Rescue and Disappointment

"What do you want as your reward, Laura? Tell us, and we'll make it happen."

Hearing the familiar voice, I looked around in shock. The journalists around me were all smiling warmly.

"Laura, you risked your life to save your parents. You deserve to be rewarded."

"Go on, tell us what you want."

I opened my mouth, but before I could say anything, Lily threw herself into my parents' arms.

"Mom, Dad, I was worried sick! I wanted to go in and save you, but Laura didn't let me!"

My parents immediately wrapped their arms around Lily and began checking if she was hurt.

Seeing that, I decided to keep quiet. I looked at the three of them who looked like a happy family of three.

When the fire started in our house, I was woken up from my nap by the choking smoke. After I ran out of the house, I realized that my parents were still trapped inside. I wanted to head back into the house with Lily to save them, but she just ran to safety and said disdainfully, "I'm not risking my own life to go back in there to save them! They're not even my real parents anyway! I'd rather they die in this fire! That way, I can inherit all their assets!"

I had no choice but to tell her to call 911, and I chose to go back into our house to save my parents.

But right now, my parents didn't even pay any attention to my burnt arm. Instead, they began comforting Lily, who they thought was frightened.

This was the ridiculous family that I was living in.

My parents only realized that they had left me hanging when they heard the journalists' reminder.

"You're not the only hero today, Laura. Lily wanted to come and save us, but you stopped her. You're the one who prevented her from gaining any merit. You've always liked to compete for our love. We'll let this matter slide this time, but you'd better think carefully about this wish of yours today."

Their eyes were cold. It was as if I didn't save them from the fire; instead, I was trying to kill them with the fire.

At that moment, Lily, who was crying in their arms, turned around and said, "Laura, I know you've always hated me and wanted to compete with me for Mom and Dad's love. You must really want to use this chance to kick me out of the house, right? If that's your wish, then... for the sake of Mom and Dad's reputation, I'll make sure you get what you want."