Chapter 3

I stared at the photo, my eyes burning, yet unable to shed a single tear.

*Who was the real parasite here?*

I paid the down payment for this house. I paid the $12,000 monthly mortgage.

I covered Kevin's tuition and living expenses for all four years of college.

Even the king crab they were eating right now? I'd specifically ordered it on Amazon and had it shipped home last week!

Now, the real parasites were sitting in *my* house, eating *my* food, trying to freeze *me*, the owner, to death outside?

Fury broke through my reason.

I suddenly lifted my foot and kicked the door hard.

"Kevin! I know you're in there! Open this door!"

"This is *my* house! What right do you have to lock me out?!"

The loud bang startled the neighbors.

Mrs. Davies, from across the hall, poked her head out, looking surprised.

"Oh, isn't that Olivia? Why are you shouting outside on Christmas?"

A flurry of commotion erupted inside the house.

Perhaps worried about looking bad, the door finally opened.

Mom appeared in the doorway, her face grim. There wasn't a hint of concern in her eyes, only reproach.

"What are you shouting about! Are you trying to make sure everyone knows you're back? You're an adult, act like it! No manners!"

I was stiff from the cold, my hand clutching my suitcase trembling.

"Mom, why did the password change? Why didn't you answer my call? What's with Kevin's post?"

Mom's gaze flickered, and she stepped aside.

"Come in first, we'll talk inside. It's Christmas, don't make a scene out here."

I dragged my heavy suitcase into the entryway.

A rush of warm air hit me, mixed with the scent of seafood.

But this warmth didn't belong to me.

In the living room, Kevin was sprawled on the couch, one leg crossed over the other, a crab leg still dangling from his mouth.

Dad sat next to him, picking a succulent piece of crab meat and placing it on Kevin's plate.

On the dining table, there were indeed only three place settings.

My usual spot was piled high with clutter and delivery boxes.

When I entered, Dad didn't even lift an eyelid.

"Now that you're back, shut your mouth. Don't bring your bad vibes into the house."

I froze.

"Dad, I'm part of this family too. Is me coming home for Christmas considered 'bad vibes'?"

Dad slammed his forks onto the table.

"Look at all that snow on you! You're getting water all over the floor! Can't you even clean yourself up?"

"And kicking the door the moment you arrive! What kind of behavior is that? Is this what you learned in the big city?"

I looked down at myself.

My puffer coat was soaked with melted snow, my shoes completely wet.

Kevin, meanwhile, was wearing a brand-new Adidas tracksuit—the Christmas gift he'd cried and begged me for last month.

Over three hundred dollars.

I gritted my teeth and pushed my suitcase aside.

"Where are my slippers?"

The shoe cabinet was empty. My pink fluffy slippers were gone.

Mom emerged from the kitchen, carrying a steaming plate of dumplings.

"Oh, those old slippers were worn out. I threw them away a couple of days ago. Haven't had time to buy new ones. Just use those shoe covers for now."

She pointed her chin towards a blue plastic shoe cover nearby.

They were for the plumber.

Kevin burst out laughing.

"Mom, look at her in those blue shoe covers! Doesn't she look like she just stepped out of surgery?"

"Hahahaha, Olivia, your outfit is so unique. Want me to take a picture for Ins?"

With that, he actually raised his phone to snap a photo of me.

I rushed over and slapped his phone out of his hand.

"Kevin! Haven't you had enough?!"

The phone landed on the carpet, unbroken.

But Kevin reacted as if he'd suffered a massive injustice, letting out a wail.

"Dad! Mom! Look at her! She hits me the moment she comes home! And she tried to smash my phone!"

Dad abruptly stood up, grabbing the ashtray from the table and hurling it at me.

"You damn brat! You're out of control!"