Chapter 2

Standing outside the door, listening to their conversation, my heart sank.

I treated them like family, yet they treated me as an outsider.

The midday sun was blazing, but I felt chilled to the bone.

I stood frozen at the door, unable to find the courage to step inside, even though it was right in front of me.

After a long while, drenched in sweat, little Charlie squeezed my hand and asked, "Mom, why aren't we going in?"

I snapped back to reality and knocked on my family's door.

My mom opened the door, looking surprised to see me and Charlie:

"Emily, you're back! Why didn't you let us know earlier? It's such a hot day; don't get heatstroke."

She stood blocking the entrance, showing no intention of inviting me in.

I suppressed my hurt feelings and asked, "Mom, what does this mean? You're not letting me in?"

Caught off guard, my mom gave an awkward laugh and hesitated before stepping aside:

"Of course not! You're more than welcome, come in."

I held Charlie's hand as we entered the house I hadn't seen in five years and headed straight for my room.

As soon as I opened the door, I found a stranger in the room.

Everything that once belonged to me was gone, replaced by new furnishings.

I turned to my mom and asked, "Mom, what's going on?"

She apologized to the person inside and closed the door.

Pulling me aside, she whispered, "You've been away for so long, I thought why leave the room empty when we can rent it out and earn some extra income."

I asked, "Then where are my things? Where did you put them?"

Without a hint of guilt, my mom replied:

"As you can see, there's no space at home. We threw away what couldn't be used and gave away what could, found them a good home."

I felt deeply wronged: "Mom, you knew I stayed away for five years to take care of..."

Before I could finish, my mom rushed to cover my mouth.

My dad, hearing this, looked at me and said, "Little Emily doesn't know about this yet. She's just had a miscarriage; don't stress her out!"

Seeing my parents' reaction was like a knife to my heart.

It felt as if they and my sister-in-law were the family, and I was just an outsider.

Tears welled up in my eyes as I stared at the floor, trying not to let them fall.

"So, where will the child and I stay?" I asked, unwilling to give up.

Avoiding my gaze, my mom stammered:

"You see, there's really no room at home. How about you find a place outside to stay?"

Seeing I didn't respond, she continued:

"I have three hundred dollars here; it should be enough for you to stay somewhere cheap with the child for a few days.

"Oh, and the new pavilion in the park is nice and cool at night. You and Charlie could each take a side, enjoy the view and sleep—it’s a natural scenic room and saves money!"

Her words made me laugh, fueled by anger:

"So, the house I paid for has a room rented to strangers, and I can't even have a place to stay. Is that what you're saying?"