- 7.
When the “poisoned feast” was finally laid out, I stared meaningfully at the dipping sauce
in front of me.
“Audrey, your favorite cilantro–lime dip from childhood! Mommy made it specially for you.
Come on, eat!”
<
10:40 Sun, 15 Jun
Seeing Mom’s expectant eyes, I forced a bitter smile.
“Mom, *I* like spicy ranch. Tiffany’s the one who liked cilantro–lime.”
“But… but the cilantro–lime is delicious too, just try it.”
Mom earnestly urged me to eat, each word like a knife twisting in my gut.
I fought back the tears threatening to fall and calmly told them, “I’ve already called the
police. They’ll be here any minute.”
Dad’s face went white when he heard their plan was exposed. He grabbed my plate to dump it, but it was too late.
The police burst through the door, pinning Dad to the table.
Mom screamed “Innocent!” like a madwoman,
But the camera in my room had already recorded their entire crime.
After giving my statement at the police station, the officer asked if I wanted to press
charges.
I gently shook my head and asked to see my parents.
My parents were cowering like whipped dogs on the detention center floor.
When they saw me, they both scrambled to their knees, grabbing at my pant leg.
“Audrey, please, for old times‘ sake, let your Dad and I go! We were forced to do this!”
“Daughter, your sister’s psychiatric hospital bills are astronomical. Your Mom and I’s salaries just aren’t enough…”
“So…” I said, each word deliberate.
“You were going to trade my life for Tiffany’s?”
Mom and Dad choked, just kept kowtowing.
10:40 Sun, 15 Jun
<
I ignored their pleas, pushing a piece of paper in front of them.
“You committed attempted murder. You’re looking at decades in prison, guaranteed.
But… I’m not pressing charges.”
When they heard “decades,” my parents had already collapsed to the floor.
But hearing “not pressing charges,” they both heaved a sigh of relief.
“But I have one condition.”
I averted my gaze, staring at the wall of the detention center.
“What condition? Your Dad and I will agree to anything!”
“This agreement to sever all parental rights and filial ties. Sign it.”
They hesitated for a second, then quickly signed the agreement and pressed their fingerprints.
I picked up the paper, my hand trembling uncontrollably.
This was my freedom papers.
I would be an orphan now.
But I had never felt so light and joyful.
Without a family,
I could finally open my arms and embrace a life of happiness.
