Chapter 1 1

Spoiled brat, stubborn, hard-headed. She's always giving a hard time to her parents.

"This is too much, Cassy!" Caden said, frustration evident in his voice. "Are you really not going to straighten up, huh?"

"Caden, please, d-don't shout at our daughter like that," Liana said, tears welling up in her eyes.

"And what should we do with that girl?! She's already 22, and yet, she's still in her first year of college! And worst of all, she failed all her subjects! My God! She's a disgrace to the family! She's the black sheep!"

"Caden, please? Don't be too harsh to our daughter."

"Child, why did you-"

"Mom, I'm sorry. I-I shouldn't have joined that raid, I just happened to go with my friends to that bar."

"That's my point, dear. Why do you hang out with people like them who have no direction-"

"Mom, please...? Even you?"

"I'm just reminding you, dear. Honestly, I'm losing hope that you'll ever straighten out your life."

I just sighed. I'm getting scolded every day. Yeah, my parents are nice, but I want my freedom.

"Mom, I'll be going out tonight."

"You have class tomorrow, right?"

"Yeah, I'll come home early too."

"We'll talk tomorrow with your Dad, so be home early after school, okay?"

"Yeah," I lazily replied.

I'm really feeling lazy. My professor is going to scold me again because I haven't been to class for almost a week, which my parents don't know about. Oh well, it doesn't matter since I won't pass anyway. My life is so enjoyable... hanging out with friends, shopping, clubbing. I have my own money. Mom always puts money in my card. I'll start getting ready because later we're going to the club.

As I got ready, I couldn't shake off the feeling of frustration and guilt. Deep down, I knew my parents were right. I was wasting my potential, squandering the opportunities they worked so hard to provide for me. But the allure of freedom and the thrill of the nightlife seemed irresistible. Each night out offered an escape from the mounting pressure and expectations at home and school. Yet, with each passing day, the weight of disappointment in my parents' eyes grew heavier, casting a shadow over my moments of fleeting joy. Despite their constant admonitions and pleas, I couldn't bring myself to break free from the cycle of recklessness and defiance.