ally changed and is diffe

ing pale. Her fingers trembled as she pulled out every drawer

th

th

to creep into her body. The money and go

le," she muttered, her

rner. The small box where she kept the money from royalties from writing novels

to tighten. Sh

nes, writing stories in her spare time between jobs at the library. No one knew ab

everythin

ermission. At first, Nadine ignored it, thinking that the woman was just

, she found her dressing

he had closed it ti

she walked over and pulled the drawer wider. The cont

footsteps outside the room. When she turned around, she saw Au

urprised, but in a matter of seconds, her facial exp

rying to read her

?" she asked, her tone fl

hest. "This house is mine! I can go anywhere I want!" his voic

ip, not wanting

Auntie?" she asked again,

est earlier, I wanted to light a cigarette, but I don't know where my lighter is! Besid

was s

't want

days later, Aunt Clara sta

that rarely happened. The woman spooned rice onto her plate whil

ediately stopped her movements. Sh

Aunt

for somethin

put down her spoon slowly and lo

e asked in a

, you shameless child! I've taken care of you

nder the table. She had hea

for, Auntie?" she asked ag

unt Clara snapped. "N

s. She knew it was useless to argue with her aunt.

it or..." Nadine left

collect in this house, yes, it's my right too! I've taken care of you since you were little. If only your parents hadn't died like that, my life wouldn't be

rice at her nie

cursed. She knew her aunt was a money-grubber, but heari

without permission," she said soft

ights, huh? Listen, Nadine. You're a guest in this house. If I want, I can kick you out anyt

s blood

u since I was 20 years old. Because of y

oomed even louder in this shabby rented house. "Now count, from when you were 5 years old

en tighter, wanting to re

you're already acting like you're rich! Think, think

lly, this house belonged to her aunt. And even though she was independent,

e her lip and avoi

nued, her tone full of mockery. "So don't act like you wa

pond anymore. She just finished

r finding her mon

the incident cam

dine r

ra had s

tie can'

o windows were open, no doors were br

sat on the cold wooden floor,

ho took it... Then wha

miserable life. She had saved every penny with great struggle, hoping

ng was gone in a

enny to survive the next 3 weeks. N

She could only sit there, with a head ful

ould sh