Chapter 3

As her words fell, Laura gently stepped forward, reached out to hold my mom's hand, and softly consoled her. "Don't be angry. Charlotte's a senior manager now—she's busy with work. It's not that she doesn't want to come home."

Hearing them talk like this made me so angry I wanted to laugh.

I don't care about them? I send them ten thousand dollars a month for living expenses. Worried they'd be too frugal to spend it, I hired a high-priced housekeeper to take care of their meals and daily needs. I work myself to death out there so they can live comfortably. How did I become worse than a paid housekeeper in their eyes?

I clenched my fists, suppressing my anger. "Mom, Dad, that's not fair."

"You say I don't care about you? That I only focus on work and money?"

"Before, whenever I had free time, I came home. You complained I was wasting money, said I looked foolish always coming back like a child who never grew up, told me to stop running home all the time. I listened."

"But I've never missed calling or video chatting, have I? I've never missed sending your monthly living expenses, have I? I hired Laura at a high salary specifically to take care of you. Doesn't any of that count in your eyes?"

My dad's face immediately darkened. "But you didn't even come home for Christmas—is that acceptable? You weren't here for a family reunion. What good is money? Your mom and I have enough—we don't need your money."

"Don't be upset," Laura quickly stepped forward, gently tugging on my dad's arm with an obedient smile. "Charlotte has it tough working in New York. Senior managers are so busy—she can't help it. I'm sure she still thinks about you in her heart."

But my dad only got angrier after hearing that. "Senior manager? So what? Why does a girl need to work so hard? Eventually, she'll get married and return to family life anyway. What's the point of climbing so high?"

My mom chimed in, "Charlotte, you're not young anymore. You really should consider getting married."

"A colleague at work has a son about your age. He's honest and dependable, works locally, and comes from a good family. Since you're back this time, why don't you meet him? If it works out, you can get engaged."

I didn't even think before refusing. "I don't want to go on blind dates, and I don't want to get married."

"You don't want to get married?" My dad's face turned iron-blue. "Are you planning to spend your whole life with your job?"

"Why not?" I met his gaze.

"You—" My dad was so angry his chest heaved. "Your mom and I are getting old. We need someone nearby. If you go on blind dates, get married, and stay here, we'll have someone to rely on, someone to take care of us. Why can't you think about us?"

I frowned. "Haven't I already hired Laura to take care of you?"

My dad slammed the table and issued his ultimatum. "Then if you won't get married, quit your job and come back to take care of us. Otherwise, stop recognizing us as your parents, and we'll make Laura our daughter instead!"

I laughed in frustration.

"When I graduated, I planned to find work back home so I could easily take care of you."

I looked at them calmly.

"But you thought it was embarrassing for a graduate of a prestigious university to work in a small town. You said I had no ambition and forced me to go to New York."

"I've struggled in New York for so many years, finally getting a foothold and building my current life."

"And now, with one sentence, you want me to give it all up and quit?"