I had a cousin my age.
She overslept and was late for her SATs. Yet, she pinned the blame on me, saying that I made her take some fever medication.
She stole 300 thousand meant for Grandma’s surgery, claiming it was to buy me a car.
She even insisted I was at fault when she accidentally got pregnant and took the wrong abortion pills, leading to severe bleeding. She vehemently insisted I pushed her, causing her to fall.
My boyfriend stood by her side time and time again. Eventually, he finally gave up on me, telling me it was over.
My aunt shoved me down the stairs, accusing me of ruining her daughter’s life.
My boyfriend witnessed the whole thing, but he told them I had fallen by accident when the police came.
I died without ever seeing justice for myself.
When I thought my life was finally over, I opened my eyes. I had returned to the day my cousin stole the money meant for Grandma’s surgery.
——
“You lost your parents at a young age. So, we took you in when you were only four. Your uncle and I raised you like you were our own. How could you repay us by treating my girl like this, you little wretch?
“When you were kids, you tore up her books, stole her pens, wouldn’t let her study in peace, and even convinced her classmates to shut her out.
“Now that she’s an adult, you’ve got her stealing your grandma’s surgery money to buy you a car? You heartless, rotten soul—why don’t you just drop dead?”
My aunt yanked my hair, slapping me over and over. The way she looked at me was filled with such hate. I swore she would have torn me to pieces if she could have.
My cheek was swollen, my mouth filled with the taste of blood.
However, I had grown up under her violent mercies. So, I was more than used to this.
Still, all I could feel now was relief. I had truly been reborn!
I spat out a mouthful of blood and sneered, “Oh, now you remember your daughter’s all grown up? Adults can take responsibility for their own actions. So, don’t go blaming me whenever she screws up, saying I told her what to do. If I told her to eat dirt, would she?”
My aunt was about to lose her mind. She yanked my hair even harder as she raised her hand to strike again.
