They Chose the Nanny, I Chose to Stop Funding Them Chapter 06
I held the phone, feeling a mix of disbelief and amusement as I listened to Mom’s self-righteous demand.
“Living expenses? Julia’s wages? But I thought you adopted Julia as your daughter!”
There was a full three second pause on the other end of the line, as if she’d never expected me to say that. Then, Mom’s voice rose by a few decibels as she continued demanding impatiently, yet I could hear a tinge of guilt in her voice.
“What does that have to do with you sending us the money? We raised you all these years and put you through college, Genevieve! Isn’t it only right that you send us the money for our monthly living expenses?”
“Only right?” I chuckled lightly. “If I remember correctly, Dad slammed his fists on the table and said that you both had enough retirement savings for yourselves, and that you didn’t need my money. You also accused me for only caring about money instead of family ties.
“It hasn’t even been that long since he said that, and you’re already asking for money from me?”
“But that… That was just something he said while angry!” Mom exclaimed in a fluster. She also stuttered a little, but she still tried to use the “Mom” card on me.
“Now stop talking nonsense and give us the money! You haven’t paid Julia yet either. It’s not easy for her to live with us.”
“Julia’s pay?”
My tone went even colder than before. Each word dripped with pent-up anger and resentment as I said, “Since she’s your daughter now, isn’t it only right that she serves you and cares for you for free? What kind of daughter takes care of her parents while expecting a salary?
“Since you dote on her like your own daughter, she should be the one covering your expenses instead. Why are you asking me for money now?”
“Genevieve Peterson! How could you be so heartless!”
Dad’s voice suddenly came from the side, clearly having snatched the phone from Mom. He sounded absolutely furious.
“We raised you for years and endured so much hardship to bring you up! And now, you think that you’re all grown up and too good for us, don’t you? How could you refuse to pay for our living expenses! Are you trying to kill us?”
“Kill you?”
Years of pent-up anger finally erupted as all of the resentment and bitterness I’d harbored for years poured out.
“You were the ones who forced me to go to Berrington to make a living, calling me shameful and unambitious for wanting to stay and work in the village! I
“I worked myself to the bone for years, sending you 5,000 dollars every month for living expenses, and even spent a fortune hiring Julia to take care of you knowing you wouldn’t want to use the money for it.
“And yet, you said that I only cared about money and didn’t care about you at all. I refused to quit my job and give up my career, so you took in the caretaker as your daughter, left the house to her, and kicked me out.
“Why didn’t you think of me as your daughter then? How could you only think of me just because you miss my money now? It’s too late!”
I took a steadying breath and said, “From today onward, I will not be sending you a single dollar. I’m not paying Julia’s wages, either. You say that she’s a very caring and devoted daughter, right? Let her support you instead! We’re nothing but strangers from now on!”
“You wouldn’t dare! I dare you to hang up on me, Genevieve Peterson! If you do, you’re not my daughter anymore! i don’t have a daughter like you!”
Dad’s furious roar came through the receiver, and I could even hear him smashing things up in the background.
I didn’t want to listen to him anymore. I also didn’t bother arguing with them. Instead, I just hung up on them and immediately blocked both Mom’s and Dad’s numbers on my phone without hesitation.
I had sacrificed years of my life for them, only to be met with endless accusations and betrayal. I was tired, exhausted, and utterly heartbroken.
The phone only remained silent for a few minutes before text messages from them began flooding in.
The screen flashed incessantly, filled with insults and accusations from my parents, each word piercing straight into me. They called me an ungrateful wench, a disrespectful daughter, a heartless monster, and other terrible things.
