Chapter 752 - 748: I Cannot Go Back

"I... I want to..."

It seemed difficult for Melinda Sterling to speak, but the thought of being sent back by Cecilia made her clench her jaw and dredge up all the unpleasant memories from the depths of her heart.

"I want to leave that house."

She finally managed a complete sentence and lifted her head.

Her eyes were brimming with tears, but her gaze was resolute.

"I don’t know what my purpose was in that family. Was it to take care of my younger brothers and get beaten in their place since I was little? If my brother cried, I got hit. If my brother got into trouble, I got hit. If my brother snatched my things, I still got hit!"

"Or was it to help my mom with chores? I cooked, I washed the dishes, swept and mopped the floors, did the laundry... I did all the housework. I could do it, of course I could, but why did I still get yelled at after doing it all? Whether I did a good job or not, I would always get yelled at."

"I really don’t get it. Everyone says people from our hometown favor boys over girls, but I’ve never seen any other girl who was looked down on as much as I was. They all got at least a little bit of warmth from their families, a little bit of their parents’ love. But why didn’t I get any?"

"Is it because I have three younger brothers? Was all the love used up before it got to me?"

"I’ve never been loved. I’ve never felt love my entire life. When I had a fever, I had to go to the hospital by myself. The first time I got my period, it was the next-door neighbor who taught me how to use a pad."

"So I studied as hard as I could. I wanted to test into a university and get out, to get far, far away from that home."

As she said this, Melinda subconsciously clenched her fists.

Cecilia noticed the shift in her emotions and couldn’t bear it. "Mindy..."

But Melinda didn’t seem to hear her and continued, lost in her own world. "But on the day of the college entrance exams, even though they knew it was my exam day, no one at home cared. I was in a hurry, so I had to eat leftovers, and I ended up getting sick."

"My grades were so good, because I knew studying was my only way out. But I ruined everything on the most important day of my life!"

"I could have gotten into a really good university! I know I could have!"

At this point, Melinda couldn’t hold it in any longer and burst into tears. "But they were completely indifferent to all of it. I wasn’t expecting them to feel guilty, but I didn’t even get a single word of comfort. Who am I? In that moment, I really asked myself, ’Who am I? Who am I in this family?’"

"I wanted to repeat the year. I didn’t want to give up. I knew I could do it if I just had one more chance!" Melinda shook her head, a bitter smile showing through her tears. "No one agreed. They all said no. I don’t understand why they wouldn’t agree."

"Is it just because I’m a girl? If my brothers wanted the moon, they would’ve built a rocket to go get it for them. But I just want to test my way out and change my own destiny—is that not allowed?"

Estelle’s small face scrunched up as she listened, and she looked at Cecilia with a pained expression.

Cecilia’s heart ached as well. As a woman herself, she couldn’t completely feel what Melinda had been through, but she understood her tragic circumstances and helplessness one hundred percent.

For her to still think of using university to change her destiny in that kind of environment showed how rational and clear-headed she truly was.

Even after failing her college entrance exams, she didn’t completely lose herself. Instead, she packed her bags, took all her savings, and fled that abyss of a home.

This might have been her last act of courage.

’If I send her back, will she ever be able to be brave again in this lifetime?’

’Will she get another chance to be brave?’

But just when Cecilia and Estelle thought that was the full extent of Melinda’s suffering, she revealed something even more shocking.

She looked at Cecilia with absolute determination, almost gritting the words out through her teeth. "Cecilia, if you send me back, I’ll be forced to marry a divorced man in his thirties. Grandma said it’s better for a girl to marry well than to test well. That man is very rich, and he can give Grandma a huge bride price."

Cecilia’s brow furrowed. "What?"

’That old woman is unbelievable!’

But Cecilia believed one hundred percent that their grandmother was capable of something like this. A few years ago, she had arranged plenty of blind dates for Cecilia’s own mother, all with rich businessmen. Cecilia had no idea where the old woman managed to dig up so many of them.

’Even from our hometown, her reach is still so long. That old woman would really do anything for money.’

"Cecilia, I once overheard Grandma, my dad, and my younger uncle talking about my oldest and youngest aunts. They said that both of them went to Veridia in their teens. For the first few years, my oldest aunt sent all the money she earned in Veridia back home to pay for my dad’s and my uncle’s university tuition. But I still envy them. At least they didn’t have to live in that house forever."

"I really can’t go back, Cecilia. I’m begging you. Just pretend you never saw me. Just say you never picked me up. They won’t be able to find me then. Please, just let me go!"

Faced with her younger cousin’s pleas, Cecilia let out a long breath. "Do you have any friends in Lorcain?"

"N-No."

"How old are you?"

"Twenty."

Cecilia nodded, then stood up and grabbed her suitcase. "Come with me."

"Cecilia!" Melinda grabbed Cecilia’s hand, crying, "Don’t..."

"I’m not sending you back. But I need to find you a place to stay first." Cecilia softened her tone. "Your oldest aunt is still at work right now. I’ll bring her to see you tonight."

Hearing this, Melinda slowly loosened her grip, but she couldn’t completely let down her guard.

She was like a frightened bird, instinctively wary of every shadow.

At a budget hotel chain—cheap, but clean enough.

"Since you just got here and everything is so sudden, you don’t have any plans yet. So for now, I’ve arranged for you to stay here. I booked the room for a week. We can discuss things further when your aunt gets here tonight."

Cecilia glanced around the room. The budget hotel had all the basic amenities, but it certainly couldn’t meet any extra needs. She reminded Melinda, "Lorcain’s winters are very dry. Since there’s no humidifier, make sure you drink plenty of water. The bottled water in the hotel is free. When you run out, just call the staff and have them bring more."

Melinda nodded obediently.

Cecilia didn’t say much more, just offering some reassurance. "Don’t worry. You’re a legal adult now. As long as you don’t cut off contact, you’re not considered a missing person. It’ll be useless even if your family calls the police."

"So, in a little while, give your grandma or your dad a call to make sure they know you’re safe. As for their messages—whether they’re cursing you out or threatening you—don’t even look at them. Just check in with your family at a set time to let them know you’re okay."

"I understand, Cecilia." Melinda nodded, thinking what her cousin said made a lot of sense.

Cecilia patted her on the head and sighed helplessly. "Take a shower and get some sleep. Your aunt and I will come pick you up for dinner tonight."