Chapter 1

Mom took out Dad's will.

It read: My entire estate is to be inherited by my eldest son, while my daughter is to handle the debts.

I looked at the aged document in disbelief.

My brother seemed unfazed, as if it were the most natural thing: "You're Dad's daughter, and there's a saying that a daughter pays her father's debts. You should accept your fate."

Mom nodded in agreement, "Yes, you can't just ignore it, or we'll take legal action against you."

I tossed the will aside.

A will without proper witnesses or legal validation is nothing more than a piece of scrap paper.

"Are you serious?"

I not only threw the will but also stomped on it several times.

Dad's assets included an old house in the downtown area and a mere $30,000 in savings, all bequeathed to my brother.

Yet they expected me to cover the $100,000 debt Dad left behind.

In that moment, Mom and Brother felt like complete strangers.

"How can you do this? Dad just passed away, and you want him to rest in peace with such regrets?"

Brother pushed past me and carefully retrieved the will.

Mom's eyes were filled with reproach.

"From childhood, haven't I done so much for this family? How can you ignore that?"

"Now you want to dump all the debt on me while you enjoy the benefits. Is that fair?"

Brother scoffed, crossing his arms.

"Fair? There's no such thing as fairness in this world."

"Since Dad left a will, we have to follow it."

"Stop making a scene and figure out how to pay up, so you don't drag us down."

Brother didn't even finish middle school.

He's completely illiterate.

To him, this will was absolute, and I had to obey it.

Mom and Dad didn't have much education either.

They thought they could control me with a simple will.

Mom added her voice to the conversation.

"Cora, don't be stubborn."

"We have no choice. Your brother is the breadwinner and needs to inherit the family business."

"You need to make some sacrifices to help the family through this tough time."

Mom's words struck me hard, making me see reality clearly.

To her, I was just a pawn to be sacrificed at will.

I once thought Mom loved me dearly.

Dad never liked me and was often harsh with me.

Whenever I was upset, it was Mom who comforted me.

She often said we were family, and families fight and make up.

Dad often abused Mom, and I was the one who protected her.

At that time, I believed Mom and I were both victims in the family.

I thought we needed to support each other.

So, I worked hard in school, hoping to succeed and take care of Mom.

I took a deep breath, trying to hold back my tears.

"This will is invalid. The court won't recognize it, and neither will I."

"How dare you refuse?"

Brother kicked the table angrily, his face contorted with rage.

It seemed like he would hit me any second.

Mom stopped him, turning to me with tears in her eyes.

"Cora, why are you being so unreasonable?"

"We're family. If you make a scene, people will laugh at us."

Those tears would have broken my heart before.

But now, I only felt deep sadness.

"Mom, it's not me being unreasonable. You're being too much!"

"You only think about Brother. Have you ever considered me?"

"Do you know how much a $100,000 debt burdens me?"

Brother glared at me, gritting his teeth:

"Stop playing the victim. Just because you studied a few more years doesn't make you special. Dad's will is clear; you have to accept it!"

He stepped forward, ready to charge.

I fearlessly met his gaze, standing tall.

"Don't try anything! If you touch me again, I'll call the police!"

At the mention of "police," Brother and Mom's faces turned pale.

They never expected me, always obedient, to resist so firmly.

Mom's tears flowed unchecked, trying to use family ties to sway me.

"Cora, are you really going to be so heartless?"

"We're your family. How can you turn against us for money?"

My voice was filled with sorrow: "If you insist on forcing me, then see you in court."