I was Kidnapped By Gangsters, But My Mother Didn’t Save Me

It'd been a week since I disappeared.

Yet, Mom acted as if I never even existed. Ironically, it was Kelly who first noticed I was missing.

"Auntie Jennifer, Yasmin hasn't been home in days. You don't think something's happened to her, do you?" Kelly asked timidly, looking especially vulnerable in her white dress.

Mom gave Kelly a warm smile she'd never shown me. "Don't worry about that heartless girl. She even skipped your coming-of-age ceremony. Probably just out messing around.

I'm here for you, just like your mom wanted me to be before she passed."

Kelly's eyes quickly welled up with tears. She hugged Mom and whispered through her sobs, "I knew it, you're the best to me, Auntie Jennifer."

Mom hugged her back, soothing her gently, "You're my favorite, Kelly."

Watching them, my heart ached. I stood there, seeing the motherly love I never received being given to someone else.

Dad had died when I was very young. In middle school, my mom's elder sister, Maria, Kelly's mom, died from a serious illness. On her deathbed, Maria entrusted Kelly to my mom.

After that, Mom brought Kelly home and made me move out of my room so Kelly could have it.

I resisted this new arrangement. I didn't want to move.

Mom's patience ran thin quickly. She slapped me across the face, twice.

The hatred in her eyes stopped me from even covering my burning cheek.

"Yasmin, you think you can defy me now, huh? Do as I say. Don't make me kick you out," warned Mom.

That night, I cried myself to sleep in the dark, damp basement, nearly suffocating from my sobs. The next day, Mom saw my swollen eyes and showed no concern.

That was the moment I knew for sure—Mom really hated me.

Snapped out of my memories, all I felt was pain.

Kelly handed Mom a certificate, beaming proudly. "Auntie Jennifer, check it out. I won first place in the speech contest. Pretty cool, right?"

Mom's eyes lit up with sheer affection. She examined the certificate and then planted a big kiss on Kelly's cheek. "Sweetie, you're incredible. You really are my good girl."

Kelly paused, her smile then brightening even more. "Auntie Jennifer, I wouldn't be who I am today without you. Can I call you mom?"

Mom seemed surprised but moved, her eyes misting over. "Oh, my dear girl. Of course, you can."

Kelly bit her lip, looking a bit anxious. "But what about Yasmin? She's your real daughter. Wouldn't she be upset?"

Mentioning me never brought a smile to Mom's face. She scoffed, "She never even calls me mom. What kind of daughter is she? She might as well be dead for all I care."

I thought to myself, "Mom, you got your wish."

Watching my mom and Kelly embrace tore me apart.

"Mom, you were the one who pushed me away," I reflected.

I should have seen this day coming.

Since Kelly moved in, she had been playing the role of the good daughter I never could.

She charmed Mom, took her shopping, and even delivered meals to the station when Mom was too busy to make it home.

Kelly fit the role of Mom's daughter far better than I ever did.

The night stretched on, the cold wind echoing my solitude. I floated, adrift.

I wondered, "Does Mom even spare a moment to think how I spent my birthday?"