They brought me back to their home—a simple two-bedroom apartment, with no extra bedroom available. I stood there, holding my things, feeling lost and uncertain.

Evelyn pointed to the couch. "That’s your bed! You can sleep there, but you better get up and clean up before six, or you’ll look like a mess!"

Just as I was about to make the bed, she quickly stopped me. "Wait! Go wash the laundry in the bathroom. It’s been sitting there for so long; it probably stinks by now."

My face darkened immediately, and I replied, "I didn’t come here to work."

Seeing me resist, she slapped me across the face, her voice harsh. "You little brat! If you're not here to work, are you planning on having me feed and house you for nothing?"

She yanked my ear and dragged me to the bathroom, shoving me next to the laundry bin with a glare. "This house is not yours to command!"

That night, at the dinner table, Evelyn had just set the food down. When she saw me about to sit in one of the chairs, she quickly pulled me aside. "Hey! What do you think you're doing?"

In one swift motion, she grabbed a bowl, threw some random vegetables into it, and handed it to me, waving her hand. "Go eat over there!"

I sat on the couch holding the bowl, tears streaming down my face.

Liam, seemingly annoyed by the noise, slammed his chopsticks on the table and yelled, "What are you crying about? You’re such a downer!"

Evelyn immediately placed a chicken leg on his plate, soothing him softly. "Good son, don’t mind her."

He immediately pouted and whined to Evelyn, "Mom! When are you sending her away? She’s so annoying to look at!"

Evelyn didn’t answer. I looked up and saw her locked in a silent stare with Aidan, her eyes filled with barely concealed malice.

That night, after making my bed and preparing to lie down, they came in.

Evelyn, suddenly sweet and soft, changed her tone. She gently started circling around me. "Elise, where’s Margaret’s insurance money?"

She hadn't shown an ounce of care for me, yet here she was, eyeing the insurance money.

Without turning around, I replied, "That’s for my education."

Aidan spoke up then. "The school’s already handled it for you. They’ve paid the tuition. The insurance money should be handed over to us for safekeeping."

I wasn’t dumb. Margaret’s insurance was more than enough for me to cover my schooling, and they had their own agenda.

I turned to face them. "The beneficiary of the insurance is me. I’m not giving it to you."

Evelyn was furious at my response, her face red with anger. "What do you mean, 'beneficiary'? I’m her daughter! That money belongs to me!"

I stayed silent, looking at her with a look of disdain, like she was a fool.

"Fine! Fine! Elise Winter, you really are something!" She pointed at me, her voice shaking with rage. "I’ll have you out of here by tomorrow!"

I exchanged a quick glance with Liam, who was behind the door, clearly pleased. I replied calmly, "No need for tomorrow. I’m leaving right now."

I quickly packed up the few things I had, and they kicked me out of the door.

The vast city felt like an unfamiliar world to me, someone new to these streets.

I walked along the dimly lit streets, aimlessly, with no particular destination in mind.

A few drunken men staggered toward me, their words laced with lewdness: “Hey there, little miss, all alone?”

I furrowed my brow, remained silent, and clutched my bag tighter as I stepped back.

Just as one of their hands was about to reach for me, I was suddenly enveloped in a warm embrace. A deep, magnetic voice rang above my head, “What do you think you’re doing? I’ll call the cops if you don’t back off.”

The men’s faces shifted, and they muttered insults as they stumbled away.

Still shaken, I quickly turned to thank the person who had helped me.

He gave a gentle smile, ruffling my hair, and said, “Out this late, huh? Why aren’t you headed home?”

I lifted my gaze to meet his striking, almond-shaped eyes. I heard myself say, “I don’t have a home.”

Since the moment Margaret passed, I had lost any sense of belonging.

The man in front of me blinked in surprise, opening his mouth as if to say something, but the words didn’t come.

I forced a faint smile, self-deprecating, and said, “Thanks for tonight.”

As I turned to leave, he quickly grabbed the sleeve of my jacket. I looked back to find him hesitating before finally blurting out, “How about you come to my place?”

Seeing my silence, he quickly added, “Don’t worry, I’m not some creep.”

I didn’t refuse his kindness. Unlike Evelyn’s cramped two-bedroom apartment, his home was spacious and inviting.

He handed me a glass of warm water and softly said, “My parents are out of town. Feel free to make yourself comfortable.”

I nodded, watching him carefully make the bed in the guest room, a warmth spreading in my chest.

As he reached the door, he turned and said, “I’m Leo Haddington. And you are?”

“Elise Winter.”

He smiled at my answer. “Elise, goodnight.”

The next day was my first day at school. I woke up early, and when I opened the door, I found Leo already sitting at the table, eating breakfast.

He was surprised to see me awake so early. “Elise? You’re up already?”

I took the slice of bread he handed me and replied, “I’m reporting to my new school today.”

“New school?” He poured me a glass of milk and asked, “Which school?”

“Merit High School. Do you know it?”

His hand paused as he looked up at me. “What a coincidence. Elise, we’re at the same school. Want to go together?”

I nodded.

On the way there, I sat on the back of his bike, distracted by the way his coat fluttered in the wind.

When we arrived at the school, he slung his backpack over one shoulder and asked, “Do you know which class you’re in?”

I racked my brain, recalling what Evelyn had mentioned over dinner last night. Unsure, I said, “I think it’s Class 8 of Senior Year.”

He nodded. “I know your homeroom teacher. I’ll take you to find him.”

As we entered the building, we ran into Liam, who was coming down the stairs with a stack of papers.

He saw me and frowned. “Elise? What are you doing here?”

Leo, sensing the hostility in Liam’s tone, stepped in between us. “Who’s this?”

I answered blankly, “I don’t know him.”

Liam let out a mocking laugh upon hearing my response. He seemed to have come to some realization and asked, “You’re not here to study, are you?”

He glanced at my backpack and burst into laughter. “Well, well, well. Didn’t know! My mom already refunded your tuition fees! How shameless of you to show up for class.”

I stumbled backward in shock, but Leo was quick to catch me.

My mind went blank as I ignored Liam’s mockery and turned to Leo. “Take me to the homeroom teacher.”

No one would take away my right to education. If that happened, I would fight for it on my own.