Chapter 4

For the sake of not being abandoned and for Eva to stop targeting me, I tore up my acceptance letter to the honors track right in front of Mom and Dad.

I joined the regular class Eva was in and once again took on the responsibility of looking after her.

Over the years, Mom and Dad had grown increasingly busy trying to pay for Eva's treatment.

And so, most of the housework fell to me—laundry, mopping the floors, grocery shopping, and cooking meals tailored to everyone's preferences.

Mom and Dad's resentment toward me gradually faded with each passing day. On rare occasions, they praised me for being so considerate, but they would also immediately observe Eva's reaction afterward.

Three years had passed, and Eva had grown more composed. Whenever our parents gave me a passing compliment, she no longer threw a dramatic fit like she had when we were children.

Because of Eva's illness, the whole family took a family photo every year on her birthday.

I never again brought up wanting to go. However, Eva eventually couldn't hold it in any longer.

While Mom and Dad were out, she stood over me with her arms crossed and questioned, "What are you up to? I refuse to believe you're willing to spend the rest of your life working yourself to the bone!

"Are you planning on lying low until you become an adult, waiting for Mom and Dad to realize I'm a total deadbeat and you're the only one they can rely on?"

I paused for a moment but didn't answer. I merely reminded her to take her medicine.

Eva laughed in frustration. "I won't let you get what you want, Mora. Mom and Dad have always belonged only to me, from beginning to end. The most you'll ever be is a dog I keep around!"

Strangely enough, after Eva said those harsh words, my parents started treating me better instead. Dad began taking the initiative to ask about my studies, and for the first time in my life, Mom even bought me several new outfits.

For so many years, all of my clothes—even my underwear—had been Eva's hand-me-downs.

When Mom saw me wearing new clothes that actually fit, she reached out and gently ruffled my hair. "You really have grown up."

I stood there, overwhelmed by her touch while also trying desperately to relax my frozen body.

Mom's gaze fell on my right leg. "It's just a shame about your leg."

I immediately stood up. "I've raised the heel of every right shoe I own. As long as I walk slowly, people won't notice my limp!"

My voice grew urgent as I added, "I haven't embarrassed you and Dad."

Mom froze for a moment before giving me a smile. "Tomorrow is your 18th birthday. Let's take a family photo together, all of us."

My eyes instantly reddened. After 18 years, Mom and Dad were finally accepting me as a part of this family!

I was so excited that I couldn't sleep the entire night.

Sometime in the middle of the night, I heard Mom and Dad arguing in their bedroom. However, I couldn't catch what they were fighting about.

The next morning, I quickly got dressed in my new clothes. I was so eager that my whole body trembled slightly.

When we arrived at the photo studio, Mom hesitated, wanting to say something, but Dad shoved me into a room.

Inside, a strange man looked me up and down before asking, "Are you of age?"

Dad replied loudly from outside the door, "She turns 18 today! It's just that she'll have to wait another three years before registering her marriage."

The photographer turned his head and shouted, "Can the newlyweds please stand in the center and look at the camera?"

I immediately understood that Mom and Dad had used the family photo as an excuse. They had lured me here to sell me off!

I lunged toward the door, frantically twisting the handle.

Mom pushedd against the door from the outside, pleading in a low voice, "Mora… I'm begging you. The only hope for Eva to be completely cured is with umbilical cord blood. I can't have any more children, so you're the only one we can count on.

"Just help Eva one last time. Help our family one last time! Once we get the blood, you'll be completely free. You'll never owe Eva anything again. In the future, you can go to college and do whatever you want!"

My voice was so choked up that I could barely get a single word out. "Mom, I just want you to love me. I'm your daughter too! Please don't do this to me, Mom!"

But there was no response from my mother.

The man came over and grabbed me. I struggled desperately, kicking, hitting, and biting him, but it was useless.

When the photo couldn't be taken, the man immediately hauled me into a van.

Mom hesitated, wanting to step forward, but Dad grabbed her and stopped her. "Don't forget why you gave birth to Mora in the first place!"

In the end, Mom gritted her teeth and shut the van door alongside the man.

I stopped struggling. I just looked intently at Mom, who didn't dare look my way again.

When the van reached a bridge, I suddenly pulled open the door. Without the slightest hesitation, I threw myself into the rushing river below.

As the wind roared past my ears, I faintly heard a heartbroken cry coming from somewhere in the distance.

"Mora!"

…

"What are you thinking about? You look so serious." Caleb pushed the door open and wrapped one arm around me with practiced ease.

I snapped back the the present and smiled faintly, shaking my head. "Just remembering some things from when I was younger."

"If you don't want to meet them, don't force yourself. I'll cancel the meeting," Caleb offered.

I held his hand. "Let's go. After all these years, it's time to settle things. Besides, now I've got you by my side."

When we reached the door of the private room, I took a deep breath. Caleb intertwined his fingers with mine, his thumb gently brushing over the back of my hand in reassurance.

The waitstaff pushed open the door.

As soon as my parents saw Caleb, they hurried over with wine glasses in hand. Meanwhile, Eva quickly put away her lipstick and slipped on her signature smile.

"Sorry to keep you waiting," Caleb said flatly.

He lifted our clasped hands slightly. "This is my fiancee, Jewel Fletcher."

The ring between my fingers caught the light, its sparkle flashing across everyone's faces as their expressions instantly turned to shock.

Eva shouted in utter disbelief, "Mora?"