Chapter 5

I wanted to be valued instead of being seen as a cash machine at their beck and call.

I didn't reply to his text.

I just blocked that new number too.

Just like the others, it went straight to my blocked list.

I betted he was off complaining to Mom and Dad.

He'd whine about how cold and heartless I was.

He'd whine about how I'd ignored him.

I could even imagine the three of them sitting together, harshly criticizing me.

But my heart didn't feel a thing.

Inside the office, sunlight poured through the window.

It bathed my desk in light, warm and bright.

I picked up my phone and opened up a rental app.

I decided to find a larger space that was truly my own, a place where I could finally let my guard down and truly relax.

For the past ten years, I had been stuck in a tiny rental, pinching every dollar each month to send it all back to that bottomless pit they called home.

But now?

I didn't have to pinch every penny anymore.

My money should be spent on actually improving my quality of life.

I was done letting anyone else run my life.

I carefully browsed through the rental listings, searching for the perfect place that would finally be mine.

I couldn't help but feel excited about what the future might hold.

When I got home that night, my phone was completely silent. Not a single call or text came through.

Maybe they'd given up for now.

Or maybe they were brewing something bigger, a stronger attack.

But now, none of that bothered me anymore.

I finished my nightly routine, applied a face mask, and queued up a show I'd been following for ages.

I was finally savoring a peace and freedom I hadn't felt in forever.

It felt so good.

This was how life should be.

My lips curled into a smile.

On the third day, the storm I'd expected never hit all of a sudden.

Instead, it was strangely peaceful.

My phone was dead silent, no annoying texts or calls.

The family group chat was dead silent too.

It was as if I'd vanished from their world, like I was never even part of the family.

This quiet was a bit unexpected.

But it just made me even more sure of myself.

Sooner or later, they would realize I was no longer the same Emily, the person they could boss around.

I betted Jason must be losing his mind.

After all, Mom and Dad's so-called "urgent cash needs" and Dad's "high blood pressure act" drained the cash.

And I was always the one paying for everything.

But now, the weight was all on him, the so-called "dependable son" they always bragged about.

So what was Jason gonna do now?

Hit up his friends for money?

Try to get a loan from the bank?

Or would he finally have to swallow his pride and come to me?

I couldn't care less.

Whatever he did got nothing to do with me anymore.

During afternoon tea, I invited a close friend from the office.

We sat together in a café, chatted about everything under the sun, and caught up on work.

She looked me up and down.

She said, "Emily, you're glowing lately.

"You look like a weight's been lifted off your shoulders."

I gave a little smile.

"Yeah? Maybe it's just because I haven't been staying up late lately," I replied.

I didn't tell her about the family drama.

Because all that stuff was all in the past.

My friend had no clue about the family drama I was dealing with.

She only knew I was a hard worker, and a girl with a positive attitude.

Her compliment really made my day.

At least away from home, I could finally live life on my own terms, instead of being Emily, weighed down by family burdens.

Then it hit me.

There were still some things I'd wanted to buy for myself.

I used to hesitate, always saving my money for the family.

I kept putting it off.

But now I didn't have to hesitate anymore.

I opened up my shopping app.

I finally picked out that dress I'd been wanting forever.

Then I treated myself to a set of luxury skincare products.

Finally, I could spend my money on myself.

This freedom was more valuable than any wealth, and no amount of money could ever compare.

When I got home that night, the place felt peaceful.

I took a hot shower.

Then I slipped into the new dress I'd just bought.

I stood in front of the mirror, smiling with a steady, confident gaze. I had never loved myself this much before.

My phone lit up again.

This time, it wasn't a call or a WhatsApp message; it was a bank notification: my paycheck had just been deposited.

Seeing those numbers sitting in my balance, I felt a wave of security and satisfaction wash over me.

Every last penny was earned through my own hard work.