All Chapters of I Raised My Sister, but She Erased Me: Chapter 1 - Chapter 10

Outside the window, students were heading home, their voices filling the air.I remembered how Sierra used to run up and hug my leg whenever I came home from work."Shannon, I missed you so much!"That felt like a lifetime ago.I'd never told Sierra that we had a younger brother, Leo Reed.We grew up in a rural village where boys mattered more than girls. When Sierra was six, our parents, Carol Levitt and Donald Reed, left for another city, claiming they were looking for work. But the truth was, they'd had a son and had already decided not to come back.I was only 18 when they left Sierra with me.Our parents were good at putting on an act. They called once a month, always on time, and Sierra would cling to the phone, her little face lighting up with excitement."Mom said I sang really well today!""Dad said he might come visit me for New Year's!"I didn't want her to learn how cruel the world could be at such a young age, so I kept their calls short. I'd let them talk for 10

I thought I'd scared them off. At the very least, I thought they'd back off after our confrontation that day.But I'd underestimated how shameless they were.Sierra's room was unusually quiet that night. When I opened the door, she was curled up on her bed with her back to me. Her phone lay on the floor, its screen shattered.I picked it up. The screen was still on, and Dad had texted her."Sierra, I'm sorry. Your mom and I really wanted you to come stay with us, but Shannon wouldn't let you. You probably don't know this, but she's always thought you took our love away from her. That's why she doesn't want you to be happy."I've always loved you two equally. She went to summer camp back then, too. She even left you home alone for a whole month so she could go. I wanted to make it up to you, which is why I wanted to bring you here. But she won't let you come no matter what. It's disappointing, but there's nothing we can do. We won't contact you again. Take care, sweetheart."Sierr

Sierra let go of my hand and sank back into the couch, murmuring, "Six months…"Then, as if she'd suddenly thought of something, she lifted her head, her eyes lighting up. "Shannon, let's go to a bigger hospital! I'll go through this with you. There has to be a way!"I shook my head helplessly. "It won't work, Sierra. I've already…"She stood up and grabbed my hand. "I don't believe it! Let's go to a better hospital. There has to be something they can do! The money…"Sierra looked at the envelope. "I don't need that money anymore. I won't go to college. Use it for your treatment! We can spend as much as we need!"I pulled my hand away, genuinely upset this time. "Don't be ridiculous! How can you just give up your education? How are you supposed to make a living? What will people think of you?"Sierra's reply left me speechless."Then what about you? I won't even have a sister anymore. Why should I care what anyone thinks of me?" She wailed. "I'm sorry… I'm so sorry, Shannon. I r

The hospital room curtains were half-drawn. I leaned against the headboard and looked at Sierra, trying to think of a way to approach the topic."Do you remember how people in the village used to say Mom couldn't have a son when you were little? There's something I never told you. They took a baby boy with them when they left."Sierra nodded.I cleared my throat and said, "That's not their kid."Stunned, Sierra asked, "What do you mean?"I looked into her eyes. "They bought Leo. They didn't move away for work back then. They wanted to buy a boy."Sierra's mouth was agape, but no sound came out.I continued, "They'd always wanted a son, but after what happened to Dad, they couldn't have any more children. So they spent years saving up before getting in touch with a human trafficking ring."She finally found her voice. "How did you know?"I narrowed my eyes, trying to remember as the memories flooded back. "I witnessed it. The day they left, I saw them holding a baby. His baby b

A year later, Shannon stood at the college entrance, finally a true freshman. Her eyes held a new depth and maturity.Her phone rang. It was a call from Helen. She said, "Sierra, are you coming home this weekend? I kinda miss you."Sierra laughed. "Yeah, I'll arrive Saturday morning."She hung up and looked up at the sky.She knew I was right. Blood didn't matter. Love did.Sierra and Helen helped each other through their grief, and Helen became the sister she had now, but she would never forget who had raised her and who had given her life to protect her.The evidence had been handed over to the police, and the case was still under investigation. Our so-called parents had fled to another city, but sooner or later, they'd pay for what they'd done.They caught the culprit behind the summer camp, and the evidence had saved many more girls like me.Justice was late, but it finally came.A senior ran over with a smile. "Sierra, I'll show you to your dorm."She took Sierra's suitc