Chapter 3

I frowned, staring at Sarah.

She explained with a fake smile.

"If you don't pay rent, you're not entitled to use anything in this house."

"Either pay up now, or you'll pay me $4,500 every month from now on."

That's when I realized Sarah was serious. I said coldly,

"I'm not entitled? Don't forget, I'm the one paying the $3,500 mortgage every month."

"Many things in this house, I bought them!"

"And Chloe? She's been living off you since she graduated, sponging off us."

"You want rent and household expenses from me, why don't you ask her?"

Sarah instantly bristled.

"So what if you're paying the mortgage?

"The deed is in *my* name. This house has nothing to do with you."

"Besides, you paying the mortgage? That's just you repaying me for raising you, it's what you're supposed to do!"

"And what I'm asking for is wear-and-tear fees for the house, and my labor costs for cleaning your room, cooking for you, and doing your dishes."

"These are separate issues, don't you dare conflate them!"

"As for Chloe," Sarah suddenly stammered, fumbling for a while before finally saying, "Chloe is different from you!"

Faced with Sarah's twisted logic, my heart felt like it had been stuffed with broken glass, searing with pain.

"How is she different?"

"Aside from being two years younger than me, how is she different?"

I took a deep breath, suppressing the bitter turmoil in my chest.

Finally, I made my decision.

"Fine, let's keep matters separate."

"Then I'll just move out. You won't have any excuse to ask me for money then, right?"

"And... figure out the mortgage on your own from now on."

With that, I immediately turned and went back to my room to pack my things. I didn't want to stay in that house for another minute!

Sarah, furious, tried to grab my arm.

"You think you can just move in and out whenever you please? It doesn't work that way."

"If you insist on leaving, you'll pay me ten years of back rent and household expenses!"

I didn't want to argue needlessly with Sarah.

I pushed her away, turned my back, and started looking for my ID and passport in the bedside drawer.

Suddenly, Chloe screamed and rushed in, yelling.

"Sarah, what's wrong with you!"

I spun around. Sarah was clutching her chest, groaning in pain in Chloe's arms.