Mom Chose Her Students While Sacrificing Me

But that person couldn't be me.In elementary school, I won first place in a math competition. The whole school competed.When I got the certificate, I raced home in excitement. I tripped and fell, but I didn't even feel the pain. I scrambled up and rushed to show Mom, eager to share my joy.Mom glanced at it, then tore my certificate to shreds."Why are you good at math?"You're my daughter. Why are you so much like him?"So what if you're like your father? He won't love you either!"Are you trying to upset me on purpose? Why math of all things?"All because my father was a math teacher.Mom destroyed everything I had that related to math.All those tests with bright red A+'s, she threw them into the fireplace, watching them turn to ash.I cried out, but her cold voice cut through the air: "You really aren't my daughter. You're his."From that day on, my mother wasn't Mom anymore. She was Miss Anderson.And I never dared to show any talent for math again.I sat awkwardly

My hand froze mid-knock.Deep down, I knew Bradley wasn't the real reason. It was just a convenient excuse.My mother had probably wanted to cut ties with me for a long time.But she never had a good reason until now.With Bradley's situation, she could finally get rid of me, this burden that constantly reminded her of her shameful past.I only took the little stuffed bunny from the top of the box.It was a gift from Grandma, my only toy.Among all my possessions, it was the only thing that wasn't secondhand.The only thing that truly belonged to me.Even though I'd always known my mother didn't love me, when it actually came to this, my heart still ached unbearably.I gently touched the bunny's forehead, silently vowing that I would never abandon my little bunny.She was my only family in this world now.From now on, I only had her.The hundred bucks Dad gave me was my only savings.I couldn't bring myself to spend it on a motel room.Instead, I found an internet café t

After years of being called ungrateful, what difference would it make to truly be ungrateful for once?I was determined to become a champion in the state competition, take first place in the nationals, and join the Olympic training team. I wanted to leave this place and go somewhere I truly belonged. Unfortunately, fate had never seemed to favor me.The state competition was held in the capital city, which would take hours to travel to from our small town. Even if I hadn't spent the hundred dollars Dad gave me, it wouldn't be enough.My fingers touched the locket on my necklace, a keepsake from Grandma.On her deathbed, Grandma had pressed the locket into my hand."All the money I've saved over the years is in here. My precious Quincy, when you need money, pawn it. Don't hesitate to use it. I won't be able to see you become a mathematician, but I'll watch over you from heaven..."Grandma... Grandma...Tears blurred my vision.I murmured her name over and over.My grip on t

The line of students doing their mathematics worksheets came to a halt, as all eyes darted between my mother and me.I stepped out from the crowd. How could my mother ever allow me to study math? How could she stand to see me win math awards?"Miss Anderson, have you forgotten? You were the one who kicked me out of the house!""It's normal for mothers and daughters to have friction. Let bygones be bygones. Don't make a scene."Deflection was my mother's go-to tactic.With those words, bystanders would start trying to mediate, as if our rift was due to my disobedience.No one knew how hard it had been for me just to survive all these years.And no one knew that only at times like this would she call herself my mother.But this time was different.Miss Hudson, out of breath, ran from the front of the line and shielded me behind her."Quincy, you ungrateful wretch! I'm telling you, if you don't come back with me today, you'll never be able to take the examination!""I won't giv

After the league competition, Miss Hudson arranged for me to stay at a secret location that only she and I knew about.My education transitioned to online learning.I couldn't afford to have any more accidents.When the results were announced, it was inevitable that my mother would discover I was left-handed.Sure enough, on the day the results were announced, teachers in the office congratulated my mother.Of course, she didn't believe it."Nonsense. Quincy's right hand was broken. How could she write? You must have misread," she said to the teachers.A teacher immediately led my mother over, comparing details from school to other specifics."Look, did I misread anything? Your Quincy is truly a genius," the teacher said.My mother swayed unsteadily, muttering, "No, no, that's not right."She approached the education bureau and officials again, this time reporting suspicions that Miss Hudson's institute had bought placements.After a period of investigation, the institute wa