"If you want to stay here, that's fine. From next month, the rent is 1,500 dollars, the food cost is 2,000 dollars, and utilities are extra."
I've heard her sarcasm many times before and couldn't be bothered to respond.
But this time, she had the nerve to point at my nose and say it.
"Which eye of yours saw me sponging off anyone?
"Even if I am, so what? Am I sponging off you?
"Am I eating your food or using your things? What gives you the right to criticize?"
Since marrying into the family, Jessica hadn't worked a single day. My brother, Tony, a man of little resolve, couldn't hold a job for more than three months, always complaining about stupid colleagues or bosses.
Under the pretense of cleaning up the workplace, he resigned so many times that no one would hire him now.
They both relied almost entirely on my parents' support.
And where did my parents get their money from? Isn't it all from me?
Jessica might not know, but Tony had seen me give money to Mary many times and even joked about my filial piety.
I wanted harmony in the family because they were my family.
I had no complaints when my parents used my money to support Tony and Jessica.
I bought a villa and renovated it; they moved in with Tony, and I said nothing.
They forget this was my house after living here for a few years.
They forget I was supporting this family.
Jessica looked at me with disdain, as if my righteous indignation was laughable to her.
She glanced at my mom, sarcastically saying, "Mary, say something. Isn't this a decision the whole family agreed on? Why does it seem like I'm the only bad guy now?"
The whole family agreed on this decision?
On a hot summer afternoon, under the scorching sun, I felt like I had fallen into an ice cellar.
The whole family... agreed on this decision...
I looked at Mary in disbelief. "Is that true? Did the whole family agree on this?
"Am I not part of this family?"
Mary avoided my gaze, and I suddenly felt overwhelmed, shouting, "Answer me!"
Startled by my outburst, my mom looked up, teary-eyed.
Maybe the commotion we were causing outside was too loud, as my deaf dad, Jason, and brother, Tony, finally came out of the house.
"What's going on here?
"Lydia, you're out of line! Why are you yelling at your mom?"
Jason and Tony spoke up together.