I wanted a home where I could be myself without any pretenses. I wanted somewhere I would not have to walk on eggshells around other people.

Reality struck me square in the face.

Some people were simply born with a safety net.

They could earn a low salary or even fail to make money because their parents would always have their backs.

In my case, no matter how hard I tried, I could not even get a fair start.

I took a deep breath, picked up my phone, and sent a message.

[Mr. Jenkins, I’m willing to take on that overseas project you mentioned.]

...

By the time I returned home, it was already the early hours of the morning.

To my surprise, the living room lights were still on. My parents were sitting rigidly on the couch. They even had dark expressions on their faces.

Daphne was nestled close to our mother. Her eyes were red and puffy, as if she had just been crying.

My father was the first to speak.

He said harshly, “Oh, so you finally decided to come home?”

I wearily slipped off my high heels. My ankles were painfully swollen.

Even so, I patiently explained, “I had a work function. The client was a nightmare. I couldn’t get out of it.”

“A work function? All you ever do is go out and party. What kind of behavior is that for a young woman?”

My mother patted Daphne’s back soothingly. When she turned to me, her demeanor shifted. She looked at me hostilely.

“Look at Daffie. The minute she has free time, she’s here with us. But you? Coming home in the dead of night. Disturbing our rest is one thing, but tomorrow is Daffie’s birthday party. How do you expect us to prepare properly with you carrying on like this?”

I stood there, stunned. The alcohol had dulled my thoughts, but I could clearly feel the ache in my heart.

“I was out there working...” I tried to explain.

“Working? You call drinking with men ‘work’?”

My father slammed his hand on the table as he shot to his feet.

“Do you have any idea how upset Daffie is today? She posted something really important on Instagram, and you, her own sister, couldn’t even hit the ‘like’ button? Are you jealous of her?”

Daphne looked up at me. Her eyes glistened with tears.

“Sis, I know you’re busy. But I was honestly so happy about getting the apartment today. I just wanted to share that with my family. Do you... not approve of me buying a place of my own?”

I was struck by her sheer absurdity.

I murmured, “I’ve just been really swamped—”

My mother scoffed. “Too swamped to take two seconds to tap the ‘like’ button?

“You’ve always been like this. Ever since you were little, you couldn’t stand seeing your sister happy.”

Her words hit me like a ton of bricks.

Long-buried memories came flooding back.

In middle school, I came first in the entire grade. My parents completely missed my parent-teacher conference because Daphne had taken a minor tumble.

They did not attend my high school graduation ceremony. They had been busy accompanying Daphne on a shopping trip for a new dress.

Every birthday, I received nothing more than a simple cake. Meanwhile, Daphne’s birthdays were always lavish, over-the-top celebrations.

“I couldn’t stand to see her happy?” I repeated. My voice began to tremble.

“Then why did I pinch pennies to buy her the latest smartphone?

“Then why did I send her money the second she said she was short every single time?

“Then why did I hop on an overnight train the moment I heard she was sick to take care of her?”

The more I spoke, the more agitated I became. The grievances I had suppressed for so many years finally burst through the dam.

“Have you ever stopped to think why Daphne gets to be around you all the time?

“It’s because she doesn’t have to work her fingers to the bone just to survive. She’s got a house with her name on it, and that’s her safety net.

“And me? I’m grinding myself into the ground in this city, and I can’t even afford a broom closet!”

Hearing my words, my father nodded knowingly. His expression suggested he had expected this all along.

“There it is. There’s the truth. It’s finally out.” He raised his voice and said, “You’re just jealous we bought Daffie a house!

“You’re capable. You could make it on your own. Shouldn’t an older sister know how to share?”

I laughed, but tears streamed down my face uncontrollably.

“I’ve been sharing for over twenty years! I shared my childhood, I shared my youth, and now I’m supposed to give up the love and fairness I actually deserve?”

I looked at my parents.

“Do you want to know why I’m getting home so late tonight? A client forced me to down an entire bottle of hard liquor. I was in the washroom puking my guts out.

“And while I was out there breaking my back, I saw my own sister showing off the apartment you bought her. It’s the one I’ve been working really hard to afford but will never, ever have!

Daphne stood up and said in a shrill voice, “Lina, how can you talk to Mom and Dad like that? They’ve sacrificed so much to raise us—”

I could not stand her acting innocently while reaping all the benefits, so I cut her off mid-sentence.

“Sacrificed? Yeah, they sacrificed so hard they gave you every ounce of love and every penny they had, while I had to go fend for myself!”

My mother trembled with rage.

“Lina, you disappoint us so much! We wasted our efforts in raising you!”

I wiped the tears from my face and felt a strange sense of calm wash over me.

“Yeah, you wasted them. Starting today, just pretend you never had me as a daughter.”

I turned and walked toward my room to pack my things.

My parents and Daphne stood there frozen. They had not expected me to be so resolute.

“Lina, please don’t do this.”

Daphne timidly reached out to stop me.

I shook off her hand coldly.

“Tomorrow’s your birthday party. I’ll sit this one out. I don’t want to ruin the mood.”

My father stood motionless. He was too angry to say anything. His lips trembled.

My mother began to cry, but her sobbing sounded insincere to me.

...

I worked day and night preparing the documents for my departure abroad in my friend’s cramped guest room.

Mr. Jenkins affirmed my decision but also emphasized the hardship and long-term nature of the overseas assignment.

The project was located in a sparsely populated area of Northern Civitas, with a duration of at least two years.

That suited me perfectly. Distance was exactly what I needed most at that moment.

The company was rather surprised by my decision. Some speculated that I was motivated by the generous overseas allowance and the promotion that would follow upon my return.

Only I knew the truth. I was fleeing a place called “home,” a place that had never given me the warmth it should have.

My phone kept getting calls.

My mother’s initial calls came charged with anger.

“Lina, are you done with this little tantrum? Get home and apologize to your sister. Now.

“How could you skip Daphne’s birthday party? All the relatives are asking where you are.”

I listened calmly. When she finished, I replied briefly, “I’m swamped with work. I don’t have time. Also, from now on, don’t bother telling me about anything involving Daphne.”

I hung up.

My father also tried reaching out. His tone was softer, but he was also calling for the same reason.

“Lina, I know you’re hurt. But come on, families fight. Be sensible. You shouldn’t hold grudges forever.

“Daphne is younger. Of course, we’re going to look out for her a little more. You’re the mature one. Just let it go.”

I corrected him.

“What I can’t let go of is the constant unfairness. I’m not just throwing a simple tantrum. I mean this.

“From now on, I will be in charge of my own money and my own life. What happens in this family is no longer my problem.”

With that, I hung up directly and set their numbers to Do Not Disturb.

Daphne’s messages came flooding in and bombarded my phone.

“Lina, do you have to tear this family apart?

“Mom and Dad are getting old. Can’t you cut them some slack?

“Do you think you’re so special just because you decided to leave? Well, this family doesn’t even need you.”

I felt indifferent when I read those messages. If anything, I almost found them amusing.

Those words used to cut deep. But not anymore. They just sound empty.

I did not reply to any of her messages. I simply left the “Happy Family” WhatsApp group.

In that space, I had always been an outsider. They were the ones in their happy little bubble.

The moment I exited the group, an unprecedented sense of relief washed over me. It felt as though I had finally shed a heavy yoke I had been carrying for years.

Just as I had anticipated, the moment I completely cut off their financial support, everyone in my family started to panic.

In the past, although my salary was not very high, I consistently transferred money home each month.

I covered Daphne’s incidental expenses which amounted to a significant, steady financial drain.

That income had vanished abruptly.

Compounded by the fact that purchasing that luxury apartment for Daphne had nearly depleted our family’s savings, their financial situation became immediately precarious.

No matter how they tried to contact me, I completely ignored them.

I knew this seemed cruel. But compared to over two decades of their dual exploitation, both emotional and financial, this level of “cruelty” was merely necessary self-preservation.

I needed to make them understand, clearly and unequivocally, that the old me, the one who meekly submitted and gave endlessly, was gone.

The current me had only one regret, which was not having fought back sooner.

I still had some time before my departure abroad. I also knew they would never easily let go of their “cash cow.”

Sure enough, after failing to reach me, they took matters a step further and showed up directly at my company.

The moment I stepped into the office building, I felt strange looks directed at me from all sides. Whispers buzzed around my ears like flies.

The receptionist glanced at me with sympathy. Her expression suggested she wanted to say something, but hesitated.

Once she confirmed no one else was nearby, she quietly stopped me.

“Lina, your family stopped by earlier. It got pretty ugly. Mr. Jenkins wants to see you in his office as soon as you arrive.”

My heart sank.

So they had finally come, and they had chosen the approach most capable of toppling me. They were targeting my workplace, potentially destroying my future right where I had built it.

I took a deep breath and walked toward Mr. Jenkins’ office.

...

Unexpectedly, Mr. Jenkins was not alone in his office.

Both my parents and Daphne were there.

My mother’s eyes were swollen and red from crying.

My father’s face was grim.

Daphne looked at me with an expression of wounded innocence and reproach.

Mr. Jenkins’ expression was stern.

“Lina, your family is worried about you. I hope you can resolve your personal matters and not let them affect your work.”

My mother immediately stood up and grabbed my hand.

“Lina, come home with me. Whatever’s going on, we’ll talk about it there.”

“Home?” I repeated the word softly. I found it utterly ironic.

“Which home? The one where Daphne’s always the center of attention?”

My father snapped, “Do you have to embarrass us here?”

“Who’s the one being embarrassing?” I retorted.

“The daughter who’s trying to build a career, or the family showing up to make a scene at her office?”

Daphne jumped in, her voice dripping with righteous indignation.

“Lina, how can you talk about Mom and Dad like that? They sacrificed so much raising us—”

“Yeah. They sure did,” I cut her off.

“That’s why you got all the good parts.”

Mr. Jenkins cleared his throat and said, “Lina, this overseas project is a big deal for the company. I can’t have personal matters affecting our reputation.”

I turned to Mr. Jenkins and said resolutely, “Don’t worry, I won’t let personal matters get in the way of work. I’m leaving in a week, and I’m just wrapping up the handover now.”

“Overseas project? Where are you going?” My mother, who was slow to catch on, finally thought to ask.

“I’m going to Northern Civitas for two years,” I answered briefly.

“Two years? How could you make a decision like that without even talking to us?” My father raised his voice.

“Talk to you? Like you talked to me before buying the house?”

The room went dead silent.

I looked at my family and felt a strange sense of calm wash over me.

All the grievances and anger that had once kept me awake at night had settled into quiet resolve.

“Mr. Jenkins, please give me ten minutes to handle this,” I requested.

Mr. Jenkins nodded, stood up, and left the office. He gently closed the door behind him.

The moment the door clicked shut, my mother could not hold back her question any longer.

“Lina, what exactly do you want? Will you only be satisfied when this family falls apart?”

“It fell apart a long time ago,” I said softly.

“It fell apart the moment you played favorites. It fell apart the moment you acted as if I owed you everything I gave.”