Livestreaming the Low-Budget Life Chapter 09
I’d handled everything on my own for the past six years. Nothing ahead could ever be harder than what I’d already been through. I could take care of myself.
My parents grew frustrated. “Aria, how can you be so heartless?”
I owned up to being heartless.
“And don’t think you can make me leave. I’m on a student visa in Delvoria. How long do you think you could ever stay?”
I didn’t really think they could drag me away when I refused.
We were at an impasse.
colá.”
Mom and Dad didn’t know what to do when they saw how determined I was. Finally, their words turned cold. ” Fine. Let’s just act like you were never our daughter.”
Their eyes had been warm just moments ago, but now a flicker of darkness in them sent a shiver down my spine.
Just as they were leaving, Ruby stepped up beside me, her voice low and venomous. “Aria, give me ten million dollars, or I’ll post your video.”
I laughed. “Go ahead. I don’t care. But think about it. Who do you think that video would hurt more, you or me? Try it, and I’ll report you to the police and take you to court.”
A few days later, Ruby went ahead and posted the video of her and her friends bullying me in the restroom, tearing at my clothes. It went viral almost instantly.
But I was in Delvoria by then, far from anyone I knew back home. Even if someone I knew happened to see it, it wouldn’t have mattered to me.
Ruby hadn’t expected the online reaction. I wasn’t getting shamed or mocked. Instead, everyone was going after the person who’d filmed it.
“Isn’t this bullying? What’s the point of posting the victim’s video?”
“Did the bully post this just to get roasted?”
“Report it.”
It seemed like most people online were actually decent.
Ruby must’ve sensed the backlash. She scrambled to delete the video.
But too bad for her. I’d already saved it, along with proof of her spreading it and making false claims about me. Now, I would report her to the police and take her to court.
Once Ruby realized things were spiraling out of control, she found my number and pleaded with me not to involve the police.
I ignored her. She had to deal with the aftermath on her own.
But apparently, my parents smoothed everything over with their money and connections. They really did care about Ruby.
College had begun, and the academic pressure was intense.
My days passed in a gray rhythm, yet they carried a quiet sense of purpose and a flicker of hope. For me, studying was the only real chance to shape my future.
Then, one day, I found myself clicking on the link to that live stream again. Only then did I learn that my parents and Ruby were streaming once more.
The original live stream had been replaced by a new one, centering on Ruby. My parents were trying to find hera wealthy husband, saying that anyone who liked her could marry her, as long as they were rich.
She wasn’t even old enough to get married, and they were already talking about marrying her off.
I was shocked. Wasn’t this basically selling Ruby? Didn’t they love her? Why were they treating her this way?
Ruby had been dressed to look older, seated before the camera. Even as she smiled, the fear and worry in her eyes were unmistakable.
As her twin, I felt like I could almost feel exactly what she was feeling. I let out a sudden laugh, my thoughts tangled in a storm of emotions.
