Chapter 97

I stopped in my tracks briefly upon hearing that and stormed off without looking back.

I’m nothing but an outsider to this family… No one gives a damn what I say or do. Sometimes, I even wonder if I’m actually adopted…

I couldn’t fall asleep after returning to my room as my mom’s words from earlier kept echoing in my head.

After a bit of tossing and turning in bed, I decided to give Natalie a call and ask her if she was feeling any better. To my surprise, I saw a text message from Michael when I unlocked my phone.

Curious as to what he sent me, I quickly tapped on it with my trembling fingers.

Michael: Give me a call when you get back tomorrow. I’ll go pick you up at the station.

He wants to come pick me up…

I was shaking all over from shock and confusion as to why he was suddenly being so nice to me.

However, there was no denying the fact that I felt happy when I read his text.

I wasted no time and quickly replied: I will, thanks!

The argument with Mom had left me in a very bad mood, but Michael’s text removed all of that negativity and made me feel all better.

A smile formed on my face as I placed my phone on the nightstand. Had Michael been an ordinary guy instead of a CEO, I probably would’ve fallen in love with him ages ago! Sure, he’s quite domineering and unreasonable, but he did help me out a lot in life! I know he’s not a bad guy at heart. He’s just gotten used to being cold on the outside, that’s all!

I thought Michael would reply to my text, but that was just wishful thinking on my part.

Eventually, I fell asleep waiting for his reply which never came, and it was already morning when I woke up.

Mom had made us all breakfast by the time I finished showering and brushing my teeth.

Even Steven had sobered up after a good night’s sleep, but he still looked as frivolous as ever.

The mere sight of him reminded me of how Mom had spent more than half of the hundred thousand on paying off his gambling debt, and that made me feel like hitting him out of anger.

Of course, I couldn’t do that or Mom would definitely cut ties with me for harming their precious son.

Unfortunately, me not hitting him didn’t stop him from getting on my nerves. After taking a sip from his glass of milk, Steven shifted his gaze towards me and asked, “I heard you found yourself a rich boyfriend, Anna. Is that true? When are you going to introduce him to us? We can help you assess his character, you know?”

Steven was obviously referring to Michael, but I knew it wasn’t Michael’s character that he was interested in.

I shot him a glare and said coldly, “No, I don’t have a rich boyfriend. Also, drop the act, will you? I know you’re only interested in his money, not his character.”

“Must you be so mean to me, Anna? What, I can’t even care about my own sister’s well-being now?”

Being the hot-tempered guy that he was, Steven got angry and raised his voice at me in response.

“I don’t need your concern, Steven. If anything, you should worry about yourself! You’re not a kid anymore, for goodness’ sake! It’s time you found yourself a proper job!” I snapped back at him with a frown.

There’s no way he’s actually concerned about me! We may be siblings, but he has gotten himself into so much trouble over the years that whatever patience I had left has been completely depleted.

Steven gave Mom an indignant look as he protested, “Do you see that, Mom? She’s lecturing me every day when you and Dad haven’t even said anything!”

I had been very polite with him earlier as all I wanted was for him to be a little more hardworking.

“Stevie is still young. Give him two more years, and I’m sure he’ll turn out just fine! You should stop being such a nitpicker, Anna! Who hasn’t made a couple of mistakes in life, right?”

Of course, Mom defended Steven as usual… She would never speak up for me, not even once. Whenever Steven and I got into arguments, I was the one she pinned the blame on. Seriously, does she not realize that Steven turned out like this precisely because she spoiled him too much?

“Mom, he’s made way more than just a couple of mistakes! Can you stop defending him already?”

I shot Mom a disappointed look when I said that.

“Anna! What the hell is wrong with you? Steven hasn’t done anything to provoke you, and yet you’ve been picking on him ever since you got home yesterday!”

As usual, she lashes out at me for criticizing Steven… Of course she does… I’m just an outsider to them… Why do my parents treat me so differently when we’re both children of theirs? Is it simply because I’m a girl?

With that in mind, I kept my head low and continued eating my breakfast in silence.

“You can head on back to the city after breakfast if you hate your brother that much.”

Dad, who had been silent the whole time, spoke up all of a sudden, but what he said only added insult to my injury.

“Yeah, I’ll do that,” I said with tears in my eyes.

Dad’s words hurt more than any beating or scolding I had ever received.

When I heard him kicking me out simply because I lectured Steven, I felt a strong urge to just stand up and question them if I was actually their daughter.

Despite how strong that urge was, I managed to fight it back and began packing my stuff as soon as I finished my food.

“Anna, I know it’s really tough working out there all by yourself to support the family, but… Steven is your brother, and he’s also the only one capable of continuing the family lineage…” Mom said apologetically when I was about to leave.

I would usually put up with it all after hearing those words from her as patriarchy was the norm in the village. However, I was too upset and disappointed in her at the time.