If I hadn't been reborn and seen their true colors after my death,I’d still clinging to this toxic family,taking on their burdens,giving without end.
A chill ran through me.
“Mom,my career’s just starting.I’m not rolling in money.Even if I were,I wouldn’t finance their illegal activities.”

Mom’s face twisted.
“No money?You just don’t want to help!Ungrateful wretch,selfish!Letting your sister get beaten by debt collectors?All that education was a waste, and you have no conscience!Give me money,or I’m not leaving!”
I laughed bitterly.They were the real family—Mom and Anna—and I was just their servant,to be exploited endlessly.
They only showed me a sliver of affection when they needed something from me.
It was like a starved child clinging to any bit of sweetness.
I steadied myself.

“Mom,your memory’s failing you.You said girls’ education was useless,it was better to start working early.You even forced me to drop out of middle school.I begged you all night—but you wouldn't change your mind.It was Aunt Karen paid my tuition.I studied hard,won scholarships,worked part-time to graduate.”
“But for Anna?Despite her poor grades, you hired one tutor after another.When academics failed,you paid for her to go to art school.You said that girls need a college education to get good jobs and make good marriages."
“I still don’t get it,as your daughters,why we were treated so differently.”
“But I’m done trying to figure it out.Whoever caused this mess cleans it up.She’s your daughter—deal with it.”

“Leave now,or security will escort you out.It won’t look good.”
Realizing I wasn’t going to back down,mom left,muttering I’d regret it.
But it wasn’t over.
During a contract signing at a café,the client took a call,then said the deal needed review,pending further notice.
I asked why.Then my firm called me.
“Sophia,there’s a trouble!Get back here right way!Check TikTok’s trending live stream!”
Rushing back,I could hear Mom’s shrill voice as I stepped off the elevator.
“Come see what kind of person big-shot lawyer Sophia Hayes is!She neglects her elderly mom,beats her sister!”
“My husband died young.I slaved to raise her,funded her education.Now she’s successful,she thinks I’m old and useless!”
“Her sister called her out on her behavior,so she attacked her!How can a daughter who abandons her mother and beats her sister be trusted to uphold justice as a lawyer?”
Anna,holding a stabilizer,mic clipped to her collar,sported visible bruises,playing the wounded victim.
“Thank you, my TikTok followers for supporting me.My sister can ignore me,even hit me,but not our mom!Mom raised her and helped her become a star at Dawson & Partners. You can't forget where you came from when you succeed!"