Livestreaming the Low-Budget Life Chapter 08
Ruby was clearly the most displeased, even more than my parents.
Ever since moving into the shabby apartment, she hadn’t stopped complaining. Used to a life of luxury, she couldn’t handle living so modestly.
When Dad realized the live stream wasn’t making much, he shut it off.
It felt like a shame. I wouldn’t get to see their silly antics anymore.
I’d been in Delvoria for over two weeks and had settled in quickly. My Elarish was strong, but I didn’t speak Delvorian yet, so I’d been teaching myself on the side.
I had also picked up a part-time job at a restaurant. It was a great way to get to know the area, practice my Delvorian, and earn a little money at the same time.
With two months left before college started, I was really looking forward to my time abroad.
I’d assumed life would just go on quietly. But one day, Ruby and my parents showed up at the restaurant where I worked, looking drained from their travels.
I didn’t flinch. Truth be told, I’d half-expected it.
I was sure my parents would ask Ms. Langley where I was. But even if they knew I was in Delvoria and which college I was at, so what? Delvoria was huge. There was no way they could find me.
Apparently, I had seriously underestimated them. Somehow, they tracked me down to the restaurant where I was working part-time.
My parents looked at me eagerly, hoping I’d step outside to talk. Ruby hung back, looking unhappy.
I didn’t want to make a scene in the restaurant, so I went out.
“What do you want from me?” I asked sharply.
My parents looked guilty. “We were wrong, Aria,” Dad said. “Come back with us.”
Seriously? If I went back now, I’d be stuck living a miserable life with them. Or were they planning to sell me off?
No way. I wasn’t stupid.
Mom hurried forward and grabbed my hand. “I’m sorry, Aria. We shouldn’t have done that. We acted without thinking. Please forgive us and come home. You’re all alone in a foreign country, and we’re worried sick.”
They were apologizing, but when I looked at them, all I saw were hollow, empty gestures. Not a single tear touched their eyes.
With a cold glare, I yanked my hand free from hers, disgust curling through me. “I’m fine here. You don’t have to worry about me.”
Mom pulled Ruby closer. “But you still have Ruby. She’s alone at home. She misses you.”
They were still trying to sway me with Ruby. They probably had no idea what she’d done to me.
Honestly, I should thank her for sending me that live stream link and bragging right in front of me. If she hadn’t, I
might never have left so decisively.
I laughed as I asked, “Ruby, do you really want me to go back?”
She nodded eagerly. “Yes.”
Now she actually wanted me to go back and suffer with them. The same girl who had locked me in the restroom and bullied me, who had told me never to even think about going back.
Joy wasn’t meant to be shared between us, but misery apparently was. How absurd.
I looked at them calmly. “I’m not going back with you. We’ve cut ties, remember? Dad has signed the papers. I won’t ask you for a single penny, and you shouldn’t ask me for money either.”
My words were harsh, but they had to be said.
