turned Ch 10

I offered no defense in the face of their accusations but simply said, slowly and deliberately, “I am cutting all ties with the Johnson family as of today. I want nothing more to do with any of you!” 

I stopped for a second, then added, “In regard to those so–called living expenses. I’ve kept track of all of them.” 

I then took out a notebook from my bag before reading aloud every expense I had documented over the years. “In 2007, you took Tina to the city, abandoning me with the White family in the countryside. You left 30 thousand dollars for my living expenses, but Tina’s biological parents split that money, and I never saw a single penny. 

“In 2015, I got into high school, and after saving relentlessly, I was still short of 300 dollars of my tuition fees. I desperately begged you to lend it to me, promising repayment, but you simply admonished me for squandering money and relying on you guys for help before abruptly ending the call.” 

I stopped for a moment again before reading the last part, saying, “I was staying with my aunt before you sent me to the White family. You never provided any living expenses during that period, and even my aunt’s compensation was only issued for the initial three years. In total, the amount I used was 60 thousand dollars. I will pay all of that back to you.” 

I never imagined that the very first time they had truly acknowledged me as their daughter would be to demand money back. I felt an odd urge to laugh, but ultimately, I couldn’t bring myself to do so. 

Yet, my record of expenses didn’t sit well with them, causing their expressions to harden with increased fury and disdain. 

Henry bellowed, “What nonsense are you even spouting? You ought to know that I consistently remitted 30 thousand dollars to the White family every month throughout those years. How dare you claim that none of it was spent on you!” 

I smiled faintly and said, “I earned all the money for my living expenses and tuition myself over the years. I worked part–time during the holidays. If you don’t believe me, you can always ask the Whites.”