The Family Game

Just as I finished speaking, Jacob, who had been holed up in his room the whole time, piped up.

"Dad, Mom, how come there’s no gold or cash in Emily’s suitcase—just clothes?"

Robert and Margaret’s faces changed instantly, their eyes darting to me in disbelief.

"What did you say? You don’t have money?"

I nodded, avoiding their gaze.

"My adoptive parents didn’t want me reconnecting with you, but I insisted. They got so angry they cut ties with me."

With every word I spoke, their expressions grew darker.

"They kicked me out, took back all my bank cards, and told me never to come back."

"Cut ties?!"

Robert shot to his feet, pointing a finger at me.

"Are you insane? All that money—you couldn’t fight for it? You couldn’t cause a scene?!"

Margaret’s expression twisted, the earlier friendliness gone.

"Are you stupid? Go back right now and ask them for more money before you come back! Otherwise, you can die out there for all I care!"

Her last sentence stabbed me right in the heart.

Tears welled in my eyes as I looked at her quietly.

"Mom… are you not happy I came back? Is money the only reason you’d want to see me? And… was I really taken by human traffickers back then?"

She didn’t even flinch, grabbing my arm and yanking me toward the door.

"Get out! I thought I could get something out of you—wasted a whole meal on you for nothing!"

I stumbled after her, trying to pull back.

"Mom, it’s already dark out. I really have nowhere to go."

"Not my problem!" She spat the words at me.

"You think you can keep freeloading here? Get out and stay out!"

Rachel and my two younger sisters rushed over, crying and begging Margaret not to throw me out.

But Robert picked up the wooden stick again, and they fell silent, red-eyed but unable to help.

My gaze swept over them, then fixed on my parents’ twisted faces.

"I’m your biological daughter. Can you really throw me out like this? At night? I don’t know my way around here—what if there are wild animals in the mountains?"

They were unmoved. My heart turned cold.

"Fine. I’ll go."

I packed my things and walked to the door without a word.

But just as I stepped outside, Margaret’s voice stopped me.

"Wait—you can stay."

Relief flickered in my chest, but her next words shoved me straight into hell again.

"Didn’t you say that man was willing to pay ten thousand to marry one of our girls? This one’s young and pretty—should be worth more."

Goosebumps crawled over my skin, and I instinctively tried to run.

But Robert was faster. He grabbed me and tied me up.

"Good thinking, Margaret—almost lost a gold mine."

My blood ran cold.

"Dad, Mom, are you really going to do this? I gave up everything to find you."

"That widower’s fifty, sure, but he’s got a bit of money."

Robert tied me to a wooden post as he spoke. "You’ll live a good life with him."

"I’m not marrying him!" I trembled all over. "He’s old enough to be my father!"

"It’s not your choice!"

He yanked the rope hard, making me cry out in pain.

Suddenly, Rachel ran forward and grabbed his arm, her voice shaking.

"Dad, let Emily go. I’ll marry him instead."

But Robert shoved her away in disgust.

"Don’t meddle. Just get back to work."