Chapter 5

"Charlotte, I am ordering you! Wire that money right now!"

Margaret was shrieking hysterically into the receiver.

"Do it, or consider yourself no longer my daughter!"

I gripped my phone and walked over to the window.

I stared down at the dim, yellow glow of the streetlights below.

My voice was soft, yet carried a newfound, unshakable resolve.

"From the day you discarded me, you ceased to be my parents in my heart."

After saying this, I hung up the phone without waiting for her reply.

Then, I powered off the phone.

The world was instantly silent.

I didn't feel…