Chapter 5 My mom collapsed dramatically in the living room , tears streaming like she'd just suffered the greatest injustice on earth . Flynn saw her and went ballistic . He kicked my door open and snarled , " Cut the act , Lauren . Wasting your time with stupid crap , streaming like some loser . Mom still worries about you , and this is how you treat her ? Keep it up and get the hell out ! " I laughed under my breath . Don't worry , I planned on leaving . Once school started , I'd never set foot in this house again . In my past life , after everything fell apart , I'd still guarded Flynn from Mom's interference - made sure he passed the state civil service test and got a government job . Not this time . I didn't owe him a thing . Let him feel the pain for himself . When my acceptance came in , I mailed my academic file to the university the same day . No chances , no delays . That night , exhausted from streaming , I half - woke in the morning to see my mom creeping into my room . She carefully snatched the envelope from my desk . I didn't stop her . Just rolled over and went back to sleep . By noon , I asked casually , " Mom , where's the file that was on my desk ? " She smiled like butter wouldn't melt . " Oh , I was worried those teachers might mess it up , so I opened it for you . Don't be mad - I just wanted to help . " My blood boiled . " You can't open the file ! Once it was unsealed , it'll be invalidated . How am I supposed to get it processed or go to scholl ? Didn't I tell you not to touch Try things ? What part of that didn't you understand ? " She pouted . " I didn't know . You never sai said anything . I just care about you - I didn't know it mattered . " Then came her performance . " I thought it was a delivery package , so I opened it . My fault , all my fault . " She slapped at her own face , eyes welling up . " Please don't be angry , Lauren . Don't hate your mom . ' 11 Classic manipulation . That act had worked on Dad and Flynn a thousand times . Sure enough , the moment she raised her hand , Dad stormed in and kicked me to the ground . " What the hell's all the noise ? It's just a file ! Who cares ? " He'd been skunked on his fishing trips all week and took the chance to unload on me . " You think one stupid file means you can't go to college ? You were never meant to anyway . Perfect - saves us money . In a couple years you'll marry someone and bring in a dowry for your brother . " í staggered up , glaring . I'd expected as much , but it still burned . " Lauren , don't blame your father . It's all my fault , " my mom wailed , though her eyes glimmered with satisfaction . Dad pulled her behind him protectively . " Ungrateful brat . A damn dog would show more loyalty . You dare talk back to your mom ? " Then he ripped the file in half and threw the pieces at me . Spit rained down onto the shredded pages . I braced myself against the table , waiting calmly . When he finished , I said coolly , " Spit all you want . Have fun . " Then I smirked . " Only thing is - you've been spitting on your own career . I mailed my file yesterday . That one was yours . Hope your new job doesn't blow up . " " But hey , don't get mad at Mom . It's just a file , right ? " Chapter 5