The Return of the Lonely Girl

"Why are you crying?" I asked.

Kyle quickly wiped his tears away and didn't respond, shrinking back a little.

Noticing his reaction, I pulled a piece of soft candy from my pocket and handed it to him.

"If something's bothering you, why not have some candy? It might make you feel better!"

With his messy hair, he scratched his head shyly and unwrapped the candy, popping it into his mouth.

Perhaps it was my concern or the sweetness of the candy, but gradually he calmed down and began to share his story.

Kyle was the eldest at seventeen, with younger siblings below him.

Despite their poverty, his family was filled with love and warmth.

I could sense the happiness in his voice and expression when he spoke about them.

However, the family's expenses were overwhelming. To help lighten their load, he had secretly come to work at the factory with his uncle, keeping it from his parents.

But yesterday, his father had fallen from scaffolding at work and was now home recovering, leaving Kyle feeling guilty.

"Some accidents are unavoidable," I said. "But we have to look forward. As long as we work hard, the future holds endless possibilities."

These words were meant to comfort him but also served to motivate me.

Even though my parents had passed away, as long as I held them in my heart, they would always be with me—my source of strength to keep going.

What did it matter if my stepfamily thrived on their cruelty?

Life changes; fortunes shift.

I was betting on that change.

After the last confrontation with my stepmother, things had quieted down a bit, allowing me to focus on work.

Kyle and I became good friends; during our off-hours, we would set up stalls at the night market to earn some extra cash.

Since the factory only provided dormitory accommodation for a year, we decided to share a small two-bedroom apartment.

But then my stepfather and stepmother learned about our living arrangement and stormed into our home one day, furious.

They banged on the door loudly while Kyle was out buying groceries.

"Emma! Come out! I know you're in there!"

My stepfather shouted angrily, spewing insults. "You shameless girl, just like your mother!"

I shot back defiantly, "You're the one who betrayed her!"

Hearing my voice seemed to fuel my stepmother's rage.

"You worthless piece of trash! I'll tear your mouth apart!"

With a loud crash, my stepfather kicked open the door and they both barged in, pinning me down.

He swiftly unbuckled his belt and began whipping me across the back mercilessly; each strike felt like it could break me.

"You and your money belong to the Hunter family! You think you can live your own life? Not a chance!"

My stepmother joined in with her hands too, leaving bruises all over me as she cursed at me relentlessly.

"You little brat! You got away last time; this time you won't escape!"

I struggled against their weight but felt powerless against their strength.

My face swelled from slaps; my eyes were blackened and blood trickled from my lips as I lay on the floor in pain.

They ransacked the house, turning everything upside down and taking all the cash they could find—mine and Kyle's included.

Before leaving, my stepmother spat at me in disgust. "Pfft! This little amount isn't even enough for Ethan's treatment."

"Get together fifty thousand dollars fast or be prepared to be sold off!" she threatened before storming out.

As Kyle walked in carrying groceries, he rushed over and helped me up.

When he learned it was my stepparents' doing, he immediately grabbed an iron rod, ready to charge out, but I stopped him with a loud shout.

I gently wiped the blood from the corner of my mouth, a murderous glint in my eyes.

"Kyle, wanna pull off something big with me?"

His grip tightened on the rod as he firmly nodded.

The revenge plan was officially underway.

Stepparents, prepare to face my crazy retaliation!