Chapter 6
As soon as the plane landed, I was bombarded with countless missed calls and messages.
I ignored them all and threw myself into the arms of my mentor.
She was a professor of mine and Kyla’s back in college. She knew everything about the history between Kyla and me, and she had. always stood by my side, firmly believing in me.
She had always said that Kyla had an impatient personality, lacking the composure to focus, while I was clearly the more stable and diligent one.
She never understood why my parents unconditionally favored Kyla.
My mentor, who had no children of her own, treated me like her daughter.
She knew that working with Doctors Without Borders was dangerous and had tried to persuade me to reconsider for a long time. But when she saw that I had made up my mind, she agreed.
We worked in a place torn apart by constant warfare, with countless wounded civilians brought in every day.
Gradually, I forgot about my past self and threw myself into
Chapter 6
treating the injured.
The internet connection in our dorm was unstable, and I rarely kept up with the news from back home.
That was until my mentor noticed that my parents‘ post had gone viral.
It had been a year since I last saw them, and in the video, they looked as if they had aged ten years. Tears streamed down their faces as they spoke into the camera.
“Sophie, where have you gone? We know we were wrong. Please come back and see us! We miss you so much!
“We promise we won’t favor Kyla anymore. You’re both our children, and we’ll treat you both the same from now on!”
The comments were filled with accusations against me.
“How can a daughter be so ungrateful? Even if your parents favor your sister, you can’t just abandon the parents who gave birth to you!”
Kyla, who had gained attention for her role as the “most beautiful doctor” during a high–speed rail medical incident, appeared in the interviews as well, arm–in–arm with Eddie.
“Sophie, I know you don’t like me, but you can’t leave Mom and Dad just because of me. I’ve already forgiven you for what happened when I got lost, and I’ve asked Mom and Dad not to blame you. We’re still a family!”
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3/5
It was the same old line.
Back then, whenever she mentioned getting lost, everyone would take her side.
And now, the public opinion had shifted entirely in her favor. The entire internet was calling me an unfilial daughter.
Months passed, and finally, my parents found me.
They disregarded the danger and came to the hospital where I was working.
Seeing the rough surroundings and the constant sounds of artillery fire, they broke down in tears, hugging me tightly.
“Sophie, how could you be in such a dangerous place…
“We’ve been so worried about you. Come home with us!
“How have you been? This place is terrifying. You probably can’t even get a good night’s sleep!”
They couldn’t have been more wrong. During these days abroad, I had slept more peacefully than I had in years.
I wasn’t afraid of the spreading flames of war, nor was I afraid of dying here.
What terrified me back then was the thought that one day, my parents would leave me again.
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Mom cried while scolding me.
4/5
“Sophie, how could you not keep in touch with us? Do you know how much we’ve worried about you?
“We searched for over a year, and finally, we heard from one of your former colleagues that you’re here working as a doctor… Please come back with us.”
I coldly shrugged her hand off, keeping my distance from them.
“Sir, Madam, I remember very well that a long time ago, I used money and my position to settle things with you two. I’m not longer your daughter.
“Isn’t Kyla enough for you? You have a daughter who makes you proud, don’t you?”
Mom sobbed.
“Sophie, you’re also our most proud daughter!”
If this had happened before, I would have been moved, thinking that my efforts were finally being recognized by my parents.
But back then, no matter how hard I worked, no matter how I excelled, they never saw it. Instead, whenever Kyla made any progress, she would be showered with rewards.
I thought that as long as I worked hard enough to reach the highest level, they would be proud of me.
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So, I studied hard and became an outstanding graduate.
5/5
When I found out they were willing to attend my graduation ceremony, I was overjoyed, thinking about how I would thank them in my speech the next day.
But instead, they abandoned me to accompany Kyla, who had a slight cold, while I was left alone on stage.
I heard whispers from the audience.
“Does she not have parents? How sad…”
At that moment, the pride I should have felt from giving my speech vanished. I was suddenly ashamed.
Afterward, I saw Kyla’s post.
“It’s just a cold, but Mom and Dad are so worried about me. I
love them so much.”
B
