3
When we got out of the car, the old butler
noticed I was limping. He teared up but didn’t
say anything. He went to help me.
I flinched away without even thinking.
“Thanks.”
く
୮
My parents rushed over the second they saw
me, but they stopped themselves before they
hugged me. I saw a flash of pain in their eyes.
“Honey, you suffered so much overseas. Your
mother wasn’t there for you, you must not
have been eating well, right?”
“Quick! Your Dad made dumplings today, just
waiting for you to get home…”
Before she could finish, Jake rolled his eyes
and waved me off.
“Suffered? It’s all an act! She was giving
everyone grief on the way, acting like a
<
princess who didn’t want to get in the car!”
“Mom! Why did you slap me?”
Mom just glared at him, disappointed.
I watched it all calmly, not feeling any kind of
family connection.
Then she looked back at me, her eyes filled
with pity.
I couldn’t tell if it was real or not. After all,
these were the people who’d said they wanted to abort me. Could they really have changed that much?
<
“Don’t say that stuff now that Ashley’s home.
No matter what, she’s your sister, and she’s
part of this family!”
Jake just muttered under his breath.
We went inside, and all that was left on the
table was a mess of leftovers.
Dad said awkwardly, “Well, Amy’s got a
sensitive stomach… I didn’t want her to get hungry, so she ate first…”
Like he meant it or not, Jake let out a loud burp.
I understood.
L
Family dinner… didn’t include me.
“Mr. and Mrs. Smith, you don’t have to worry
about me. I’m not hungry. Please don’t trouble
yourselves.”
I was scared I couldn’t repay them.
Besides, skipping a meal or two had been
normal for six years. One time I went three
days without food, just surviving on snow. I was so hungry I started chewing on my own
flesh.
My stomach was probably ulcerated by now.
“What… what did you call us?”
く
Mom and Dad were stunned, their eyes red.
They couldn’t believe their own daughter was
calling them that. Or maybe they were just
upset that I didn’t instantly start hugging
them, complaining, begging for comfort.
Was that it?
Seeing I wasn’t going to sit down, Dad
stopped Mom and sighed heavily.
“Never mind, just take her upstairs and let her
wash up.”
