Don’t mess with me, I'm not your victim anymore!

They brought me back to their home—a simple two-bedroom apartment, with no extra bedroom available. I stood there, holding my things, feeling lost and uncertain.

Evelyn pointed to the couch. "That’s your bed! You can sleep there, but you better get up and clean up before six, or you’ll look like a mess!"

Just as I was about to make the bed, she quickly stopped me. "Wait! Go wash the laundry in the bathroom. It’s been sitting there for so long; it probably stinks by now."

My face darkened immediately, and I replied, "I didn’t come here to work."

Seeing me resist, she slapped me across the face, her voice harsh. "You little brat! If you're not here to work, are you planning on having me feed and house you for nothing?"

She yanked my ear and dragged me to the bathroom, shoving me next to the laundry bin with a glare. "This house is not yours to command!"

That night, at the dinner table, Evelyn had just set the food down. When she saw me about to sit in one of the chairs, she quickly pulled me aside. "Hey! What do you think you're doing?"

In one swift motion, she grabbed a bowl, threw some random vegetables into it, and handed it to me, waving her hand. "Go eat over there!"

I sat on the couch holding the bowl, tears streaming down my face.

Liam, seemingly annoyed by the noise, slammed his chopsticks on the table and yelled, "What are you crying about? You’re such a downer!"

Evelyn immediately placed a chicken leg on his plate, soothing him softly. "Good son, don’t mind her."

He immediately pouted and whined to Evelyn, "Mom! When are you sending her away? She’s so annoying to look at!"

Evelyn didn’t answer. I looked up and saw her locked in a silent stare with Aidan, her eyes filled with barely concealed malice.

That night, after making my bed and preparing to lie down, they came in.

Evelyn, suddenly sweet and soft, changed her tone. She gently started circling around me. "Elise, where’s Margaret’s insurance money?"

She hadn't shown an ounce of care for me, yet here she was, eyeing the insurance money.

Without turning around, I replied, "That’s for my education."

Aidan spoke up then. "The school’s already handled it for you. They’ve paid the tuition. The insurance money should be handed over to us for safekeeping."

I wasn’t dumb. Margaret’s insurance was more than enough for me to cover my schooling, and they had their own agenda.

I turned to face them. "The beneficiary of the insurance is me. I’m not giving it to you."

Evelyn was furious at my response, her face red with anger. "What do you mean, 'beneficiary'? I’m her daughter! That money belongs to me!"

I stayed silent, looking at her with a look of disdain, like she was a fool.

"Fine! Fine! Elise Winter, you really are something!" She pointed at me, her voice shaking with rage. "I’ll have you out of here by tomorrow!"

I exchanged a quick glance with Liam, who was behind the door, clearly pleased. I replied calmly, "No need for tomorrow. I’m leaving right now."

I quickly packed up the few things I had, and they kicked me out of the door.