Finally understanding my position—and remembering this day—I gathered all the strength I could muster and broke free from my mother's grasp.

  “What the hell do you think you're doing?”

  I’d forgotten how loud she could get. That whiny voice—like nails on a chalkboard—grated my ears instantly.

  “Why don't we stop here? It's not becoming of a woman your age to fight with a young lady like myself over how you tried to sell me to your sugar daddy. Usually, shame and apologies would follow, but since I’m in a good mood, how about you leave my room, and we’ll end it here?”

  What did you say to me, you bitch?”

  Oh, I can see the shock and anger written all over her face. She’s always been bad at hiding her feelings.

  “I said leave”

  Whose deep voice is that—rushing toward us? I can’t make out the words, but it’s familiar... and just as irritating. It's making my skin crawl.

  Ron: “Baby, what’s wrong? I just got here. I know you said you’d fix this, but I wanted to make sure it was settled today.”

  This sleazeball never learned his lesson—at least not until he was dying in a pool of his own blood.

  I’m tempted to make that his fate again, sooner rather than later. But I'm not too sure what that would mean for me… so for now, I’ll let him live.

  Why is she poking my forehead?

  Mother: “Did you hear me? Either you apologize to Ron and play nice, or you have to leave this house today. You’ll be on the street with nothing, and you’ll be begg—”

  “Or I don’t—since legally, this is my house, and my mother left me a trust.”

  Mothers voice seems to be losing its vigor at my words.

  “What do you mean, your house? A trust?”

  Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.

  She’s always been far from a mom—probably because I’m not really hers.

  I’m her sister’s child, adopted after my real mother passed. With no clue who my father was, she was the only family I had.

  She always felt forced to take me.

  “Well, I have a trust. It includes this house and a sizable amount of money. Not FU money… but enough to start off on the right foot.”

  Mother: “I don't know what you mean,” she said that quick—I guess she’s trying to end the conversation to get to her phone..

  “I know you and Ron are trying to steal it right from under my nose as soon as I hit eighteen. Just so you know, that’s not happening. Nothing can happen without me signing a paper in person—and not without my fingerprint to prove it’s me. It seems my mom had severe trust issues. I wonder why.”

  Ron:”“Kid, for you to be so smart, you really put yourself in a bind. What makes you think we’ll let you leave from here now that you’ve said all that?”

  I wonder if I can still do that pouty, sarcastic voice. Well, might as well try.

  “You’ll let me leave because yesterday I informed my school that a man who’s dating my guardian tried to make advances on me. And my mom seems to think it’s a good idea for him to become my husband along with her. If I don’t show up for school, please send the police.”

  Ron’s face is beet red at that one little statement. Oh, come on now, Ron.

  Ron:“Who the hell would believe you”

  Everyone would, because you have not been subtle about your interest in me—and dear Mom over there is even more eager for you to keep bankrolling her.

  Ron’s mouth isn't moving, but his eyes are saying it all. He wants to kill me, and I’m taking pleasure in this look. It gives me the justification for his death in the future. Dear old Mom still seems shocked—her mouth is hanging wide open. I guess what I said must be shocking her.

  Looks like it’s wearing off—she’s grabbing his arm and dragging him away.

  Mother: “Ron, Ron and I are going to go to my room, dear.”

  That same fake smile again.

  “We have some things to talk about. Why don’t you get ready for school? It’s going to start soon.”

  “Yes, of course, Mother. Thank you for that. I guess I’ll see you tonight.”

  The smile on my face is plastered like a doll’s—just as fake as hers.

  As they walked out, I closed and locked the door and immediately ran to my desk.

  I need a pen and paper—ASAP. If this is five years ago, then I need to remember every big event.

  What date is it? The calendar...

  May 30th.

  Yeah, it’s May 30th.

  I really can’t believe this day of all days. It’s the day I met him.

  As long as I avoid the train station today, I should be able to avoid meeting him.

  But right now, I really need to write everything I can remember down—and I need to leave here today and never come back. They will try something else if given the chance.

  I need to find him first. He’ll be able to help me—he helped me then. And with me turning eighteen in ten days, I’m sure he wouldn’t mind helping.

  So it’s settled. Skipping school is happening.

  I’ll go back eventually. Maybe I’ll even finish this time. It’s something my real mom really wanted for me when she was around.

  But today, I have to skip—to make sure I live to see another one.

  So, off to find Lawyer Kim.