I've been afraid of my dad since I was young because he never treated me well at home.

Now that he scolded me like this, I dare not say a word.

I thought, let him scold me, as long as he gives me money in the end, so I can go back and settle the matter.

But the more my dad scolded, the more he seemed to have no intention of giving me money.

Then, his phone rang. He glanced at the message on his phone and closed the balcony door, warning me not to make a sound.

Soon, a heavily made-up woman came in. My dad seemed very obsequious to her, taking off her coat and smiling.

At that moment, the woman turned her head and suddenly saw me leaning against the glass of the balcony.

The woman was startled and screamed loudly, "Who is that?"

My dad hurriedly explained, "She's my ex-wife's daughter. She came to ask me for money. I found her annoying, so I locked her on the balcony."

Hearing my dad say this, the woman seemed a little curious and walked to this side of the balcony, opened the door, and looked me up and down.

After a while, the woman snorted and said, "Seeing how ugly you are, I know why your dad and mom divorced. If their daughter looks so ugly, how can the mother be good-looking?"

I clenched my fists angrily, "You're the ugly one. My mom is much prettier than you."

The woman didn't expect me to retort and was about to hit me when her phone rang.

The woman glared at my dad, "Deal with her."

After the woman left, my dad looked at me angrily, "Who let you talk back?"

I looked at my dad, "Why are you with other women?"

My dad was stunned and then said, "I've already divorced your mom. Why can't I be with other women?"

I hurriedly said, "My mom has been living on her own. Why do you have to find other women?"

My dad smiled, "Jing Jing, you're really naive. Can your mom live alone forever? Just wait, sooner or later, she'll find a man. It's impossible for her to live alone."

After saying that, he got up and said, "Stay here and don't make a sound. Otherwise, I'll beat you."

I was locked on the balcony again.

My dad, afraid that I would make a sound again, pulled the curtains in the living room.

Through the crack, I saw the woman finish her call and then sit on the sofa with my dad, talking intimately.

In my heart, I felt a wave of nausea.

Although my parents were divorced, in my heart, everything was still the same as before.

It was like my dad went out to work and sent money home regularly.

But when I saw this scene clearly, I felt like a part of my brain collapsed.

The two of them were watching a movie in the living room, the sound was loud, and they didn't hear that it was already raining outside.

The rain was getting heavier and heavier. I hugged my arms tightly and pressed my body against the wall, hoping to avoid getting too wet.

At that moment, a voice suddenly came from the next door, "Who are you? It's pouring rain. Why aren't you going inside?"

I turned to look and saw a girl about the same age as me standing on the balcony, looking at me.

She seemed to live next door to my dad, with only a wall about a meter high separating our balconies.

The girl's hands were full of clothes, and she was staring at me with her big eyes.

I didn't know what to say. I was afraid of saying the wrong thing and making my dad angry. If he really didn't give me any money, how could I go back and settle the matter?

Seeing me silent for a long time, the girl quickly opened the balcony door, "Grandma, something's wrong. There's a mute girl locked on the neighbor's balcony."

I was stunned and looked at the girl, opening my mouth.

I wanted to say that I'm not mute.

An old lady came out from the living room.

It turned out to be thegirl's grandmother. She looked at me with concern and asked, "Are you okay? Why are you locked out here in the rain?"

I finally found my voice and replied, "I'm not mute. My dad locked me out here because he's angry with me."

The girl's grandmother looked furious and said, "That's unacceptable! No child should be treated this way. Wait right here."

She went back inside and returned with a spare key. She unlocked the balcony door and invited me into their apartment.

Inside, I saw a cozy living room with family photos on the walls and a warm atmosphere. The girl introduced herself as Lily and her grandmother as Mrs. Johnson.

I shared my story with them, how my dad had always been harsh and uncaring towards me. Mrs. Johnson listened attentively and comforted me, assuring me that things would get better.

Lily and I quickly became friends. She was kind-hearted and understanding. We sat on her bedroom floor, playing with dolls and sharing our dreams.

During that time, Mrs. Johnson contacted my mom and explained the situation. My mom was furious when she learned about how my dad had treated me. She immediately took legal action to ensure my safety and well-being.

Days turned into weeks, and my mom finally gained full custody of me. She found a new place for us to live, away from the toxic environment I had endured.

With my mom's love and support, I started to heal from the emotional scars left by my dad. I enrolled in therapy to work through my feelings and build my self-esteem.

As the years went by, I thrived in my new environment. I focused on my education, made new friends, and pursued my passions.

Although the memories of my dad's mistreatment lingered, they no longer defined me. I became determined to create a better future for myself.

Looking back, that rainy day on the balcony was a turning point in my life. It was the moment I realized that I deserved love, respect, and a safe home.

I am grateful for Lily and Mrs. Johnson, who showed me kindness and helped me escape that toxic environment.

Today, I stand strong, empowered, and committed to breaking the cycle of abuse. My experiences have shaped me into a compassionate and resilient individual, and I strive to make a positive difference in the lives of others who may be going through similar hardships.

Remember, if you or someone you know is experiencing abuse or mistreatment, it's important to reach out for help. There are organizations and hotlines available that can provide assistance and support.

You are never alone, and there is always hope for a better future.