“What are you doing?!” Karen screamed, overwhelmed with rage.

“He finally learned his lesson,” I replied calmly. “Maybe now he’ll understand what it feels like to be ignored and despised.”

The silence was heavy. Ethan stood there, dumbfounded, realizing that he had underestimated my need for respect. What I had done wasn’t just an act of rebellion; it was a way of reclaiming my dignity.

The lesson had been given. But the price might be higher than I had imagined.