Chapter 3

That evening at dinner, Mom suddenly covered her mouth, then rushed to the bathroom.

Richard froze.

Then his eyes lit up, his forks clattering to the table.

"Eleanor!" He rushed to the bathroom door, knocking. "What's wrong? Could it be..."

That guess was soon confirmed at the hospital.

Mom, at forty-two, was pregnant.

She was pregnant with Richard's child.

Mom stroked her belly, her face flushed with happiness.

The arrival of their love child put Richard and Mom in high spirits.

Richard looked at me.

"To ensure our new family member has the best start, we need to reallocate our resources."

"So, Chloe, your room can be used as a nursery for your future brother."

My heart sank.

"Then... where will I live?" Richard tapped the table, pointing to the balcony.

"Eleanor and I discussed it. We'll enclose that corner of the balcony and put a folding bed for you there."

The balcony?

That was a place that leaked wind in winter and was exposed to the scorching sun in summer, without even a proper cover.

When I started crying, Richard and Mom remained unyielding. Their words were full of demands for me to be understanding, their tone completely non-negotiable.

"With a new family member coming, our household expenses need to tighten. Chloe, you're almost graduating high school. You're fully capable of working as an adult."

"After you graduate high school next year, forget about college. You'll work to pay off your dad and me."

No!

I had to go to school!

My teachers said that an education was my only way out.

I argued vehemently, but Mom angrily slapped me.

Richard and Mom threw the black leather ledger and a stack of loan contracts with my signature on them in front of me.

"Get this straight, you're not Richard's child. We, as a family, have no obligation to raise you until adulthood, especially after all these years of our AA system. Don't you know how much debt you owe us? You're already a massive liability, a total loss-making project!"

I covered my swollen face, my gaze drifting to Mom, who was lost in the joy of her pregnancy.

Mom.

Did you forget? I might not be Richard's child,

But I'm your daughter.

But Mom just looked down, stroking her pregnant belly, absorbed in the happiness of carrying Richard's child.

After a long silence, Mom, uncomfortable under my resentful gaze, finally looked up, as if having made a decision.

"Chloe, don't blame your dad and me. Raising a child costs too much. Your brother needs formula money and an education fund even before he's born. You're old enough now; you should be sensible and help out. Besides, you already owe us a huge amount of money..."

My eyes welled up. I looked at Mom in disbelief.

I finally understood.

In this house, I was just a indebted outsider.

Silently, I turned to pack my belongings.