I’ll Take The Love You Don’t Want

Observing my fawning demeanor, Cassie Bailey curled her lip in disdain.

“Selling your dignity for a little money and calling a stranger your mother? How avaricious.”

As she spoke, the Bulgari bracelet on her slender wrist caught the sunlight and threw sharp flashes of light in every direction.

[Why is this side character trying so hard to steal the spotlight? So desperate for attention. When will she be written off?]

[Relax. The moment she leaves the orphanage tomorrow, she’ll get hit by a car and torn apart in the crash.]

Reading those words suspended in the air, I shuddered and clutched the hem of Ann Moore’s jacket even tighter.

The orphanage had a rule. Upon turning eighteen, one must leave. It so happened that Cassie and I were the same age. If I wanted to live, there was no other way.

Before me stood my only chance.

At the very least, I had to get into Ann’s car and change the fate that was waiting for me at the end of the road. Many people had gathered on site, all hoping to curry favor with Ann. I stood among them in my outdated, tight-fitting clothes, completely out of place.

No one knew who laughed first, but the mocking chuckles soon rose one after another.

“Seriously, has this one been watching too many dramas? Does she really think one “Mom” will make Ms. Moore claim her?”

“Exactly. Look at her. Does she honestly think she belongs in a billionaire family?”

Seeing that I would not let go, Cassie unscrewed the cap of her water bottle and tipped it over my head.

“Ms. Moore isn’t going to accept you. Why do you cling so shamelessly? Have some pride. Can’t you rely on your own effort to build a career and succeed?”

The water drenched me. I kept my head lowered, like a drowned rat.

Sophia Myer, the orphanage director, spotted me surrounded in the center of the crowd and hurriedly pushed through the onlookers toward me.

Without a word, she slapped me.

“What are you doing bothering Cassie today? Let go of Ms. Moore right now!”

Then, she turned around and flashed a smile at Ann. She humbled herself into an apologetic posture and said, “I’m so sorry you had to see this, Ms. Moore. I’ll get her out of here now.”

The summer day was hot, but the wet clothes clinging to my body turned every gust of wind into a chill that gave me shivers.

Due to long-term malnutrition, my mind had grown foggy and sluggish.

Just as I thought I would be turned away, a gentle female voice spoke to me.

“They have a point. Why should I claim you?”

Hearing those words, I breathed a sigh of relief before looking up at the floating comment hanging in the air and allowing myself the faintest smile.

I knew then that my plan had worked.