Chapter 3

"But Uncle Charles, Amy just said that I was the reason my parents died. She might be right. I don't want to get you and your family in trouble too," I said, biting my lip and trying to look as pitiful as possible.

Fearing that I might actually get the guardianship rights revoked, Charles hastily glared at Amy and shouted angrily, "Amy, apologize to Julia right now! I'll teach you a lesson if you say those things again!"

Amy was Charles and Nancy's only daughter and the apple of their eye, so of course, Charles' harsh tone startled her. Her eyes instantly reddened as she began sobbing pitifully. She said stubbornly, "No way! She really does bring bad luck, and she'll be the death of our family!"

When I heard that, I pursed my lips and put on an even sadder expression. I lamented, "It's all my fault, Uncle Charles. I don't think you should take me in, after all. Just leave me alone to fend for myself."

In his panic, Charles raised his hand and slapped Amy across the face. He shouted, "Come on, Amy! Apologize!"

Amy's cheek quickly became red and swollen. She was stunned by the slap. Charles and Nancy had pampered her all her life, so the slap came as a surprise.

She lay on the floor as if she were throwing a tantrum. Then, she began wailing and making a fuss about it, crying, "Save me, Mom! Dad hit me because of Julia! Waaah! Save me, Mom…"

Back in the master bedroom, Nancy had already taken a shower and changed into her own clothes. She walked out of the bedroom.

When Nancy saw her precious daughter crying on the floor, her heart ached terribly for Amy. She shoved me and Charles aside as she hastily helped Amy up.

Turning around, Nancy stared coldly at me as she warned, "Do you really have to cause such a ruckus in this house, Julia?

"You said that you want to get the guardianship rights revoked, so does that mean you want to be sent to an orphanage? You can't even behave at home, so I can only imagine how much you'll suffer there!"

I lowered my head. I knew that this wasn't the right time to completely turn against them. So, I said calmly, "Uncle Charles, I know that Amy is still a clueless kid, so I shouldn't hold it against her. However, Amy has said that I was the reason my parents died. She should at least apologize for it, right?"

Charles hastily gave Nancy a look. Nancy understood what Charles meant. She had to choose between money and her poor daughter's pride. She eventually decided to choose the former.

Caressing the top of Amy's head, Nancy coaxed gently, "Amy, I've taught you to be patient, right? So, please be a good girl and apologize. I'll buy lots of dresses and dolls for you when the time comes, promise."

"When the time comes?" I thought. Nancy was probably talking about when she and Charles had completely wrestled my home and the bank cards out of my hands.

It was only the first day, but their greed was already in full view.

The angrier I felt inside, the calmer I appeared on the outside.

A long while later, I finally heard Amy's reluctant apology. "I'm sorry, Julia. It was my fault. Please forgive me."

She was apologizing, but I could see the rage and malice in her eyes. I knew that she wouldn't stop there.

However, I would show her that I wasn't someone to be trifled with, either.