Chapter 4

I shook my head firmly. "That's impossible."

My dad's brow furrowed, his voice immediately rising. "What do you mean, impossible? We raised you all these years, and when we ask you to come back, you make excuses?"

"I'm not making excuses," I explained patiently. "My job in New York is what I fought for all these years. If I just give it up, all my suffering would be for nothing."

"So you're just going to abandon us?" My mom joined in, her face full of disapproval. "You're our only daughter. When we're old, who else can we rely on but you?"

"I didn't say I'd abandon you." I took a deep breath and offered a solution.

"If you want me to take care of you, fine—move to New York and live with me. That way I can work and look after you at the same time."

My dad immediately waved his hand dismissively. "Move to New York? We've lived in our hometown for decades. All our relatives and friends are here. We're not moving to some unfamiliar place where we don't know anyone."

My mom nodded along. "Exactly. You're still renting in New York—how could that be as comfortable as home? We're not going."

I frowned. "If you won't go and I can't quit, then there's nothing I can do."

My dad's face darkened. "Nothing you can do? I think you've just grown wings and don't care about us anymore!"

"Anyway, I won't quit." My tone was firm, without any hint of compromise.

My dad opened his mouth, about to continue scolding me, when Laura quickly stepped forward, gently mediating. "Charlotte rarely comes home. Let's talk nicely as a family instead of fighting and hurting each other."

She turned to me with a gentle smile. "Charlotte, Uncle and Auntie are just getting older and want someone to keep them company. That's natural. Don't be upset."

Hearing this, my dad's expression softened slightly. He looked at Laura with instant warmth. "Laura's so understanding, so considerate of us. Not like you—all you care about is work and money."

I was too tired to argue with them anymore. Even one more word felt exhausting. I turned and headed to my room.

The moment I pushed open the door, I froze completely.

My bed had unfamiliar sheets and a comforter. The desk was covered with skincare products and hair ties. The closet was full of women's clothing—clearly someone had been living here long-term.

I whipped around to look at Laura, who had followed me. "Don't you have your own room? Why are you living in mine without permission?"

Laura's eyes flickered, and she lowered her head, looking flustered. "Charlotte, I'm sorry, I..."

Before she could finish, my mom spoke up to explain. "Laura's air conditioner broke. We tried to fix it several times but couldn't. It was cold, so I let her stay in your room."

"You never come home anyway—it would just sit empty."

The anger in my chest flared up again. "Even if I don't stay here, this is still my room! How could you let her move in without asking me?"

"How could we?" My dad suddenly roared, his face livid. "Your mom and I bought this house. We can let whoever we want live here. Forget letting Laura stay—we could kick you out if we wanted!"

I was trembling with rage. Looking at my parents, who should have been so familiar, they suddenly felt like strangers.

This was supposed to be my home, but I felt like an outsider.

I stopped arguing, turned, and walked to the entryway, pulling my suitcase behind me.

"Fine. If you want me to leave, I'll leave."

My dad snorted coldly, his face full of disdain. "Go ahead and leave if you're so capable. Don't come back to this house!"

My mom opened her mouth, but in the end, she only sighed and said nothing more.

Laura stood to the side, anxiously speaking up. "Charlotte, don't be angry. It's all my fault. I'll move out right now..."

I didn't want to hear her talk. I pulled my suitcase and walked out the door without looking back.

I dragged the heavy case down the stairs, step by step, and finally took a cab to a nearby hotel.