Margaret peeled me an orange. "Your brother’s about to start middle school. You think tuition and tutoring fees are free? Your father and I can’t dig gold out of our tiny patch of land. If Rachel doesn’t go out to earn money, the whole family will be starving."
At her words, Rachel lowered her head and twisted her fingers.
I couldn’t see her face, but I saw her dry, thin hands covered in cracks.
"But—"
"No buts."
This time it was Robert who spoke, puffing on his pipe until the corner was thick with smoke.
"You think everyone’s as lucky as you, getting adopted by rich people? Rachel’s not a kid anymore. I raised her this far—shouldn’t she make some money for her parents?"
He glanced at Rachel, his tone casual.
"If you don’t want to work, fine. I’ve found you a good match. In a small town east of here, there’s a man whose wife just died. He’s willing to pay ten thousand dollars as a dowry payment."
Rachel’s eyes widened in fear, and she shook her head violently. "Dad, I don’t want to get married. I’ll work!"
Hearing them speak and seeing her reaction sent a chill down my spine.
This was nothing like the home I’d imagined.
While I sat there stunned, Lily, who had been quiet the whole time, finally spoke up.
Her voice was timid, as if she had gathered all her courage.
"Dad, Mom… the day after tomorrow, I don’t want to go work with Rachel. I want to keep studying…"
"Studying?"
Margaret let out a cold laugh. "What’s the point of a girl studying so much? Just wasting the money your brother needs to get married! I’m telling you—day after tomorrow, you’re going to the factory with Rachel, no arguments."
"I won’t…"
Her voice broke into sobs. "My grades are good. My teacher says I can get into a top high school, and then maybe a good university!"
"Easy for you to say!"
Margaret shot to her feet and grabbed Lily’s face hard. "Is that why I let you study this long? So you could learn to talk back to your parents?!"
Lily cried out in pain but still refused to lower her head.
Robert picked up a wooden stick from the side and raised it toward her back.
My heart lurched. I rushed forward, pulling her into my arms.
"Dad, Mom, let’s talk about this! Lily’s doing so well in school—let her keep studying. If she graduates from college, she can get a good job and help support the family."
Robert lowered the stick, and Margaret sat back on the couch, though her expression was still dark.
"That’s all well and good, but you see our situation. How can we afford her high school tuition and boarding fees? That’s a lot of money."
At the mention of money, their expressions changed instantly, and they looked at me expectantly.
I knew this moment was coming.
Robert rubbed his hands together and sat down beside me.
"Did your parents send anything for us? Or… did you bring us a gift?"
Margaret jumped in quickly.
"Yes—look at this old house. It’s long overdue for rebuilding. And your brother will need money for college, a job, a house, a wedding… You’ll have to help us out a lot."
"Your parents are so rich—even if they just give us a tiny bit, it’d be enough for us to live on for the rest of our lives."
Even though I’d braced myself, their words still chilled me.
So all that affection and warmth earlier had come with conditions.
There was no guilt, no love—only calculation.
If I hadn’t been adopted by William and Elizabeth, I’d be living Sarah’s and Rachel’s lives right now.
I took a deep breath, my voice hardening.
"Dad, Mom… I can’t help you. I don’t have a single cent."
