Reclaiming Her Heart
Chapter 665 The Kidnapping of Parental Love

Carol's family had little money. When she got into Silver Bay Film Academy, her parents moved with her from their small town to Silver Bay City. They lived just 100 feet from the academy.

They sold their house back home. Luckily, Carol's dad, Rodolfo, found a teaching job nearby. Her mom, Lori, sold local veggies. They were always busy. Carol was a hardworking kid.

When she got into the academy, her high school celebrated for ages.

Rodolfo was strict, making Carol a bit timid.

She never had more than 20 bucks a day, her set allowance.

A single birth control pill cost about that much, and with lunch and bus fare, she couldn't afford them.

Carol came home and saw the lights on. She walked in slowly.

Lori was busy in the kitchen. Their place was tiny, about 300 square feet, with two small rooms, a living room, a kitchen, and a tiny bathroom.

"Mom, can I have 30 dollars?" Carol asked cautiously from the kitchen doorway.

Lori, stir-frying potatoes, frowned.

"What do you need more money for? I gave you 20 dollars this morning. The girl upstairs is in college, too, and only carries five dollars a day. The cafeteria is cheap now; 10 dollars should be enough."

Lori continued, "Carol, you need to understand our situation. Don't compare yourself to others. We can't afford it. Compare your studies. We sold everything to send you to school and move here. Be more obedient." Carol stood there, feeling a deep pain, unable to look up under her mom's scolding.

"I... I need it now. I'll pay you back later."

Bryan didn't let her work. If caught, she'd lose her graduation qualification.

Bryan took all her scripts. Investors picked them up, and three recent hits were her works, but she didn't make any profits.

Thinking about her situation, Carol started to cry.

Seeing her tears, Lori got impatient and put down the spatula.

"Why are you crying? Is studying harder than my farming? I travel between the small town and Silver Bay City every day, getting dizzy from all the traveling. I can't even afford medicine. Your dad's salary is low. Now you ask for 30 dollars; will it be 50 or 100 next time?"

"Mom, I really will pay you back..."

Lori turned back to the stove. "Your dad will be home in an hour. Recite the passages I asked you to memorize and write a reflection essay. I'll give you the money afterward."

Carol wiped her tears and sat down in the living room, placing a few books on the table.

Lori wanted Carol to memorize texts from her college books. Even though college didn't require this, Lori, who never went to college, insisted.

Carol tried explaining that college was different from high school, that no professor would ask students to memorize texts, and that even the classrooms weren't fixed. But Lori didn't believe her and managed her daughter with her theories.

After a while, Carol understood her mother's stubbornness and memorized the texts.

After writing a thousand-word reflection essay, Lori finally handed her the 30 dollars. Carol quickly went downstairs to a nearby pharmacy to buy a birth control pill. Worried about gossip, she wore a hat and kept her head down the whole time.

She looked very thin, a result of long-term malnutrition.

The staff gave her a few more glances, noticing she was still a student, and advised, "If you encounter any problems, remember to talk to your family."

Carol took the pill and ran to a secluded place to swallow it.

She felt like vomiting but didn't dare, fearing she would throw up the pill.

After resting for a while, she went back upstairs. Through the door, she heard Lori complaining to Rodolfo.

"Carol is getting more disobedient. She just asked me for 30 dollars. When she was in high school, she never had money on her. Now she spends 50 dollars a day. Who knows what she's doing outside? Have you contacted her teachers? Is she comparing herself to others and picking up bad habits at school?"