Chapter 11

Despite all the cold shoulders and mistreatment at home, I managed to keep up with my schoolwork and was accepted into a top high school.Meanwhile, after being sent to a neighboring city, Amy spiraled out of control without any parental supervision. Her poor grades dropped even further, and she ended up at a vocational school.She started coming home less often, and when she did, it was only to ask her parents for money.By the end of my freshman year, Nancy got pregnant. Given her age, it was considered a high-risk pregnancy, and Charles treated the situation very seriously.On the first day of summer break, Charles called me into his room and commanded, "Julia, Nancy's pregnant now. Since you're on break, it's your responsibility to take care of her."I frowned and immediately refused. "I don't know how to take care of a pregnant woman, and I have a ton of homework to do.""You'll learn," he said flatly. "I'm not asking for your opinion but telling you what to do."Then, Char

Chapter 12

After lunch, Charles and Nancy went to their room for a nap, but Amy lingered in the kitchen. As I cleaned up the dishes, she continued to taunt me."Julia, you act all high and mighty at school. You've got Anna and Betsy wrapped around your finger, but let me remind you that you're just an orphan in my house. You're nothing without your parents."The word "orphan" made me flinch. I stopped what I was doing and stared at her. "This is my house. What makes you think it's yours?"Amy scoffed. "It's only a matter of time before it's mine. We'll see."Amy must have figured out that Nancy was pregnant. Fearing Nancy might neglect her after giving birth to another child, she frantically went to desperate lengths.It was true what they say—like mother, like daughter.That afternoon, I sat in the living room, pretending to study the postpartum care book. Amy came home, ignored me completely, and took a bottle of water into her room.A little while later, she emerged with a glass of wate

Chapter 13

About half a year later, Amy reconciled with her parents. The moment she returned, she came straight for me."Julia, you wretch! You ratted me out. I'll kill you!" she spat furiously."You're the one who crossed the line. You poisoned your unborn brother. I'm really tempted to post everything you did online," I shot back.Amy's face turned pale. She didn't care if videos of her bullying me surfaced, but the truth about poisoning her unborn baby brother was a whole other matter. It could land her in jail.The bravado she had just mustered quickly faded.Nevertheless, she wasn't ready to give up just yet. Gritting her teeth, she said, "You did me wrong, so you owe me compensation. I'm broke right now. Give me a thousand dollars."I shrugged. "Your parents treat me so badly that I can barely eat in this house. Do you think I'd have any money? I don't even have 50 dollars."Amy eyed my clothes, which I had worn since last year. She seemed unsure if I was telling the truth. I guessed

Chapter 14

After Amy had been thoroughly beaten, she showed no sign of remorse.Still sporting bruises, she stormed up to me and roared, "Julia, everything that's happened to me is your fault! Just you wait, one day I'm going to kill you!"Seeing her rage-filled expression made me want to laugh. Every time she planned to come after me, she had to announce it first with a dramatic threat.Yet, the malicious glint in her eyes sent a chill down my spine. Amy wasn't exactly smart, but when she was pushed to the edge, there was no telling what she might do. Thus, for the first time, I used another bank card Mom had left me.I withdrew a few thousand dollars and purchased a set of high-definition, hidden cameras. When the house was empty, I discreetly installed them in the corners of the living room.From that point on, every day before coming home from school, I would check the footage to see what had been happening at home.And it turned out my precautions weren't in vain.Three days later,

Chapter 15

Amy was sentenced to several years in a juvenile detention center for poisoning me. After I was discharged from the hospital, Charles and Nancy completely turned against me.They stopped giving me food or even a drop of water. Left with no other option, I had to dip into my savings again to discreetly buy meals outside.I was constantly on guard and watched their every move. One day, when I got home from school early, I overheard a conversation between Charles and Nancy through the door."Julia's about to turn 18. I say we marry her off and get rid of such inconvenience," said Nancy.Charles hesitated. "Isn't that a bit too much? She's barely an adult.""Why, are you getting attached to your niece now?" Nancy's voice sharpened. "Have you forgotten how Amy ended up in jail because of her?"Charles fell silent, and Nancy continued, "I've already found someone to help us. He promised to find a man for Julia. There's no way she will escape this. It's settled."Charles didn't protest

Chapter 16

That night, Charles and Nancy had a huge fight. Charles furiously accused Nancy of cheating, and instead of showing any remorse, Nancy lashed back at him.She called him incompetent and weak, then blamed him for not earning enough or securing ownership of the house. She even threw in the fact that Amy was now in prison because of him.The argument escalated, and soon, they were physically fighting.In the heat of the moment, Nancy accidentally pushed Charles down the stairs. His head hit the corner of the wall with a sickening thud, and blood poured out.Charles was rushed to the hospital, where his life was saved. However, he fell into a coma and was left in a vegetative state, condemned to spend the rest of his days bedridden.Nancy, on the other hand, was charged with intentional injury.To avenge Charles, I spared no expense to hire a top lawyer and ensured she was convicted. She was sentenced to 20 years in prison, meaning she would likely spend the rest of her life behind b