Chapter 3When the Ashes Were Scattered

“And I’ll give you anything else you want in the future.”

Stella’s face fell. She clearly hadn’t expected my father to offer another test. To be honest, neither had I.

I looked up, and the feed was filled with advice.

【Scarlett, you should probably agree. They are your biological parents, after all. They probably won’t make it too hard.】

【Yeah, and Nina’s body is still at the hospital. You can’t wait forever. How long would it take you to earn that kind of money working part-time? Nina can’t wait that long.】

They were right. Nina couldn’t wait.

I had already tried everything. Borrowing money, applying for loans, looking for work… every time I saw a glimmer of hope, my parents would send someone to sabotage it. I was out of options. That’s why I had resorted to revealing my identity as a Sterling online, hoping public pressure would be my salvation.

And in the end? I was still being forced by my own parents to pass a twisted test just to bury my sister. The irony was suffocating.

After a long silence, I finally spoke. “Fine. I agree.”

For Nina, I had to.

Stella shot me a look of pure hatred. I ignored her and held out my hand.

“But please, can you give me the two thousand dollars first?”

“Her burial really can’t wait.”

Stella burst out laughing. “Scarlett, you’re really pushing it, aren’t you?”

“Still lying about Nina being dead?”

She turned to my parents. “Actually… Mom, Dad, I happened to see Scarlett outside a hotel with a boy the other day. This two thousand dollars, I wonder if she’s…”

She trailed off, her eyes darting pointedly to my stomach.

My parents’ suspicion was instantly ignited. My mother’s hand flew out and slapped me across the face.

“Scarlett! You’re only eighteen and you’re already fooling around with men? You want two thousand dollars from us? Not a chance!”

My father’s face was grim. “You want two thousand dollars that badly? Fine. Here’s your final test.”

“Earn two thousand dollars in one week.”

Stella couldn’t hold back a triumphant smirk.

I felt like I had been plunged into ice water. My chest heaved, a fire of helpless rage burning within me.

They left without another word.

Stella lingered, her eyes scanning the tiny, squalid apartment. “I was a little worried for a second there. I almost thought you’d win this time. Good thing Mom and Dad don’t believe you, as usual.”

“I don’t see how you’re going to pass this final test. Why don’t you get on your knees and beg me? I could help you out.”

“It’s just two thousand dollars. I can introduce you to a few benefactors. You take good care of them, and you could make not just two thousand, but two hundred thousand.”

“Besides,” she added with a vicious smile, “Mom and Dad already think you’re shameless. What difference does it make now?”

The feed erupted, cursing Stella, urging me to explain everything to my parents.

But what was the point?

They were always like this. They would act like they cared, calling me incessantly to make sure I paid my tuition, threatening to disown me if I didn't get an education. But when I asked to borrow the money, they would say:

“School is your own responsibility, Scarlett. You and your sister need to figure it out yourselves. There are plenty of opportunities in this world. If you’re willing to work hard, you can easily earn the money instead of just expecting handouts.”

They said this when I was still a minor, when it was illegal for me to work. I had to travel to a remote town, lie about my age, and sell my blood to pay for my education.

If they really cared, they would have investigated the moment they heard Nina was dead. But they didn’t. No matter how many times I told them, they were convinced I was lying.

After her final taunt, Stella left. I collapsed to the floor, powerless.

Utterly lost.

I needed two thousand dollars. Not to pass their test.

But to bury Nina.

And a body… a body couldn’t wait a week.

After a long time, I finally made a decision. I walked towards the city’s bar district.

What was a little more degradation?

If it meant Nina could finally rest in peace, I would do anything.