Chapter 2

The next morning, I tried to open my eyes, but my eyelids felt gritty and wouldn't lift.

My throat felt like it was filled with charcoal painful and parched.

I forced myself to sit up and took my temperature: 101.7°F.

Messages popped up on my phone: [Iris, it's already nine o'clock.

Why aren't you here yet? We pay our part-timers daily!

In my condition, there was no way I could work today. I opened SnapChat. Balance: $3.52.

That wasn't even enough to buy cold medicine.

Left with no choice, I called my mom.

"Mom, I have a fever---over 101 degrees. Could you transfer me some money so I can get medicine from the clinic..."

I was met with a tirade.

"Didn't I just transfer you twenty thousand yesterday?

And you're asking for more money!

You're like a vampire, trying to bleed us dry until you're satisfied!"

My face burned, but my palms were ice cold. I sank into my chair, my voice hoarse and angry.

"Yes, you transfer me twenty thousand every month, you gave me a bank card but you won't tell me the PIN.

That card is worthless to me! Three years.

Do you know how I've survived each month?

I hand out flyers, tutor students, wash dishes.

I've earned every penny of my living expenses myself.

I haven't spent a cent of your money!

You transfer money to the card but won't let me use it---who exactly are you putting on this show for?"

There was silence on the other end, then my mom's shrill voice.

"What, your parents are good to you and you don't appreciate it?

Now you're blaming us?

I gave you the card whether you can withdraw the money is your problem!

Serves you right!"

My dad tried to smooth things over. "Iris, you're still young. When you get married, Dad will definitely tell you the PIN..."

"You dare tell her the PIN and see what happens!

What does a girl need all that money for? If she gets involved in something indecent, I won't be able to show my face!"

I wiped away my tears and swallowed the bitterness in my mouth.

After borrowing money from my roommate, on my way back I saw Lily's social media post: [Thanks to my employer for the treats!]

Lily was the daughter of our housekeeper, Mrs. Parker.

My mom doted on her treated her better than her own daughter.

The image showed a SnapChat transfer from my mom for five thousand dollars. Note: Buy yourself some snacks.

The plastic bag in my hand crashed to the ground.

Lily---a complete stranger with no blood relation to my mom---casually received five thousand dollars.

And I, her biological daughter, running a high fever, had to borrow money from others just to buy a pack of cold medicine.