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Chapter 6 A New Beginning
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The Ones I Left Behind Chapter 8 The Last Word
I stayed at the university as a professor after I graduated.As my reputation grew, paid trolls began digging into my past. Some tracked down my parents and urged them to publicly accuse me of being an ungrateful daughter.Eleanor sobbed on camera, tears and snot running down her face. "Gwyneth is our daughter. She might've abandoned us, but all we want is for her to lead a good life."Netizens flooded the comments, condemning me.The university had no choice but to suspend me from my position.The principal called me into his office. "Professor Croft, I know what kind of person you are, but this negative publicity has seriously impacted the university's image."I could tell how troubled he was, so I told him I understood."I understand your position, sir. Please give me a week, and I'll give you a satisfactory answer."The principal nodded and patted my shoulder reassuringly.….Five days after my parents posted their tearful video, my "story" titled "University Professor Ac
The Ones I Left Behind Chapter 7 My Terms
The principal called me into the conference room and left us alone.My parents' eyes reddened the moment they saw me, but I knew it wasn't out of love.Eleanor shot to her feet."Gwyneth, you've been gone for two years, and you haven't contacted us even once. You wouldn't have bothered calling us if we hadn't noticed that you'd returned to the country, right?"Vincent looked at me and raised a hand, but said nothing. However, his face was dripping with bitter resentment.Unfortunately for them, I was long past caring about their opinions of me.So, I pulled out a chair and made myself comfortable."I didn't earn a spot as an exchange student until my sophomore year, thanks to my grades. Did either of you contact me once during my entire freshman year? So, what's all this? "Ah, I see what's really happening here. Now that you think I've made something of myself and am now a tool that you use to put on airs, you've suddenly remembered that you have another daughter?"Eleanor re
The Ones I Left Behind Chapter 6 A New Beginning
As I sat on the plane, I watched the city grow smaller and smaller through the window.It felt as though the scenery fading into the distance was also carrying away all the hurt I'd endured over the years.Exchange students didn't have to find their own host families as the school would arrange everything for them.…Dawn had barely broken when I landed.Someone from the school was waiting at the airport with a sign bearing my name. When the older student saw me, he took my luggage from me and began telling me about the school as we walked."Hi, Gwyneth. I'm Adam."Adam Jackson had the classic Ostorian look, with striking blond hair that shimmered in the sunlight.Somehow, I felt like it seemed to shine with the promise of the new life awaiting me.A relaxed smile spread across my face for the first time since I'd left the country. "Hi, Adam. I'm Gwyneth."We exchanged a glance before bursting into a peal of giggles.My new school became a second home to me within a week.T
The Ones I Left Behind Chapter 5 Cutting Ties
After the relatives left, Eleanor picked up her phone and rang me up.It was the first time she'd called me since I started college.The phone rang for a long time before the ringing stopped. Then, it started again.I knew I had to face the music eventually, so I let out a weary sigh and answered."Gwyneth, look at you, getting all high and mighty now that you're all grown up, huh? You're going abroad without telling us? And where are you going, missy? I raised you all these years, and you're just going to up and leave? Are you abandoning this family?"Her barrage of questions left me struggling to breathe.In the past year, she hadn't once asked if I had enough money, if I was eating well, or if the people around me treated me well.Yet, the first time she'd deigned to contact me, all she wanted to do was interrogate me about whether I still wanted anything to do with this family.The gall. After all, didn't they abandon me first? I could hear the fear in her voice. She was
The Ones I Left Behind Chapter 4 A Chance to Leave
After I graduated from high school, Eleanor wanted me to get a job instead of going to college.It was my grandmother who insisted that I keep studying. She said I'd gotten into a good school and had a bright future ahead of me.However, Eleanor didn't give a damn about what school I'd gotten into. All that mattered to her was that I started earning money to support the family.When I showed her my acceptance letter, she even frowned as if she were making a huge concession."I initially wanted you to get a job and help support the family, but your grandmother insists you keep going to school."Fine, go if you want. However, I'm not paying a single dime. Also, you have to send at least 1,000 dollars home every month. Otherwise, you can forget about college."I stared at Eleanor for a long time until she eventually grew impatient.Finally, I nodded. "Okay."…I spent that entire summer working.I worked four jobs a day. I worked at a breakfast place in the mornings before rushi
The Ones I Left Behind Chapter 3 The Last Straw
When we left the aquarium, Eleanor stopped me. "Come here. Let's take a family picture."I obediently went over and watched her take a selfie stick out of her bag.So, she didn't need someone to take the picture. She just didn't want me in it with them.She was only taking this family picture to keep my grandmother from nagging her.How pathetic. I had to depend on my grandmother's constant defense to finally get the family picture I'd dreamed of.My eyes grew red before I knew it.Eleanor posed for the camera, but she scowled at me the moment she noticed my teary eyes. "Why are you crying over a picture? Have you considered what people will think of me if I post this? Have I been abusing you? Are you trying to make your own mother look abusive?"Then, she shoved me aside. "Fine. Go crouch over there and keep your head down. That's right. Just make sure a part of you is in the frame."Once the picture was taken, she seemed to think her job was done."I'm taking Phoebe to the s
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