In Torrential Rain, Eccentric Parents Reveal Their True Colors

"Alicia, what are you doing moving things around in the middle of the night?"

I calmly canceled the button for the thirty-first floor and pressed the fifth floor instead.

"I'm just preparing since you're coming over."

I stepped forward, linking my arm with Mom's, and smiled brightly, trying to sound casual, "There's nothing to eat at home. I didn't have time to tidy up, so I went out to buy some goodies to treat you."

When my parents heard that, the smiles on their faces grew even bigger.

If it weren't for what I had gone through in my last life, I would have believed they were truly happy to see me.

They didn't notice anything unusual.

They just grumbled about how I was wasting money again as they followed me inside.

Last time, when they came over...

I thought I was the host and they were the guests.

So I willingly gave them the master bedroom and let my brother have the second bedroom.

I made my bed out on the balcony.

And I was quite pleased with myself, thinking I was being a dutiful daughter.

I completely ignored the fact that if they cared about me, they would have considered whether it was appropriate for their daughter to sleep on a balcony.

The balcony wasn't well insulated, and the blanket I slept under always felt damp.

Even though it was June, every night felt bitterly cold to me.

Within just two months, I felt uncomfortable all over.

Once we were inside, I warmly invited them to sit wherever they liked.

After that, I stopped talking, quietly packing up the fruit I had intended to take up to the thirty-first floor.

My brother, Randy Duarte, dropped his stuff and began wandering around the house, critiquing my decoration as he went.

I pretended not to notice their subtle moves.

Once I was finished, I yawned and said, "Mom, Dad, I've been working overtime, and I'm exhausted. Just feel yourself at home."

Standing by the master bedroom door, I pointed to the side.

"The second bedroom is over there. You can decide how you want to sleep. There are blankets in the closet. I'm going to take a shower and head to bed."

Mom opened her mouth as if she wanted to say something, but I lowered my eyes and shut the door.

The next day, I deliberately stayed in bed until late morning.

Back at home, I had never realized that my mom was always gaslighting me.

She used to say that girls should learn to do more, to be more responsible, so that one day when they married, their in-laws would respect them.

Because I had grown up with that kind of teaching, I never thought there was anything wrong with it.

So, at home, I was always willing to take on all the chores, taking care of everyone while doting on my brother as well.

By the time I finished washing up and came out, they were already sitting at the table, eating breakfast.

As soon as she saw me, Mom enthusiastically waved me over.

"Alicia, come eat! I made your favorite food.

"And look, I brought this sausage from back home just for you."

I glanced at the table, which was filled with dishes that Randy liked, and said nothing.

I picked up my knife and fork and started devouring the food.

A flicker of surprise crossed my Mom's face.

I laughed coldly to myself. So, she knew all along that I didn't like this food.

She had always known.

But people could change.

In the last life, when food became scarce...

Mom secretly rationed my meals, while I worried they wouldn't have enough to eat.

Every time I barely ate, I would say I was full.

They never bothered to check if I was full. As long as her precious son was well-fed, everything was just fine.

This time, I wasn't going to burn myself out just to keep others warm.

After nearly two months of going hungry, everything tasted good.

And it had been a long time since I had eaten such delicious home-cooked food.

These past two weeks had been so hectic. Whenever I got hungry, I would just grab a piece of bread to get by.

I had only just finished all the work late last night.

Thinking about everything I had stashed away upstairs...

I felt more secure than I ever had before.