Chapter 11 On the way back , Flynn wouldn't shut up . " Mom , you ruin everything . Because of you , my BMW's gone . Dad , just give me the money- I'll at least buy a car . " Dad snapped , " Buy what ? You're grown . Get a job tomorrow . " Flynn whined , " Tomorrow ? I had plans ! This is all Mom's fault . I'd be a government worker by now if not for her . " Mom sniffled , " I only meant well . Guess it just wasn't your fate . " I dragged my suitcase to the complex gate , running into them as I left . Flynn sneered , " Where you off to , stray dog ? Don't starve out there we won't bother burying you. ' I didn't even look at them . Just kept walking . From that moment on , they were no longer my family . IT At college , I threw myself into classes and part - time jobs . The years were tough , but they were mine . By the time I earned a spot in grad school , I hadn't heard from them in years - until the phone rang . Flynn's voice rasped , familiar but sour . " Lauren ? Dad's sick . You don't care ? If you don't get over here to look after Dad while he's sick , I'll sue you for elder neglect ! You're not acting like a daughter at all . " I frowned . " He's sick ? And that's my problem why ? Didn't we cut ties ? " " Don't care . Get over here with money . Or you'll regret it . " I hung up , but decided to check anyway . Not out of duty - just curiosity . As for the money ? Sure , I can bring it . But I'm not sure he'll be around to spend it . ....... Turns out , after Wolfe walked away , Dad lost his job . Flynn had no skills . Desperate , they ended up working construction , breaking their backs in the sun . 1 Dad numbed himself with booze and cigarettes until his body failed him - rectal cancer . Post - surgery , Flynn figured I was his last hope for money and caretaking . When I entered the hospital room , Dad sneered , " So you remember us ? You're no daughter of mine . Books made you useless . " He looked me over like I was a piece of merchandise , then said , " Lucky for you , we arranged a marriage . Guy's your age , a generous dowry . You'll move in right after this . Be grateful - you'll skip straight to being a mom . " I ignored him and warned Mom , " He can't eat anything post - surgery . Don't give him food . " Seeing my mother leave , I turned and stared daggers at him . God , how I wanted to rip his chest open and see if his heart was pitch , black , devoid of anything human.If my mother was a natural - born rebel , then he was simply a man who couldn't stand to see me happy . Later , I whispered into Dad's ear , " Do you believe in karma ? In payback for evil ? " He barked , " Bullshit . I survived surgery . I'll live long . You marry who I say , and maybe I'll toss you scraps . " I cut him off coldly , " Don't worry what goes around comes around . Just wait . " And then I walked out . Minutes later , Mom entered with steaming bowls of hearty beef stew.Dad hesitated , but hunger won . He devoured both bowls . That night , my father was rushed into emergency care . Unfortunately , despite all efforts , he didn't make it . When the nurse handed my mother the death certificate , her eyes slowly went hollow and empty . He wasn't supposed to eat after general anesthesia - but my mom , ever the contrarian , always had to defy orders .