hapter 39


    20 vouchers


    When Natasha first moved out at eighteen, Madeline had secretly visited her ce. To save money, Natasha shared an apartment near the university with a friend.


    It was crowded and noisy–right by amercial street. But Madeline was angry at Natasha’s defiance, hoping hardship would force her home. Though it hurt, she stayed out of it.


    Natasha, stubborn as ever, never asked for help. By the time Madeline reconsidered, Olivia said Natasha had moved.


    Madeline assumed she’d epted their money for a better ce. Subsequent meetings were either at the rk mansion or elsewhere.


    This was Madeline’s first visit to Natasha’s new home in years. Her first impression upon arriving at Natasha’s ce was how tiny the house was.


    ustomed to sprawling estates, thepact space felt stifling for Madeline. Margot’s usation of favoritism echoed ufortably. The smallest property gifted to Olivia dwarfed this


    apartment.


    Alexei was out. Natasha let Madeline in and poured her a cup of water. The quiet tension between them was thick.


    Madeline took a breath. “This ce is too cramped. Thomas will arrange a new apartment for you.”


    “No need for that. I can’t ept it.” Natasha’s refusal was t.


    Madeline fumed. “Why not? You’re our daughter. A house is nothing—we’d look bad if we shortchanged you.”


    Natasha scoffed. “I’m afraid you’ll demand it back someday.” <fn52a1> For original chapters go to findnovel</fn52a1>


    When she’d left the rks, they’d imed everything she took was theirs. They cut her money and had maids search her bags, banning valuables. They treated her as if she were their enemy.


    It had been a gloomy afternoon. Standing before the grand gates, a single suitcase beside her, she’d endured the humiliation of maids meticulously inspecting her belongings.


    Her family, united in outrage, had used her of ingratitude and spite. Andrew, usuallyposed, had trembled with rage.


    Andrew snapped, “We’ve cleaned up your messes for 18 years. What more do you want? Ungrateful! You won’t rest until you’ve torn this family apart, will you?


    “Fine, just go. And nevere back. But if you have any spine, repay every cent we spent raising you.”


    4:35 pm PD


    EX 20 vouchers


    At 18, with nothing, debt would’ve chained Natasha to them. Clutching her suitcase, nails bleeding into her palm, she stayed calm.


    Natasha said tly, “Let me remind you, I didn’t beg to be born. And thew obligates you to support me until adulthood.


    “Since middle school, Thomas, Noel, and Olivia got $170k-$300k monthly. I got $300. If you’re fine with peopleughing at how little you spent on your daughter, let’s tally it publicly.”


    Andrew had been incredulous. “We restricted you because you wasted money. And we gave extras- must you nitpick?”


    ‘I never got them,” Natasha’s voice stayed steady.


    Andrew didn’t believe her. “Fine. Have it your way. Step out that gate, and not a single rk cent Couches you again.”


    They wouldn’t risk the scandal of demanding her repayment, and Andrew hadn’t truly wanted the money. The rks dropped it.


    Rest assured,” Natasha had said, turning away, “if iming my basic rights is this hard, I won’t covet a single thing that isn’t mine.”


    Natasha drew a clear line. The support she’d received was her legal due, far less than the rk standard. She owed them nothing. If necessary, she’d repay equivalent elder care someday.


    The rks‘ wealth was theirs to give; she expected nothing. Getting less before eighteen meant aking moreter would only deepen the debt they’d hold over her.


    Natasha walked out clean. From that point on, she never once turned to the rks for help.


    Natasha never regretted it. At first, she scraped by on part–time wages, stretching one bread for two meals and crying through illness in lonely nights–it had been brutal.


    But she’d endured. This tiny apartment Madeline scorned was hers, earned by her bare hands. No one could reim it, point fingers at her, or im she owed them.


    The memories made Madeline shift ufortably, and she touched her nose. “Must you hold onto grudges?”


    Madeline thought, ‘Weren’t those just angry words? Like we’d hound an 18–year–old for pocket change as child support?‘


    Yet she remembered–Natasha’s <i>5</i><i>% </i>rk Group shares, given to Olivia. They’d wronged her. Madeline hesitated. “After you marry Lucas, we’ll give you that 5%.”


    “Something they got unconditionally at eighteen, I must trade marriage for?” Natasha’s voice dripped scorn.


    <b>2/3 </b>


    4:35 pm PA


    20 vouchers


    “Must you be so mean?” Madeline snapped, stung. “If you hadn’t caused your aunt’s death or bullied Olivia, you’d still have those shares. They’re hers by right. Is your aunt’s life worth less than shares?


    “And the ‘trade marriage‘ talk–making us sound like bad guys. You and Lucas grew up together. Marrying him is what you always wanted before, isn’t it?”


    “Didn’t they tell you? Lucas and I broke up.” Natasha challenged.


    Madeline waved a dismissive hand. “You young folks can’t keep your cool–making a mountain out of a molehill over nothing.


    “I heard he went to the hospital during the proposal. Don’t be petty. I called him—Olivia needed him more then. You’ll be Mrs. Wright; be generous. Stop being jealous.”


    A bitter smile touched Natasha’s lips. ‘If Olivia were left, I’d be called unreasonable,‘ she thought. “I hope you’ll be just as generous if it happens to Dad.”


    “Natasha!” Madeline’s eyes shed. She took a deep, furious breath, remembering her mission. “I’m here to tell youe home tomorrow.”


    “We’re hosting your birthday party and announcing your engagement to Lucas.” She muttered under her breath, “It’s been dyed long enough.”