a mentally unstable woman to college? That was basically impossible.

He figured she'd break down, throw a fit, or beg him.

But Charlotte didn't. She silently locked eyes with him, holding the stare so long that Gregory began to squirm.

Then a faint smile crossed her lips, subtle and cold, like winter ice giving way to spring. Her voice stayed eerily calm. "Dad, I'll take the second option."

A chunk of ash tumbled from Gregory's cigarette. He froze, stunned by her answer.

Then he let out a scoff, a mocking sneer creeping across his face. "Fine. You brought this on yourself. Don't come crawling back crying when you can't survive out there."

Charlotte didn't say another word. She turned and walked out of the room, heading back to her small, drafty room.

The acceptance letter lay beside her pillow, its embossed lettering gleaming as the only beacon in the dark. She clutched it tight, holding onto her sole lifeline.

That night, she didn't sleep a wink.

*****

The next day, at the crack of dawn, the front door of the house swung open quietly.

Chapter 1

I got into a tier-1 elite university.

The day my acceptance letter arrived, my father Gregory Evans didn't look happy at all. Instead, he called me into his room.

"Two choices," he said, lighting a cigarette. "Either skip college, get married, and use your husband's money to buy a place for your brother, or take your crazy mom with you.

"You won't get a single cent from me. Cover your own tuition and living expenses yourself."

My brother Brandon Evans was nearby, scrolling through his phone without even looking up.

Outside in the yard, my mom Hazel Ford muttered to thin air, her hair a total mess.

I stared at the university's name on the envelope and took a deep breath. "Dad, I'm taking the second option."

He let out a sigh of relief, convinced I'd back down.

However, at dawn the next morning, I packed up Mom and headed out the door, leaving him frozen with my parting words.

*****

Charlotte Evans got accepted to one of the nation's most prestigious universities.

The postal worker rode his motorcycle out to the town's outskirts, stopping to ask locals for directions until he finally handed over the envelope.

The crisp, official-looking white envelope bore the school's embossed gold seal, its clean, formal design standing out sharply against the ordinary mail, and the sight of it made her heart race.

Neighbors from all over town crowded into her front yard to see what was going on, showering her with endless praise.

"Charlotte's made it big."

"The Evans family must have some serious good luck."

Gregory pushed through the crowd and took the letter from the postman, but there wasn't a hint of joy on his face.

Without a word, he turned on his heel and walked inside. All the cheers and congratulations seemed to hit an invisible wall at the threshold.

Charlotte's heart sank.

Brandon was wearing headphones, playing a game, and didn't look up. He muttered impatiently, "So noisy."

In the corner of the yard, Hazel was squatting on the ground, focused on sweeping at dust that wasn't even there with a stick.

Her hair was brittle, her gaze hollow, muttering words nobody could make out.

Everyone in the poor town called her the "crazy lady." She was also the rawest wound Charlotte carried.

*****

That night, Gregory called Charlotte into his room.

Under the dim yellow light, he lit up a cheap cigarette, and the room quickly filled with harsh smoke.

Charlotte lowered her gaze, her nails digging deep into her palms. She braced herself for what was coming next.

"I'm giving you two choices. Take your pick." Gregory took a slow drag and blew the smoke out. "Option one, skip college. I found a guy for you in the next town over.

"His family runs a factory, and he's an only child. Marry him, and the thirty-thousand-dollar wedding payout will cover Brandon's down payment."

Charlotte's head snapped up, staring at Gregory in utter disbelief. He was really planning to trade her away like she was some commodity.

Gregory avoided her gaze and kept talking.

"Option two." He paused, acting as though he were doing her a massive favor. "If you really insist on going to college, fine. Take your crazy mother with you.

"From here on out, figure out your own tuition, living expenses, and medical bills. I won't give you another dime."

The room was dead silent. Outside, you could hear Brandon cheering as he won another game. This was ironic.

Gregory looked at her, a hint of smug satisfaction in his eyes. He was convinced she'd go with the first choice.

A girl like her dragged a mentally unstable woman to college? That was basically impossible.

He figured she'd break down, throw a fit, or beg him.

But Charlotte didn't. She silently locked eyes with him, holding the stare so long that Gregory began to squirm.

Then a faint smile crossed her lips, subtle and cold, like winter ice giving way to spring. Her voice stayed eerily calm. "Dad, I'll take the second option."

A chunk of ash tumbled from Gregory's cigarette. He froze, stunned by her answer.

Then he let out a scoff, a mocking sneer creeping across his face. "Fine. You brought this on yourself. Don't come crawling back crying when you can't survive out there."

Charlotte didn't say another word. She turned and walked out of the room, heading back to her small, drafty room.

The acceptance letter lay beside her pillow, its embossed lettering gleaming as the only beacon in the dark. She clutched it tight, holding onto her sole lifeline.

That night, she didn't sleep a wink.

*****

The next day, at the crack of dawn, the front door of the house swung open quietly.