Chapter 2

I took a deep breath, the stale air of the room filling my lungs.

In my past life, I had cowered, cried, and eventually given in.

Brenda had beaten me that day, then dragged me to the kitchen to cook, her words lashing me worse than her fists.

David had watched, silent, occasionally sighing as if my suffering was an inconvenience to his peace.

Kevin had complained about the noise, then asked when dinner would be ready.

The memory fueled a rage I didn't know I possessed.

I looked at the flimsy wooden door. It had a cheap lock, easily broken.

I backed up, then threw my shoulder against it.

Pain shot through me, but the wood splintered.

Again.

The lock burst from the frame with a crack.

I stumbled into the hallway, right as Brenda was fumbling with the key.

Her eyes widened, then narrowed into slits of fury.

"You little bitch!" she screamed, lunging at me, her hands like claws.

I sidestepped her, but she grabbed my hair, yanking hard.

"You'll pay for that door! You'll pay for everything!"

Her slaps rained down on my face, stinging, blurring my vision.

"Stop it, Brenda!"

David' s voice, surprisingly firm, cut through the assault.

He stood at the end of the hall, his face a mask of annoyance, not concern.

"You're making a racket. The neighbors will hear."

Brenda loosened her grip, panting. "She broke the door! She's defying me!"

This was my chance. I had to think fast.

I turned to David, tears I didn' t have to fake streaming down my face.

"Dad, please," I choked out. "I want to go to a good university. Pre-med, or maybe engineering. I can get a really good job, make a lot of money."

I saw a flicker of interest in his eyes.

"I can help the family then. Really help. I can buy Kevin a car, help him with a house. I can take care of you and Mom when you're older."

Kevin appeared at the top of the stairs, drawn by the commotion.

"A car? For me?" he asked, his eyes lighting up.

"Yes, Kevin," I said, my voice desperate. "A really nice one. And a house. But I need a good degree from a prestigious university to do that. Community college won't cut it."

Kevin looked at David. "Dad, she's right. If she makes a lot of money, that's good for all of us."

David rubbed his chin, considering. Brenda looked like she was about to explode.

"She's trying to trick you!" Brenda hissed. "She just wants to get away!"

"If she gets a good job, she can help us," David said slowly, looking at me. "You promise this, Sarah? You promise to support us, to help Kevin?"

"I promise," I said, meeting his gaze. "I'll even sign something. A written agreement."

That sealed it for him. The idea of a formal, binding promise of future income.

"Alright," David said. "You can apply to those fancy universities. But you sign an agreement. And you still need to contribute around here."

Brenda seethed, but David had made his decision.

"Fine," she spat. "But if you're lying, Sarah, you'll regret it."

I knew she meant it. But I had bought myself time.

That evening, David produced a handwritten contract.

It stated I would give them a significant portion of my future earnings, buy Kevin a car upon his graduation, and contribute to his first house.

I signed it without hesitation, my hand surprisingly steady.

It was a worthless piece of paper to me. I had no intention of honoring it.

But it was my ticket out.