Chapter 244

Melinda’s sudden sobbing took Anastasia off guard. “Melinda, what’s wrong? What’s going on? Please, don’t cry.” Anastasia said. She handed Melinda a tissue and tried to wipe away her tears.

Unable to hold back her emotions, the moment Melinda hung up the phone, all her grievances poured out like a burst dam. Everything she had been working and fighting for seemed like a cruel joke. It was as if a string she had been tensing for years had suddenly snapped.

Melinda cried uncontrollably, drawing a few side-eyes from other customers in the shop.

Pattie, the wise little girl, tried to wipe Melinda’s tears away with her tiny hand, “Don’t cry. I’ll give you a sweet.”

She didn’t really know how to comfort people, but she was willing to share her candy. In Pattie’s world, having sweets always cheered her up.

Pattie unwrapped a sweet, and Melinda, unable to say no to the little girl, popped it in her mouth. She sobbed silently as she tasted the sweetness, which was a stark contrast to the bitterness in her heart.

She was no longer a three-year-old child who could be placated with a piece of candy. The sweeter the candy, the more bitter she felt inside.

“My parents just bought a house in the county and didn’t even tell me. They used my money to buy my brother his wedding house. They set the wedding date without telling me. What the hell am I to them?”

Melinda exploded, “Am I just an ATM to them? For years, I’ve been footing the bill for everything at home. They’ve squeezed me dry.”

Hearing this, Anastasia felt a surge of anger for Mélinda. Melinda might have seemed to be living the high life, but in reality, she was beaten and bruised, drained dry by her own family.

After a long while of comforting her, Melinda finally calmed down. Seeing Melinda in such a state, Anastasia didn’t dare to ask anything else.

Melinda wasn’t in the mood for tea anymore, so they ended their afternoon tea early. Anastasia hailed a cab for Melinda. Watching the cab drive away. she stood on the bustling street with Pattie, pondering that every family had its set of problems.

Back in her shared flat, Melinda seemed dazed. Her flatmate noticed her looking down and asked, “Melinda, what’s wrong? Is something bothering you?”

“Nothing.” Melinda replied flatly, not wanting to talk about it.

Her flatmate, who had often accompanied her to the Neon Dreams club, suddenly remembered something, “Melinda, your friend from last time, she seemed familiar. Wasn’t she the one who helped you confront that Mr. Winchester?”

Melinda sat on the couch, absentmindedly scrolling through her phone, “Hmm.”

“That’s why she seemed familiar. I just remembered something. That night, I saw your friend rushing out of Mr. Winchester’s private room and heading to the rooftop. I followed her, and you won’t believe what I saw. She was with Mr. Salstrom from Elysian Technologies, on the rooftop suite couch. They were really going at it.” Her flatmate said.

Melinda didn’t really pay attention to what her flatmate was saying. Her mind was still preoccupied with the house her parents had purchased. After a moment’s hesitation, she decided to call home. She took her phone into her room, closing the door behind her. The call was picked up almost immediately, and before Melinda could even ask about the house, her mother’s voice asking for money came through, “Melinda, do you have any money left? Could you send me another hundred grand? The man I accidentally hit last time is demanding compensation for his lost wages and medical bills. He wants a hundred grand.”

Melinda sat on the edge of her bed, clutching her bedsheets tightly, trying to hold back her emotions.

She allowed her mother to finish her spiel before asking, “Mom, is my brother getting married next month? Does the bride’s family expect a hundred grand as a wedding gift?”

The house had already been bought; now all that was left was to prepare the wedding gift. Her mother suddenly asking for a hundred grand must be related to that.

Maria, over the phone, didn’t seem to feel guilty in the slightest. Instead, she chuckled and replied, “Yes, he’s getting married next month. As his sister, you should take care of your brother’s wedding.

The bride’s family want a hundred grand as a wedding gift. Your father and I can’t afford that much.

Can you figure something out? The wedding day is fast approaching.”

Melinda felt like her heart was being torn apart, yet she clung to a sliver of hope and inquired, “Did our family buy a house?”

“Yes, we did.” Maria bragged over the phone, “Paid in full, with the money you’ve been sending us over the years. It’s a large three-bedroom flat with a big balcony. The layout is great. After your brother gets married, your father and I plan to move in there to help them look after the baby.”

Melinda said, “That’s good. I’ve been contemplating quitting my job and returning home in a few years.

Then we can all be together.”

The moment Maria heard this, she grew agitated, “What are you coming back for? You can make money in Riverdale. There’s no future in a small town. Moreover, there won’t be any space for you at home.”

“Mom, I’m tired of drifting around. I want to come back and take care of you. My brother just bought a three-bedroom flat.” Melinda said.

Before she could finish, her father’s voice came through the phone, “We don’t need you to take care of us. Your brother can handle it. Your mother and I will be taking one room in your brother’s new flat, your brother and his wife will take another, and we need to save one for the baby. You’re doing just fine in Riverdale. There’s no need for you to come back.”

His words made Melinda burst into tears again, “Dad, mum, I paid for the house, and I don’t even get a room? Is that fair?”

“You contributed a bit of money, so what? It’s your brother’s house.” Her father said condescendingly over the phone, “Hurry up and figure out how to come up with the hundred grand. Your brother’s bride’s family is waiting for their wedding gift.”

“I can’t come up with the money. I had to borrow from a friend to get the money last time.” Melinda sobbed.

Maria said, “Why don’t you hit them up for more cash? He’s your little bro, ain’t he? If his big sis ain’t gonna do anything, what are we supposed to do? Your dad and I ain’t got a dime back in the sticks.”

Her mom had already started bawling on the phone. Melinda had a soft spot for her mom’s tears. They always got to her. Melinda caved in and said. “Alright, I’ll think of something else. When is my brother getting hitched next month? I’ll ask for some time off and come home early.”

Before she could finish her sentence, her dad on the other end cut her off, “You don’t need to come home. You’re doing that job out there. If our relatives see you, won’t it be super awkward? It would be mortifying for your brother and his family. It’s not right for you to come back.”

That was the straw that broke the camel’s back. Melinda was crushed. She felt a stabbing pain deep in her heart and a shock that left her reeling. She couldn’t believe that in her parents’ eyes, she was that shameful, a disgrace.

“Dad, mom, do you guys think I’ve brought shame on my brother? You think the job I’m doing is disgraceful, but every penny you guys use, I earned it. I put my little bro through college, bought his wedding house with my money, and now, do you guys think the money I earned is dirty?” Melinda was shaking all over. Her parents’ words were like a sharp arrow, piercing her heart deeply.