Mom Picked Her Golden Child

Mom, Katerina, and Chris flew off, and for the first time in forever, life finally felt quiet.

Dad never needed asking—every morning, he'd walk, grab breakfast, then drop Eva at school.

Pavel got so choked up he hugged me and said we should get Dad something. Since Dad liked art, Pavel picked out fancy drawing paper and ink.

Dad teared up, totally stunned, like he was about to call Pavel his best friend.

The place felt alive again.

Then a late-night call yanked me out of sleep.

Half-asleep, I fumbled for the phone under my pillow. Mom's smug face lit up the screen on video.

"Look, this is Katerina's mansion! And there's a huge swimming pool!"

I rubbed my eyes, watching her pan around. "You don't even swim. Why's that impressive?"

Her smile dropped. "You never say anything nice. No wonder nobody ever liked you."

I blinked—and she hung up.

Next night, same time, the phone rang again.

I checked the clock. 1 a.m. Broad daylight over there.

She bragged that Katerina took her to some fancy mall and bought her new clothes.

I spotted the floral shirt in her hand—tag still on, marked down.

Back when she lived with me, I shopped for her every season. Got her name-brand stuff I couldn't even afford for myself. Never once heard a thank you.

She'd always say that if Katerina were buying, she'd pick the best, the most expensive.

I stared at her smug, wrinkled face. "Got it. It's one in the morning. Stop calling me like this—I need sleep."

I hung up, silenced my phone, and buried my face in the pillow.

But I couldn't sleep.

Mom knew the time difference between Bellavaro and Amiraka. She used to call Katerina at night too.

She just never cared enough to think about me.

***

After I silenced my phone, Mom went quiet for a few days when she couldn't get through.

Didn't last long—less than a week later, she started calling Pavel instead.

Middle of the night again. Her ringtone cut through the silence, jerking me awake. Pavel picked up, and her voice came in hot.

"What kind of attitude is this, ignoring my calls? Is this how a daughter behaves?"

Pavel scrambled. "Milena, please don't be upset. Anya works early—she needs sleep. She's not ignoring you."

"Hmph. Serves her right! I told her to marry rich and stay home. But no, she had to break her back for a few thousand!"

After so many nights of broken sleep, I was finally feeling human again—until that lit the fuse.

I yanked the phone from Pavel.

"Why don't you focus on your real daughter in Amiraka and leave us alone? Stop calling!"

Then I blocked her—on both our phones.

Days passed without her voice. I could finally breathe.

Then late one night, Dad banged on the door.

"Anya, open up! Your mom's in trouble!"