TWENTY FIVE

Ruth's POV

I walked into the house, exhausted from a long day at school. Michael had enrolled me in a university, thinking it would be a great opportunity for me to further my education. But I had other plans. I wanted to work and contribute financially to our family's welfare.

"Hey, how was your day?" Michael asked, as I dropped my bag on the floor.

"It was fine," I replied, trying to sound nonchalant. "Just busy with school work."

Michael raised an eyebrow. "You're always busy with school work. Don't you ever get tired of just studying?"

I sighed, feeling a pang of guilt. "I do, Michael. That's why I want to get a job. I want to contribute to our family's income."

Michael shook his head. "No, Ruth. You focus on your studies. I'll take care of the finances."

But I was determined. I started sneaking out of school to work at a factory, packing biscuits into cartons for a few hours a day. My new friends, Sarah and Emily, had introduced me to the job, and I was grateful for the extra in