Livestreaming the Low-Budget Life

Dad belittled me on the live stream, twisting everything to make himself look right. His hypocrisy left me reeling.

Ever since I realized that everything I said and did in the apartment was being livestreamed, I stopped spending time at home. I went to school during the day and worked part-time after class.

I'd rather sit outside my apartment building, reading under the dim yellow light, than go back to that apartment full of hidden cameras.

I pulled out my phone and tapped the live stream link, noticing a new post from the streamer.

"On SAT day, we'll be going live outside the school when Aria, raised in hardship, returns to the villa. Don't forget to donate generously!"

Comments started flooding in almost immediately.

"I can't wait to see her face when she realizes her family is rich."

"She's going to be over the moon. Finally, she's a wealthy girl in every sense."

"Not so fast. She might be crushed for a long time. Six years of living in poverty… why did she have to go through that?"

A sneer curled on my lips. There was no way I'd let their plan succeed.

On the day of the exam, I would be boarding a plane to Delvoria. And this whole game? In the end, I'd be the one pulling the strings, turning the tables on them instead.

…

I didn't spend a single moment studying for the SAT. Every ounce of my energy went into preparing the paperwork to go abroad.

I called Dad, hoping he could come home and keep me company for a few days before the exam. I deliberately asked, "Dad, can I see Ruby after the exam?"

He agreed without hesitation, patting my shoulder. "Of course. Once it's over, I'll take you to see your mom and Ruby."

I forced a small smile, pretending to be excited, and carried the soup I'd been simmering in the kitchen over. "Dad, you've been sick. You need something nourishing. I made this just for you."

He was deeply moved when he saw the soup.

I set a stack of papers in front of him as he sipped slowly. "Dad, you've been sick. You shouldn't have to deal with debt collectors all the time. I don't want it weighing on you. I can't bear to watch you suffer.

"That's why I'm taking all your debts onto myself. I'll earn the money to pay them off. But first, we need to sever our family ties. Once you sign this, all the debts will be mine."

Dad didn't even look at the papers. He just signed after listening to me.

"You've been too kind to me, Aria. Once I start making money, I'll make it up to you, I promise."

I smiled and nodded, telling him to take care of his health.

He had no idea that what he'd just signed wasn't only the papers severing our family ties. It was also the agreement for the high-interest loans I was taking out in his name.

…

Early on the morning of the SAT, I slung my backpack over my shoulder and walked out the door, just like any other day. No one watching the live stream would have noticed anything was off.

But I wasn't going to school. I was headed to the airport.

I had nothing left to take from this apartment. I snapped my SIM card in two and tossed it in the trash, replacing it with a new one.

A new life was about to begin.

Between my part-time earnings, the scholarship, and the ten million dollars I'd taken out in Dad's name on a high-interest loan, I had enough to get by in Delvoria for now.

Once I landed, I'd find an apartment and settle in.

Two days earlier, Dad asked me where I'd be taking the SAT. I just gave him my school name without hesitation.

I knew Mom and Dad planned to wait outside the school after my last exam. It wasn't just them. Everyone watching the live stream was waiting for this day.

They expected to see it all—my surprise, my shock, maybe even tears.

But too bad for them. I was going to disappoint them. They'd never get to see it.