Like a Phoenix Rising From the Ashes, Soaring in the Sky

For a decade, my mother selflessly supported Martha Allen, a struggling tenant who collected trash to raise her disabled son, Joe. We never expected anything in return for our charity. However, everything changes the moment I turn eighteen. Instead of showing gratitude, Martha begins relentlessly pressuring my mother to force me to drop out of school. Now, our years of kindness are met with an unexpected betrayal that threatens my entire future plans.

Chapters

Chapter 2

I forced down the fury bubbling inside me and responded with a cold laugh. "Sure, thanks, Martha."

Hearing that, Martha couldn't hide the excitement in her voice. "Don't mention it. I'll be waiting for you."

After hanging up, I headed straight home.

...

The hallway on the first floor of our apartment building was always cluttered with piles of garbage and junk, all thanks to Martha Allen. In the sweltering summer heat, the stench was particularly overwhelming.

As usual, the hallway was filled with the voices of several women complaining loudly. This had been a constant issue, with many tenants having complained to my mom, asking her to do something about it. As the landlord, my mom was at a loss. Every time she tried to talk to Martha about it, Martha would shrug it off.

"There's nothing wrong with the smell. I live on the first floor, too, and I don't notice anything. These women just look down on me because I collect junk. They're trying to force me out, but you're too kind-hearted to let them bully me, aren't you, Mrs. Shields?"

After multiple failed attempts to reason with her, my mom ran out of ideas. She ended up asking the tenants to bear with it and even reduced their rent to keep the peace. However, this lack of action only emboldened Martha, making her even more arrogant and overbearing. It also caused the tenants to grow increasingly frustrated with my mom.

In the past, whenever I overheard them gossiping about my mom, I'd get angry and argue with them. But now, as I listened to their voices, a brilliant plan began to form in my mind.

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