PRESENT"Saoirse! Is that really you? My, it's a miracle that you passed by here today! I can't even remember the last time I saw you, huh?" Dorothea asked in surprise. She was an old vendor at the wet market, where Saoirse bought ingredients for cooking.She had become close to Dorothea because she was kind and always gave her a discount. The old lady also had a daughter about her age, Thea. Indeed, there was probably no one she didn't know in their village.Saoirse Watson was known in their small village for her kindness. She was polite, kind, and hardworking. She had no enemies, so almost everyone was her friend. Well... not everyone, because her family was different.She smiled and nodded. "Yes, it's me, Dorothea. I've just been busy with work,"But everyone also knew that there was more to the reason why people seldom saw Saoirse nowadays. Thea narrowed her eyes and looked at her. "You can fool everyone, girl. But not me and Mama. I'm sure you've got another part-time job. Or side hustle. That's why you hardly have time for yourself. Whenever we see you, you look like a zombie!" Her friend scolded, but there was concern in her words.She shook her head. "But, that's a good thing, right? It's good that I have a lot of work and I don't waste my time on useless things,"Thea sighed in front of her. "There's nothing wrong with being hard-working, Saoirse. But it's wrong to kill yourself working for your lazy family. They don't even appreciate you!""That's too much, not really!" She denied.Their mother joined their conversation. "What are you buying today, Saoirse?"She looked at the displayed meats. "Please give me three kilograms of pork and chicken,""You seem to be buying a lot today?""I received a decent tip at work,""Meaning, you're overworking yourself again. My daughter is right, Saoirse. Why do you always take on all the responsibility for your family? You have parents. They're not disabled, and they're not old yet. Even though my back hurts, I still continue to work. Your parents have entrusted everything to you,"Thea nodded in agreement with her mother. "You're right, mama. Even her sister Samara, she's so awful! Saoirse couldn't even afford to go to college, but now she's the one paying for Samara's college! Why doesn't she become a working student to help you at least? Because she doesn't want to. She's so spoiled and relies on you for everything, and because you're foolish, you keep helping your ungrateful sister," Thea's teeth clenched as she spoke.Saoirse winced at what the mother and daughter were saying. She wanted to defend her family, but they had a point."Oh, Samara, a working student? That's like asking for the impossible! Of course, that brat wouldn't do it! She's a social climber and thinks she's rich. Sorry, Saoirse. But my daughter and I just feel sorry for you. Can you imagine, you're the one providing for your freeloading family. They can't even thank you. Why don't you just leave your family? You're at the right age now, and you can support yourself," Dorothea suggested as she prepared the meat she was buying.Many have said she was foolish, and she seemed to be begging for love from her family. She didn't understand why her family looked at her differently, except for her younger brother, Sawyer, who treated her well. At first, she thought she was adopted. But she wasn't. She knew she wasn't adopted; she resembled her grandmother, so she knew she was a Watson. She just didn't understand why she could never be loved by her parents and why her older sister, Samara, was always angry with her.Nevertheless, Saoirse was a martyr. She sought a little affection from her family. She had a full-time job as a cashier at a supermarket, a part-time job at a fast-food restaurant, and she was also a janitress at a clinic. She worked almost 16 hours a day just to meet her family's needs.She didn't finish her studies. She didn't even finish high school, so her opportunities were limited. She could only get jobs with low pay."You should convince Justin to marry you so you can leave that worthless and ungrateful family of yours," Thea said irritably and grimly.She smiled at the thought of her boyfriend. Justin was the only one who brought happiness to her difficult and dark life. "Let it be, we'll get there eventually. Maybe when Samara finishes college, she'll help me with the household expenses. I can get married then,"At her words, Dorothea and Thea exchanged glances. The two were not convinced by what she said. "Huh, well, let's see. What you're saying is as likely as snow in the Sahara. I'm sure when Samara finishes college, your sister will be so full of herself. She won't help you,"Saoirse prayed that it wouldn't happen. In just a few months, Samara would finish her Fashion Design course. Her dream would come true, her expenses would be reduced, and Samara would finally be able to help her. That's what she wanted to believe in.Dorothea handed her a large plastic bag. "Here you go, Saoirse. I added an extra kilo because I know it's only your family who will consume this, and you might not even get to eat. Just know that if you need help, we're here for you, okay?"She smiled. While she never experienced a mother's love, at least Dorothea showed concern for her. "Thank you very much. I'll see you soon!" She handed over the payment and waved goodbye.She saw the e-bikes waiting by the side of the road. They provided service wherever you needed to go. But they cost two dollars. Every cent was valuable to her. Despite wanting to ride an e-bike to avoid getting tired from walking home, she decided to walk instead.She also needed to save the two dollars for Samara's allowance. She gave her sister $25 a day for university, which included transportation and food. Her sister even complained that it wasn't enough. However, she couldn't increase her sister's allowance because she had many expenses at home.She sighed. The e-bike riders noticed her. "Saoirse! Long time no see! Want a ride?"She smiled and shook her head. "Sorry! But I'll pass!""But you look really tired. Come on, I'll ride you home. I won't ask for payment," Marc said with concern.If she were someone else, she might agree. But she knew how hard it was to earn money, so she didn't want to take advantage of other people's generosity towards her. She shook her head and smiled. "Thank you for the offer, Marc. But like me, you work hard too. It would be a waste of battery and effort if you were to take me home for free. Let's save it for my next salary, I'll ride with your e-bike then."She saw Marc's cheeks flush. He sighed. "Alright, I won't insist. You're such a decent woman, Saoirse. Any man would be proud to have you as their girlfriend. Justin is very lucky to have you," he commented.Many people said the same thing. Justin was very lucky to have chosen her. Not to boast, but she knew she was beautiful. She wasn't blessed with tall height, but many said her face was innocent and beautiful, resembling Mama Mary. Her brownish hair was long and straight. Her skin was smooth and fair, like a pearl. She also had a healthy chest and buttocks. She was just a simple girl. She was also aware that many said she was far more beautiful than Samara.Her sister Samara, on the other hand, was the perfect definition of a modern woman. Tall, well-built, and good at dressing up. She wore daring clothes and was skilled at makeup. She looked like a model, but she was never envious of her. She was happy with what her sister had.Moments later, Saoirse realized she was already in front of their house. But as she stood outside, she noticed their neighbors seemed to be gossiping about their house."Saoirse, it's good you're here. Your family is causing trouble again," a neighbor said with a sigh.She frowned. "What's happening?""As usual, your parents are fighting. Your father was beaten up by a guy he was gambling with,"Her eyes widened in shock. "What?!" She didn't let them finish and hurriedly entered the house.The neighbors were right. As she entered the door, she almost got hit by a plate. Her parents were throwing things at each other."Mama? Papa? What's happening here?" She asked with concern.Her parents both looked at her, their eyes filled with anger. She gulped. She knew what would come next. Their anger would be directed at her."And you, young lady! Why are you only coming home now? You should have been home from work earlier!" Her mother said, her tone angry."If you had come home earlier instead of gallivanting outside, I wouldn't have been beaten up!" Her father shouted angrily.She raised the plastic bag she was carrying. "Papa, I wasn't gallivanting. I went to the wet market to buy meat for the dish. What happened?"Her mother, Belle, rolled her eyes. "Well, your stupid father lost again in gambling! He thought he could recover his losses. But he kept losing and ended up owing money to his opponent. When he couldn't pay, he got beaten up!""That Richard is an animal! He thinks he's rich! Damn it! I'll get back at him! I'll beat him up too!" Her father shouted angrily.She sighed deeply. This scenario was not new to her. Every day, this was what happened in their lives. Her father was fond of gambling and was a playboy. Her mother was an alcoholic and a nagger. She had experienced being beaten by her parents when she was young. So, she didn't expect anything from them anymore; she had become the parent for her family."Give me money, Saoirse. I need to recover what I lost in gambling!" Her father's eyes were red as he looked at her. There was no "please" in his words. It seemed like he didn't even think about wasting money.Her mother, trying to look innocent, also chimed in. "Me too, give me money. My throat is itching. I want to drink alcohol now, even just a bottle. Your father made me angry. Hurry up, give me money!"Before she could even say that she had nothing to give, the door of their house opened again, and Samara emerged, looking like she came from a shopping mall. From head to toe, she was wearing branded clothes. She wondered, were these clothes allowed at the University? Did she really come from school?"Big sister, it's good that you're here at home too. Give me $1500. We need to tour Clarins City. It's a project for school. I can't not go; it's part of my grades. And of course, my classmates will laugh at me," Samara said arrogantly, hinting that she had hidden money in the bank.Saoirse felt her family was getting too much. Nobody even asked if she was tired or if she had eaten. Indeed, in the eyes of her family, she was nothing but a servant!And she was tired too. She faced them bravely. It was the first time she would refuse them. "Sorry, but I won't give you anything,""What did you say?!" They all replied loudly and at the same time.