Chapter 2 A New Beginning
After work, Sophia White rushed to the restaurant where they had agreed to meet.
She and Emily represented two completely different styles. Emily typically dressed simply, while Sophia wore a perfectly tailored business suit with cascading waves of hair and classic red lips. She radiated confidence—instantly recognizable as a successful career woman.
But upon seeing the table filled with dishes, Sophia immediately reached over to feel Emily's forehead.
"Emily, are you okay? What's with the sudden generosity? Are you giving up on life or something?"
"On the contrary, I'm embracing it," Emily replied with an easy smile. "This meal is to celebrate my rebirth. After today, there won't be treats like this, so eat up."
Sophia narrowed her eyes suspiciously. "Rebirth?"
"Yes." Emily nodded firmly, her eyes sparkling with determination. "I quit my job and moved out of that house. From now on, I'm living on my own."
Sophia froze for a moment, then let out an excited shout.
"Holy shit, are you serious?"
When Emily confirmed with another nod, Sophia slapped the table and grabbed her wine glass. "Then this absolutely is a rebirth! Come on, let's drink to that! I'm so happy for you!"
She meant it and was thrilled for Emily.
Emily rarely discussed her family situation. Sophia only knew that she lived under difficult circumstances—her parents controlled her bank account and only gave her five hundred dollars in monthly allowance.
That was why Emily always made excuses to avoid social gatherings. Even when Sophia offered to pay, she wouldn't come. Emily was too proud at her core and didn't want to accept a kindness she couldn't reciprocate.
After a glass of wine, the floodgates finally opened on topics Emily had suppressed for so long.
She told Sophia everything about her resignation—the whole story from beginning to end.
When she finished, Sophia exploded with anger, one hand on her hip, pointing at the air while cursing William. If they hadn't been in public, her language would have been even more colorful.
After she vented, her mood shifted completely. With reddened eyes, she took Emily's hand with concern.
"Emily, what are you going to do now? Jobs are so hard to find these days. Why don't you move in with me for a while? Save every penny you can!"
"Don't worry," Emily reassured her, patting her hand with unprecedented determination. "I reclaimed my account from my parents. Last month's salary hadn't been withdrawn yet—it'll keep me afloat for a while."
Sophia scowled. "Your parents are just fucking assholes—sorry, I didn't mean it like that."
"No, you're right," Emily replied with a casual smile. "They are jerks; they don't deserve to live in this world."
She paused, then asked quietly, "Sophia, do you know that my birth was a mistake?"
"What do you mean?"
"Before I was born, my father was convinced I would be a boy. When I turned out to be a girl instead..."
"If child abandonment weren't illegal, I probably wouldn't be alive today."
Sophia was stunned into silence. She knew some people valued sons over daughters, but never imagined her best friend had carried such a terrible burden.
She struggled to speak. "What about Rebecca?"
"Her?" Emily's voice grew even more detached. "She was given away when she was only a few months old."
Sophia was completely speechless. As an only child who had been cherished by her parents, she couldn't comprehend such twisted logic.
Just then, a slightly husky female voice came from nearby.
"Excuse me, could I join your table for a moment?"
Emily and Sophia looked up in surprise to see a middle-aged woman from the next table carrying her plate over, her eyes slightly red.
Emily nodded instinctively.
The woman sat down and got straight to the point. "I overheard your conversation. I understand exactly what you're going through."
"I came from a family just like that."
"I spent decades being their workhorse without receiving a single word of appreciation. Then I had an epiphany—instead of being an unpaid housekeeper for those parasites, why not become a paid housekeeper for others!"
"When you work for someone else, you earn wages and respect. Nobody degrades you like garbage."
"Later, I saved some money and started my own housekeeping company. Even changed my name. My family? Haven't contacted them in over fifteen years. They probably think I'm dead." The woman laughed self-deprecatingly, but her eyes revealed resilience.
Sophia listened with genuine respect and gave her a thumbs-up. "Ma'am, you're amazing!"
The woman waved dismissively. "Had no choice. People like us can only rely on ourselves."
Those words struck Emily like lightning, instantly clearing the fog in her mind.
Of course! Instead of being an unpaid housekeeper for family, why not be a paid housekeeper for others?
She suddenly looked up, a spark igniting in her eyes, and summoned the courage to ask, "Ma'am, do you think I could do this? I want to work in domestic service!"
She quickly listed her qualifications. "I graduated from Brighton University, and I have certifications as a nutrition consultant, space organization specialist, and early childhood education instructor, plus a driver's license!"
The woman looked her up and down, her eyes brightening. "With your qualifications, domestic service would be wasting your talents! Come to my company; I'll give you an office position!"
"No," Emily firmly shook her head. "I specifically want to do domestic service."
"Emily, have you lost your mind?" Sophia asked incredulously. "You were a corporate manager with a university degree! Now you want to be a housekeeper?"
"The corporate world is too cutthroat and complex," Emily smiled with genuine relief. "Right now, I just want a straightforward environment. There's dignity in every profession. Look at this lady—she carved out her own success! Maybe someday I'll start my own company too!"
The woman laughed heartily. "You're absolutely right! Domestic service might sound unglamorous, but the income isn't low! Especially for someone with your education and qualifications—you'd be in high demand in the premium market! To be honest, many office workers don't earn what our top people make!"
Sensing Emily's determination, Sophia could only sigh, but her tone was deadly serious. "Fine. But remember this—from now on, not a single penny of your earnings goes back to your family! You hear me?"
"I know," Emily nodded solemnly. "Every dollar I earn from now on will be saved for myself."
"Bring your resume to my company when you're ready!" The woman handed over her business card with a generous gesture. "Don't worry, I'll find you an excellent employer!"
Emily accepted the card and read the name: [Drew Smith.]
A boy's name that perfectly matched the woman's straightforward personality.
"Thank you, Ms. Smith."
"No need for thanks; we were meant to meet!"
In the end, Drew insisted on paying the bill, her enthusiasm leaving them no chance to object.
Back in her newly rented apartment, Emily immediately took action.
She organized all her certificates and searched online, discovering that the salary for a chartered housekeeper was nearly the same as what she'd earned before resigning. Her mind was finally at ease.
Next, she opened her banking app and downloaded the account statement summary she'd printed at the bank earlier that day.
Over the past two years, her parents had taken nearly three hundred thousand dollars from her account.
This evidence would be crucial for the inevitable confrontation later—she needed to keep it safe.
Just then, her phone screen lit up.
It was a message from Richard Coleman, the Vice President of her former company.
The message was simple: [Emily, please come to the office tomorrow.]
Emily stared at the screen, contemplating for a moment. This respect was something she would return.
Her fingers tapped out a brief reply: [All right.]