Chapter 5
From that day on, I completely changed.
I stopped showing any emotion about Dad ignoring me or Kaya being his favorite.
I became quiet and focused, with a crystal clear goal in mind.
And I put away all my recreational books and filled my desk with thick workbooks and military academy brochures instead.
My desk lamp stayed on until way past midnight most nights.
My grades shot up at an absolutely mind–blowing pace, climbing from the middle of the pack all the way to the top of my class, then finally settling at the very
best spot.
Dad definitely noticed this change.
After getting over his shock, he felt secretly relieved, and even had this “I knew it” kind of feeling.
le figured that his cold treatment and giving all the resources and attention to Kaya had finally kicked my competitive spirit into gear.
hat it had made me see the light and start working hard to earn my place back.
le was totally fine with this development.
t dinner, Dad started casually bringing up company business, and for the first time ever, he’d actually ask what I thought about certain business deals.
e never said it outright, but his intentions were pretty obvious.
e was putting me back in the running to take over the company.
That I didn’t expect was that this subtle shift hit Mrs. Hayes right where it hurt most.
he’d worked so hard to secure her position in this family, and had finally managed to get Dad to pour all his energy into her son.
1st when victory was within reach, she wasn’t about to let me swoop back in and ruin everything.
ly important study materials would mysteriously disappear, only for me to find them later in the trash.
he night before my SATS, the AC in my room conveniently broke down, buzzing and making so much noise I couldn’t sleep, and somehow the repair guy was apossible to reach.
ne time, the milk she brought me tasted really off,
didn’t pretend not to notice – just quietly got up and poured it down the sink.
dodged all these little sabotage attempts without making a big deal about it.
nd I never told Dad about any of it, not because I was being patient, but because I genuinely thought it was a waste of time.
ly goals were set much higher and further away I had zero interest in getting involved in this kind of petty household drama.
hat is, until I intercepted a recommendation letter that Mrs. Hayes had altered, forging Dad’s handwriting.
he letter that was supposed to recommend me for a top international business school had been changed to recommend Kaya instead.
didn’t run to Dad crying about it. Instead, I took the letter straight to Mrs. Hayes and cornered her with it.
Ars. Hayes’s face went completely white, but she tried to stay calm. “Betty, why do you have that?”
Mrs. Hayes, you can stop doing all this pointless stuff.”
said it totally calmly, then continued, “I’m not interested in Dad’s company. I’m not gonna compete with Kaya for any of that.”
Mrs. Hayes looked confused for a second, then gave this awkward smile, “Betty, what are you talking about? I have no idea what you mean.”
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From ‘Beloved Daughter‘ to ‘Dead Burden”? Now Watch Your ‘Perfect Family BURN!
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Chapter 5
I pulled out my phone and showed her several audio recordings and photos.
Including security footage from that milk incident, plus a handwriting analysis report I’d had done.
I turned the phone screen toward her.
“If I wanted to, this stuff would be enough to make Dad kick you and your son out of this house.”
All the color drained from Mrs. Hayes’s face instantly.
“Why didn’t you…”
Her voice was shaking.
Why didn’t I expose you?”
I said it as casually as if I was talking about the weather, then continued, “Because my time is valuable – I need it for studying. Plus, I’m going to find Mom. I don’t have time to deal with your petty schemes.”
Mrs. Hayes’s expression immediately got all complicated.
When she heard me say the same “crazy stuff” I’d been saying since I was little, she instinctively took a step back, like she was afraid this hopeless lunatic migh uddenly attack her.
After that, Mrs. Hayes actually backed off and even went out of her way to avoid me.
When test scores came out, my name was right up there with the top students in the state, with scores that were absolutely brilliant.
Dad was over the moon, pulling out materials from several elite business schools he’d already prepared, looking super excited.
Betty. I knew you were the best! Come on, take a look at these business schools and tell me which one catches your eye.”
listened quietly to Dad’s whole plan, then shook my head.
Dad. I’m not applying to business school.”
Dad’s smile froze completely.
I already applied to the military medical academy.”
I said it word by word, then added “First choice, second choice, both the same. Won’t be long before the acceptance letter arrives.”
It was like someone dumped a bucket of ice water over his head all the joy disappeared from Dad’s face instantly.
Why?
He couldn’t wrap his head around it, then said “You scored this high just to become some army doctor? Do you have to fight me on everything?”
Took. I know I neglected you before, but I was doing it for your own good, trying to motivate you.”
“You should know how much I believe in you. Don’t you want the company? Why are you doing this to me?”
flooked at Dad and, just like countless times before, gave him the answer he couldn’t accept
“Because i’m going to find Mom”
Dad stumbled backward and collapsed into a chair, looking completely defeated
His carefully planned business empare crumbled in the face of what he saw as my impossible obsession.
“Dad,” I said softly, then continued Do you remember when I was fifteen and got that sudden illness? The hospital said they didn’t have enough of my rare blood type in stock, and even with all your connections, you couldn’t get it right away?
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