The Daughter They Chose to Abandon

“Yes. Last time I went to his company to deliver a contract, he mistook me for you. When he realized I wasn’t, he invited me to dinner.”

Verena lowered her gaze. “He said… he knew you’d been gone for eight years. His parents don’t want a daughter-in-law with no education. They just didn’t know how to break it off with you.”

Something inside me shattered, then stitched itself back together with jagged edges. My smile felt uglier than a cry.

Mom rolled her eyes, contempt written all over her face.

“What did I tell you? He’s not blind. You were just a fling to him—how could he possibly choose you for marriage? If I hadn’t introduced Verena, he’d have dumped you long ago.”

She jabbed a finger at me. “And you still dare get angry? Can’t you see I’m doing this for your own good?”

Verena’s eyes filled with tears as she tugged at my sleeve.

“Sister… if you really like Brother Nick, you can secretly pretend to be me after we get married and meet him. I don’t mind—we’re sisters, after all.”

I’d seen this act too many times. Every time she wanted something, she’d offer it to me first “out of kindness.” The next day, my parents would buy it for her, praising her as sweet and selfless. Meanwhile, my tears only made me the problem child.

I smiled faintly. “No need. After tonight, you’ll be the only daughter in this family. You don’t have to keep pretending.”

I turned away to pack my bags. Verena’s expression shifted instantly.

“Mom, she’s really leaving? What about my one-thousand-five-hundred-allowance?”

“You’d better think of something,” she hissed.

Dad snorted. “Allowance? She wants back all the money she gave me before! What kind of debt collector did I raise? If I’d known she’d turn out like this, I’d have let her rot in the countryside!”

They argued outside my door for a long time. By the time I zipped my suitcase, their tones had changed completely.

Mom walked in with a plate of sweet-and-sour ribs, her voice suddenly soft.

“Mira, you’ve had such a hard day at work, haven’t you? Did something happen at the office to upset you? Your parents were just harsh earlier—don’t take it to heart. We’re your family. We’d never hurt you.”

I looked at the dish, cold and unmoved.

“Mom, I actually hate eating meat. Every time I do, I throw up for hours. Do you know why?”

Her smile stiffened. “Why? You never told me that.”

“Because ten years ago, you never fed me. I was starving. I had no choice but to dig bugs from the ground and catch mice in the house.”

My voice was calm, as if I were reciting someone else’s story.

Dad’s face darkened. “Eat it or not, don’t trouble your mother!”

Verena shot him a warning glance, then turned back to me with her sugary smile.

“Sis, if you don’t like it, just stop eating it at home. Mom means well—you can’t make her sad. What’s past is past. By dragging it up, aren’t you stabbing Mom and Dad in the heart?”

I met her gaze.

“Verena, do you know how revolting your acting is?”

I lifted my bag. “If you’re done, move. I have overtime tonight. I’ll sort out the accounts and transfer the money back.”

I headed for the door. Behind me, Mom dropped to the ground, clutching her head and sobbing.