Chapter 3 We Are In Trouble

• I recalled my previous life, where I had relentlessly struggled and hustled, all to provide a better life for my younger siblings.
• I worked at a factory to earn money and applied for scholarships to fund my education. Despite days plagued by hunger and insufficient clothing, I managed to pass the entrance exams for prestigious universities.
• However, after working countless part-time jobs and making money through product promotion to support my younger siblings, I was betrayed by this ruthless family who conspired against me.
• I was cyberbullied. When I returned to the village, my father married me off to an old pervert from the neighboring village.
• With a heavy heart, Greta suggested, “Why don't you come stay with us for a while, just to avoid any trouble your father might cause? Worst case, it's just one more mouth to feed, and the Lavigne family can certainly handle that!”
• A pang of bitterness washed over me. In my previous life, Greta had been just as warm-hearted, but I, blind to reality, had flatly rejected her.
• After accepting Greta's kindness, I recomposed myself.
• I knew my father wouldn't just let it go.
• It took a week for my body to recover substantially.
• Upon returning to the village, I discovered that the news of my father forcing me to drop out of school to support the family, and his demand for money on the very day of my mother's funeral, had already created quite a stir.
• The chatter of the crowd was relentless, with everyone adding their own two cents. They spoke about my father in such a way that he hadn't dared to return to the village recently.
• After informing Greta, I made a trip back home.
• Just as I stepped through the front door, Leon's resonant voice rang out.
• “Delilah, where have you been? Mom just passed away, and you've already stopped caring about us?”
• Freya, who was standing next to him, glared at me, her face full of resentment.
• “Are you planning to run off with some random man, just like those women out there? Dad was right about you! You are nothing but trouble, Delilah.”
• I never would have imagined that in just a few days, my ten-year-old siblings could utter such hurtful words.
• A lump formed in my throat. I silently made my way to the backyard, taking away every egg laid by our old hen and the piglets from the pen.
• Freya approached me, tugging at my sleeve and tearfully pleading for me not to go.
• “These belong to our family. Where are you planning to take them?”
• “Am I not a part of the Zuckerman family? If you keep crying like this, you'll have to beg your father for food in the future!” I scoffed, brushing her hand away.
• Freya, despite her tender age, was more mature than Leon.
• Knowing that she wouldn't gain any favors from our father, she reluctantly let go.
• Before I left, they finally couldn't bear it any longer and cried out in hunger.
• “Delilah, I'm craving scrambled eggs.”
• While struggling to carry the piglets and eggs, I turned my head and gave them a smile.
• “Dad said that enduring hardships is key to accomplishing great things. So what if you haven't had a proper meal in a few days? Can't you cook for yourselves?”
• Ignoring my younger siblings who were crying louder and louder, I left after saying my piece.
• After selling the piglets and eggs, I managed to gather enough for my tuition fees.
• I returned to Greta's home and started doing household chores.
• I tilled the soil, gathered crops for pigs, fed the chickens, and swept the courtyard.
• Greta assisted me and showered me with praise.
• Suddenly, Greta's son burst through the door, panting heavily.
• “Mom, we're in trouble! Neville took the money and he's going to sell Delilah to that seventy-year-old man at the entrance of the village! The old man's family has already shown up at our door.”
• Greta was taken aback and promptly went out.
• I stood at the back, feeling desolate.
• I had suspected early on that my father wouldn't let things go easily.