Chapter 2

Because of Jack's complaint, I had to compensate him for the four-figure cake.

That was equivalent to my wages for delivering 300 orders!

But at that moment, I couldn't dwell on these details.

The hallway of the mansion was so warm, yet why did I feel ice in my heart?

The door opened again, and Jack threw out a gold necklace.

I immediately recognized it as the birthday gift I had bought for my mom.

Jack looked at me provocatively, "My mom didn't know where to throw this trash. I think it suits a dog like you perfectly. Come on, bark for me."

He crossed his arms, laughing arrogantly. Seeing my silence, he continued: "You're just an abandoned child. Born but not raised by your parents."

Faced with his repeated provocations, I couldn't hold back anymore.

I clenched my fist and rushed towards him, only to be met with the sound of a slamming door.

Unwilling to end things so pathetically, I stood at the door, knocking repeatedly, trying to get my parents' attention.

But what came instead were several burly security guards.

"The owners inside are my parents, you can't kick me out," I pleaded.

The security guard looked me up and down with disdain, "In this community, houses start at eight figures. You don't look like you're worth more than 800 bucks. If you want to dream, do it at home."

With that, they all burst into laughter.

One of the guards approached me with a taser, "I advise you to get lost. This isn't a place where you can cause trouble as you please."

I had no choice but to pick up the broken necklace from the ground and flee.

The cold wind cut through my delivery uniform like a knife.

Just then, someone collapsed on the road ahead. To avoid causing further injury to the fallen person, I chose to fall deliberately.

The cake rolled out, smearing my face.

Lying on the ground, looking at the snowflakes falling from the sky, I could no longer hold back my tears.

At that moment, a familiar ringtone sounded. It was the special ringtone I had set for my parents in case they needed to reach me urgently.

My mom anxiously asked, "Why did it take you so long to answer the phone, son? I thought something had happened to you. It's our fault for making you deliver food on Christmas Eve. We're so sorry."

I tightened my grip on the phone, wanting to ask them why they had lied to me, but all that came out was a choked sob.

My dad's cough came through the line, "It's all dad's fault for being useless and burdening you."

On any other day, I would have immediately refuted this, patiently comforting them. But now, I didn't want to bother.

Hearing my silence, dad thought I was tired. "Child, tomorrow's Christmas Day. Take a break, and let's have a good holiday together as a family."

Mom added mysteriously, "I have a surprise for you tomorrow."

I managed to squeeze out a "Okay" through my sobs.

A passerby, seeing me motionless, was about to call for an ambulance.

Hearing that it would cost money, I instinctively got up.

"I'm fine, no need to call 911. But she might need help," I said, pointing to a figure not far away.

Under the hat was an elderly woman with white hair.

"You're young, so we dared to help. But her? That's probably too much. You're just a delivery girl, better not get involved," the passerby advised.

The snow was falling heavier, and out-of-control vehicles were becoming more frequent.

Looking at the lonely old woman lying on the ground, I thought of how no one cared about me either.

Without hesitation, I helped the conscious but immobile old woman to safety and called for an ambulance.

It was already 4 AM when I got home.

Looking at myself covered in cake and dirt, I quietly said, "Happy birthday."

Today was my 22nd birthday.

And my parents were spending it with love and money on someone who wasn't even related to them.