2.3%
Chapter 4
Chapter 4
That evening, Mom, Dad, Noah, and Emma brought me leftovers.
“Riley, we brought you something tasty!” Emma bounced over, nearly bumping into my IV line.
I raised my arm high to avoid her movement.
Everyone froze.
I gave a bitter smile. There I went being difficult again.
To make up for it, I quickly took the food and said: “Great, I’m starving.” Then I forced a smile.
They nodded, but their expressions still showed displeasure.
I had been hungry for too long, so even though it was just leftovers, the food still tasted delicious.
Minutes later, having wolfed down the food, I hid under the covers and cautiously said: “Thank you for bringing me to the hospital.”
I tried to mimic Emma’s cheerful tone, desperately trying to make myself more likable.
But they exchanged glances and left without a word.
“Acting like we’re mistreating you or something,” Noah muttered, slamming the door behind him.
I flinched, pulling the covers over my head. The darkness made me feel even more suffocated.
Because of my appearance and age, I couldn’t find any legitimate part–time work.
After leaving the hospital, I started collecting bottles in my spare time.
One day, I was sweating profusely as I dug through a pile of garbage. Beneath the stench of fish bones and rotten vegetables, I finally found a plastic
bottle.
Suddenly, I heard Emma’s voice nearby. My heart skipped a beat, I pulled my cap down further.
“Mom, I really want that doll. It’s only fifty dollars. Please buy it for me?” Emma cuddled against Mom. Noah stood beside them, watching indulgently.
Hmph…
Wasn’t Emma also whining for things? Yet she was never called immature.
I quickly grabbed the bottle, wanting to leave.
Suddenly, they spotted me. Under their gaze, I anxiously tugged at my sleeves, trying to feel more secure.
“Look–if you don’t study hard, you’ll end up like that person someday,” Mom said, pointing at me.
I breathed a sigh of relief–they hadn’t recognized me.
To keep warm, I’d found several coats and hats from the garbage, covering myself completely.
Emma nodded and hugged Mom’s neck. “I’ll make money when I grow up and buy you a big house, Mom. I’ll never be like that homeless person!”
They walked away laughing, only Noah didn’t laugh. He turned back and stared at me intently.
The next day, when I was collecting bottles again, he appeared in front of me and deliberately crushed a plastic bottle under his foot.
12:48
Burnt Beauty, Family Beasts
2.8%
་
Chapter 4
“What are you doing?” I asked, staring at the crushed bottle.
He smiled. “Looking like this every day, you’re embarrassing our family. I won’t allow it!”
Then he snatched my bag full of plastic bottles and cans and gave it to an old woman who was also scavenging nearby. The old woman’s eyes darted back and forth as she accepted the bag. “Thank you,” she said. Then, afraid I might take it back, she scurried away.
I angrily grabbed at Noah’s sleeve, but he shook me off in disgust.
That was my meal money for the day–the few dollars I made from collecting bottles each day barely bought me some bread, pickles, and water. At least it filled my stomach.
With this gone, I would go hungry again. Unable even to drink water, I’d have to lap up dirty water from the ground again.
“I’m earning money through my own labor. What right do you have to look down on me?” I cried.
“Our family raised an ungrateful brat who only cares about money and has no sense of family! How many days has it been, and you haven’t come home to see us? Is it so hard to come back and apologize?” Noah was angry too, frowning as he spoke,
“It was never my fault. I never did anything wrong!” I screamed, howling like a madwoman, shouting until my entire chest felt like it was being torn apart. Then I collapsed on the ground, exhausted, the anger making my head throb violently.
“It wasn’t my fault!” I clutched my head, repeating the words.
desper
“Is it really that serious? Are you that desperate for money? Fighting over a few lousy bottles,” Noah stared at me in disbelief.
But those “lousy” pennies he despised were keeping me alive.
After a long silence, he dropped a final comment: “Anyway, I won’t let you keep embarrassing our family like this! No way!”
From then on, Noah kept watching me, preventing me from collecting bottles.
I was so starving that I could barely walk two steps without feeling like I might pass out.
But suddenly, things took a turn.
♡ (0)
(0)
