- 2.
The embassy brought me back to the States.
Stepping off the plane, the huge screen
flashed Tiffany’s face, she was everywhere.
“Congratulations to the daughter of the Gu
family on her safe return” was flashing.
It was all too much.
In the waiting area, some flight attendants
were whispering.
I could hear every word.
“Is that really the daughter of the rich couple?
I heard her country was unsafe, and her
parents panicked and sent ten private planes
with bodyguards to get her!”
“Yeah, the streets have welcome banners and
the couple even gave her a custom private
く
jet, with the best flight control and a full
medical team!”
My blood turned cold.
They not only sent a private jet for Tiffany,
but they made it a huge public celebration.
They wanted everyone to know how much
they loved her.
My hands shaking, I opened my phone.
My feed was full of, “Wealthy couple spends
a fortune to celebrate their daughter’s safe
return.”
Everyone in the comments was jealous.
“I want to be that girl! This is an amazing
<
life!”
“Her parents love her so much, it’s impossible
to compete with.”
“If I had parents like that, I’d be set for life!”
I swiped through the comments, feeling like I
couldn’t breathe.
For years, my parents only talked about
Tiffany.
Ashley and I were like shadows, hidden away.
In the beginning, Tiffany’s father gave them.
their first big order, which made them rich.
So, they were always grateful.
<
Later, Tiffany’s parents died, so they took her
- in.
We felt sorry for her and always shared with
her.
Then, in elementary school, some kids made
fun of Tiffany’s clothes.
Tiffany ran home crying, telling Mom and Dad
that Ashley and I had told the kids to bully
her.
They were so mad.
They yelled at us, not letting us explain.
They decided we were just jealous and kept
our relation a secret.
Г
After that, with Tiffany’s help, they started
hating us more.
I wanted to leave home with Ashley, but she
refused.
She thought our parents still loved us.
She thought they were just being misled by
Tiffany.
She thought that if we did well, they’d see our
value and love us again.
Then came Cambodia.
Ashley died.
I finally saw that Ashley’s dreams of family
were ridiculous.
く
I hate that I didn’t pull her out of here sooner,
maybe she’d be alive.
But it’s too late.
Knowing their real daughter was in a riot,
they canceled her flight.
But worried about Tiffany, who was safe, they
sent private planes to bring her home.
I don’t want that kind of family.
