Thoughts are long andecholess

Chapter 1

My family, they were tripping over themselves trying to make up for what they called "True Daughter" syndrome. They even cooked up some fake medical records, telling the world I was seriously ill.

All this to hand over everything that was rightfully mine to her. I just took it, kept my mouth shut.

At the press conference, my dad announced my "illness," and I suddenly coughed up blood. Talk about dramatic.

Afterward, they were all patting me on the head, saying how understanding I was. Even Holden, who’d been giving me the cold shoulder for weeks, actually spoke to me.

"See, that's the right attitude. Sierra was out in the cold for years, and you got to enjoy her privileges. It's only right you help us make it up to her."

I just managed a weak smile.

What he didn't know was, I was actually sick.

And I really was about to check out.

1.

Before I went, I wanted to meet my real parents.

According to Sierra, they were these total deadbeat, sexist parents who bailed on her, leaving her to rot in an orphanage so they could go off and live the good life.

Me? I'm from Missouri, gotta see it to believe it. So I got someone to look into finding them.

Sierra found out and freaked, smashing my phone.

She was all tears and snot, her nose red. "You're trying to dredge up the people who hurt me? Are you deliberately trying to make me miserable? How can you be so selfish?"

I wanted to argue, but my insides were twisting, and all I could manage was a sad smile.

She got her happy family reunion. What about mine?

I was dying. Couldn't I even get this one thing?

I just about managed to lift my eyelids and look at her. "I've given back everything. This is all I ask."

Before the words were even out of my mouth, she slapped me hard across the face.

"You're unbelievable! You don't get to make demands! You were Miss華竹微 for twenty-three years. Because of you, I was out there suffering, getting bullied. Because of you, I missed out on twenty-three years of mom and dad! That stuff was mine to begin with, you giving it back is the least you can do. You can never repay what you owe me!"

The slap made my head ring, and I could barely hear her. Even my vision was blurring.

Was this it? Was I actually going to die right here?

2.

When I finally opened my eyes again, the clock on the wall had gone around twice.

Sierra was gone, but someone was sitting by my bed.

The familiar scent of gardenias. That was Mom's scent.

It was Mom.

Ever since Sierra showed up, I hadn't seen Mom in ages.

I forced my eyes open, trying to read her expression.

Apathy, mixed with disappointment, and a tiny bit of concern she was trying to hide.

She looked at my face and asked, "Sierra hit you, didn't she?"

I didn't say anything.

She sighed. "Can't really blame her. You went too far, trying to find those two losers. You know that's just stirring up trouble."

I said, "Sierra was rescued from the earthquake rubble when she was five, after she was sent to the orphanage. She wasn't abandoned."

"That's j...