Amanda merely cast a fleeting glance her way, dismissively remarking, "Just leave it there."

Her gaze dripped with disdain.

"It was just cooking oatmeal. What took you so long? Useless!

"And now you've made it all mushy, how am I supposed to eat this?"

She grumbled incessantly, never once considering preserving a shred of dignity for her own daughter in front of so many others.

Lizzy stood by, head bowed, seemingly oblivious, as if she had long grown accustomed to it all.

Suddenly, Lizzy lifted her head, locking eyes with me directly.

"Auntie, long time no see."

When I left, Lizzy was already seven years old and adept at recognizing people.

As I stopped feeling sorry for her, this statement struck me as somewhat eerie.

I was suddenly reminded of my mother's snide words from the past.

"You seem quite concerned about that little girl.

"You fool! She sells you out, and you will still be worried about her!"

Back then, I brushed it off, thinking my mother was just venting as usual.

But at this moment, the gaze projected by Lizzy across the table seemed to merge with the look she gave me five years ago. At that time, I planned to escape the village and attend university, but Lizzy stood in the doorway, staring into my eyes.

A sudden chill ran down my spine.

At her age, young girls still struggled to conceal their emotions well. However, despite the faint smile on her face, Lizzy's eyes couldn't hide the malice brewing within.

For the past five years, I had been unable to comprehend why, despite meticulously planning everything, I was still discovered by my family.

If it weren't for my teacher's timely intervention, I might never have escaped this secluded village nestled in the mountains.

I would have been forced to marry an old man by my mother, condemned to a life of laundry, cooking, and childbearing, a fate sealed without reprieve.

Under the pitch-black sky, clutching my ID, I made my way out.

A soft voice echoed from behind, "Auntie, where are you off to?"

Cold sweat trickled down my back as I frantically scanned my surroundings. Only after confirming no one else was present did I exhale deeply.

As I looked at Lizzy, who I had always shielded, a pang of guilt washed over me. But I understood that staying here would mean settling for a life of mediocrity.

I approached, gently patting her head, whispering, "Be a good girl, Liz."

At that time, I still called her nickname "Liz."

Born into a family that favored sons over daughters, I could sense her sorrow.

"Liz, I'm going to university. Remember, you must persevere in your studies, okay?

"Education is our only chance to escape the mountains, our sole path to changing our fate..."

With her head bowed in the dim light, I couldn't discern Lizzy's expression, only hearing her somber words.

"Can you take me with you?"

"Sorry."

That was the only answer I could give back then.

Back then, I was just a newly adult girl, using the money I had saved from working to buy the nearest train ticket.

As for what lay ahead, I couldn't guarantee anything, especially with a seven-year-old niece in tow.

Time was running out, so I hastily bid her farewell and rushed to the train station.

But at the last moment, my parents, Tomas, and others caught up, shattering my plans entirely.

If it weren't for my teacher's timely help, I might never have left.

At that moment, I felt like I had survived a disaster. My mind was in chaos, so I couldn't continue to think about why I had been discovered so quickly.

Now I thought, "Perhaps she had a hand in this all along...

Maybe her heart has rotted long before then..."

"Auntie?"

Lizzy's voice snapped me back to reality. I forced a smile, saying, "Still remember me?"

"Of course, how could I forget Auntie?"

Every word she said was eerie.

I exchanged a few perfunctory words with her before diving into my meal.

To my surprise, no one touched that pot of oatmeal in the end.

Lizzy, like a shadow, faded into an unnoticed corner, her oatmeal left untouched as well.

As guests departed, I pretended to help tidy up, all while discreetly observing Lizzy's every move.

She silently picked up the oatmeal from the table and headed outside.

I followed quietly behind.

Lizzy poured the oatmeal into the neighbor's large black dog's bowl and grabbed a stick from the ground, striking it forcefully.

At this moment, the neighbor was still helping at our place, unaware of the commotion here.

Lizzy tactfully positioned herself, the startled black dog barking furiously and lunging towards her.

But tethered by a rope, it couldn't reach her.

The dog, unable to bite her, lost interest and caught a whiff of the aroma from the bowl, eagerly digging in.

I had seen this big black dog always barking loudly at young Lizzy before, who would freeze in fear, rooted to the spot, tears streaming down her face.

Lizzy's parents never paid her any mind. It used to be me who would run to comfort her and take her away.

But the Lizzy standing before me now, faced with the very same black dog she once feared, showed no trace of fear at all.

She shed the timid, pleasing smile on her face and wore an expression of cold indifference.

"Eat up, have as much as you want! Since those bastards won't touch it, let you have it!"

Before long, the dog let out a whimper and collapsed on the ground.

Throughout the night, the neighbor's house was filled with commotion, but all that reached our side was a simple remark, "What bad luck!"