Jenna Roland stood on the street holding Milo's luggage, the sunlight stinging her eyes.

For the first time, she truly understood what it meant to be cornered.

Cutting off her uncle's family felt like removing leeches—painful but freeing.

Yet the two thousand dollars left in her pocket couldn't even rent a room in Los Angeles.

Milo stood beside her, nails digging into his palms.

He was the burden dragging his sister down.

If not for his congenital heart disease, Jenna could've had a better life long ago.

"Jenna," his voice tightened, "I'll stay at the dorm. You should go back to Uncle's place."

Her head snapped up. "Are you insane? After what just happened?"

Milo gave a bitter smile. "But we have nowhere else to go."

He knew better than anyone how toxic their uncle's household was.

Yet they had no alternatives.

Jenna ruffled his hair. "Don't worry. I'll borrow money for rent, sell the fruit stand, and find another job."

"Once we save enough, we'll reclaim the orchard."

At the mention of the orchard, Milo's eyes darkened.

That car accident had been too convenient.

The signature on the will wasn't their father's.

But no one believed him.

"Jenna," he blurted, "I'll quit school. I'll work instead."

Her face paled. "Shut up!"

"You're finishing school. You're going to college!"

Her voice trembled. "We're all Mom and Dad have left. You can't give up."

Milo lowered his head as she pressed twenty dollars into his hand.

"Meet me after school." Jenna watched the bus disappear down the street.

Back at the fruit stand, she packed up efficiently and posted a "For Sale" sign.

Her phone rang.

"Daisy?"

"Have you decided about the lawsuit?" Daisy Langley's voice came through.

"Too expensive," Jenna sighed. "Maybe when I save enough."

"Seven grand is too much? You've run this stand for two years!"

Jenna gave a hollow laugh. "Rent. Medicine. Groceries. Everything costs money."

She recounted the incident at her uncle's house.

"Good riddance!" Daisy slammed what sounded like a table. "Animals like that deserve worse!"

After a pause, Jenna ventured, "Can you lend me four thousand? For rent."

Silence.

"Actually... I'm a bit strapped right now..." Daisy hedged.

The call ended. Jenna dialed every friend she had.

Only a thousand dollars materialized.

Three grand total—not even enough for Milo's medication.

Her phone buzzed again.

"Grandma Blanche?" Jenna forced a smile.