C09
I shook my head and continued, “After all, since middle school, I’ve been working part–time on my own and still
gave you the money I saved.”
“And you were content to accept it, making me eat Celline’s leftovers and expecting me to be grateful.”
Instantly, Dad’s old face turned red. He raised his hand and slapped himself twice in quick succession, tears streaming down his face. “Blame me, blame me!”
“You could have told me the truth earlier, but you didn’t. Was it because I was too young at the time? Or did you
think Celline was enough to replace me?”
D
10:29 AM
A Fake Poverty that My Parent Build for Me
“Go home.”
I stood up, intending to leave. But they grabbed my hands, one on each side.
D
“Sweetheart, we’ve been together for so many years. We have feelings, don’t we? Please, just reconcile with us,” Mom pleaded, her eyes brimming with tears.
“We will do everything to make it up to you in the future. Forgive us, please. We know we were wrong.”
Dad’s voice cracked as he sobbed. Their desperate display drew the attention of the people around us. Whispers filled the air as strangers turned to watch the scene unfold.
I frowned, my patience thinning. “Look around. If this continues, how will I ever finish my studies? Are you trying to drive me to my breaking point?”
Their hands faltered as they glanced around at the onlookers.
“Leave me alone,” I sighed, exhaustion seeping into my voice.
They exchanged a look before reluctantly letting go.
“Maybe one day I’ll forgive you, but certainly not now.”
Without another glance, I strode away, my heart pounding as their cries intensified behind me. But I didn’t turn back. Instead, I quickened my pace, vanishing into the sea of people.
I thought they would give up after that, but I was wrong. Instead, they began showering me with gifts.
Every day, they sent food and the latest electronic devices–tablets, phones, laptops–always the most expensive models. They even sent jewelry, each piece worth a fortune.
As a result, I found myself the target of envy, hated and threatened by those who wanted my things. I was even followed by thieves, leaving me feeling constantly on edge. I couldn’t take it anymore. So, I donated everything they gave me to charity, refused to see them and informed the college about the situation.
I also sought help from the professor. He devised a plan: I would join a confidential research project and if my parents asked, the college would have no record of my whereabouts.
It was a perfect solution. The day before I joined the project, I received a card from Mom and Dad.
“We’re sorry, sweetheaet. We didn’t realize that sending you gifts would attract the wrong kind of attention. We didn’t think it through. We will find another way to make it up to you, until the day you’re ready to forgive us.”
I didn’t reply.
Once inside the secret research program, my days became monotonous, but also peaceful. There were no more interruptions from Mom and Dad. Just pure focus on research and self–improvement.
I found that I enjoyed this kind of life. The head of the lab even remarked that I was born to be a researcher, someone who could endure solitude and isolation.
Two months later, I finally got a short break–a two–day vacation. During that time, I spoke with the professor over the phone. He told me that my parents had finally returned home. But that wasn’t all. He also revealed another shocking truth.
The old nanny who had once called me ugly, the one who had convinced my parents to push me aside, ha hidden agenda all along. Celline was her granddaughter.
Her plan had always been to switch me out, allowing her own flesh and blood to live in luxury. And once my parents were gone, Celline would claim the family fortune as her own.
