When I was five, Mom said she was going for a "little plastic surgery." Before she entered the operating room, I tilted my head and asked her: "If Mommy changes her face, what if Nina can't recognize you?" She smiled, but tears kept falling. "In the future, whoever Daddy tells you to call Mommy, that person is me." I nodded obediently. Not long after, Dad really brought back a beautiful Mommy. I happily rushed over, but was pushed away by her. The little boy behind her threw stones at me with a face full of hatred. "Get lost! Don't touch my Daddy and Mommy!" From then on, my room became my brother's room. My clothes and toys were thrown into the trash. Dad was busy with work and would only occasionally rub my head helplessly. "Nina, you must listen to Mommy so Daddy won't worry." One time, I accidentally knocked over hot water. I instinctively wanted a hug from Mommy. She looked coldly at the third-floor balcony. "If you want a hug, jump from there." Chapter 1 I looked up at the balcony Mom pointed to. I didn't understand why last time she gently coaxed me: "Nina, the balcony is dangerous, don't go near it." But this time, she wanted me to jump. Just for a hug. But soon, I remembered Mom's instructions before the surgery. "Mommy might have a bad temper after the surgery." "Nina, be good then, and listen to Mommy." So, I clenched my scalded little hand and walked step by step toward the third floor. With almost no hesitation. Under Mom's indifferent gaze. I jumped from the balcony. My body hit the chandelier on the second floor and crashed onto the sofa in the center of the living room. A cracking sound came from my knee. I rolled on the sofa in pain, opening my watery eyes to ask: "Mommy, can you hug Nina now?" Seeing I only hurt my leg, a trace of disappointment flashed in her eyes. Her bright red lips spat out one word. "Idiot." Not long after, Dad rushed back, panting. Seeing the private doctor applying ointment to me. Dad's eyes turned red with anger. He slapped me across the face. "Nina! How many times have I told you to behave at home!" My face swelled up. Just as I wanted to explain. I looked up and met Mom's threatening eyes. Although she had a gentle smile, the force she used to apply the ice pack got heavier and heavier. I grimaced in pain, daring not to cry. Dad was furious. "Are you trying to cause trouble for me on purpose?" "I remember you used to be sensible. Why have you become like this!" I held back my tears. It was them who changed. Mom wouldn't ask me to jump off a balcony before, and Dad wouldn't be so fierce. Mom spoke up for me from the side. "Don't scold the child. It's normal to be playful at this age." "It's my fault for not watching her closely." Unexpectedly, her words completely ignited Dad's anger. He called the butler and ordered: "No dinner for Nina tonight!" "From today on, all her play activities and hobby classes are cancelled." "I think she's just living too comfortably, always looking for trouble." After speaking. Dad changed his face to coax Mom. "Thanks for taking care of the two kids recently. Buy whatever you want." "And sign Caleb up for that European summer camp." Mom happily threw herself on Dad and kissed him. At night, my brother Caleb came to the small attic with the summer camp invitation to show off. Before leaving, he poured a basin of cold water on my bedding. And stuck his tongue out at me. "You're just like your mom, a bitch!" I jumped anxiously. "My mom is your mom! You can't say that about Mom!" He rushed over disdainfully, grabbed my hand, and bit it hard. "Bullshit! Your mom is already dead!" I froze. Chapter 2 I heard this word from Mom and Caleb more than once. Mom used to say "death" is a bad word and shouldn't be said casually. But now, whenever they are angry, they always talk about death. Looking at the bleeding bite mark on my arm. I used tissue as a bandage. I laid out old clothes on the floor again and lay down. Before sleeping, I thought about how to make Mom happy tomorrow. I remembered Mom used to love honey toast. Early the next morning, Dad went to the office early. I brought breakfast to Mom's bed. She took one look. Her face changed drastically. Mom dragged me by my hair all the way to the dark room. Her angry tone sounded like she wanted to eat me. "You little bitch! You know I'm allergic to honey and want to kill me, don't you!" I cried and struggled. "Mommy, I was wrong... Nina just wanted to make you happy..." Bang. The iron door cut off my begging. Mom's disgusted voice came from outside. "Don't call me Mommy when Simon isn't around." "I'm not that poor, unlucky woman!" I curled up in the corner. The scalded arm from yesterday scraped against the floor, peeling off a layer of skin. It hurt. So much. After this incident, I seemed to understand something. The woman in my house really doesn't seem to be my mom. Although she looks beautiful and wears perfume. She doesn't have Mom's scent, nor does she feel soft. So. While she took Caleb to the amusement park. I secretly ran out, deciding to find Mom. Outside was a bustling world I hadn't seen before. I looked up in the crowd, searching everywhere. But before I could find Mom, I bumped into a police officer. He frowned and asked why I was alone and where my mom was. I answered honestly. "My mom got plastic surgery and changed her face. I'm looking for her now!" The officer was confused. "Where did your mom get surgery?" "A white room! Many uncles and aunts in white clothes, and a small TV." I gestured. The line on the small TV went from wavy to straight. My short sleeves revealed my scars. The officer's face showed complex emotions. He squatted down. Voice softened. "Come with me. I have a way to find your mom." I obediently put my hand in his. Unexpectedly, he took me to the police station. Minutes later, Dad arrived with a dark face. The officer frowned. "How do you watch your child? The injuries on her..." Dad looked angry. He ignored everyone, dragged me out by the arm, and retorted to the officer. "Those injuries are from her own disobedience!" I hung my head silently, feeling wronged again. Dad threw me into the back seat. The door slammed bang, shaking the car. Dad punched the steering wheel. "Nina! Why are you doing this? Did your dead mom teach you?" "Is she teaching you to punish me for using her dowry to start my business, or for keeping Shelby as a mistress?" "She was a woman who didn't know how to adapt until death! Who in this circle doesn't have a woman on the side? But she was stubborn and taught you to cause trouble!" Dad's anger surrounded me. I didn't understand what he was saying. In an instant, I was pulled back to when Mom and Dad fought. I was scared and cried helplessly, just like then. After a long time. He was tired of venting, and I was tired of crying. Dad turned around, wiped my tears, and spoke in a tone half-negotiating, half-ordering. "Dad is going on a business trip for two days. You must listen to Mommy." "Don't make Mommy and Caleb angry. If she's unhappy, stay in your small room, eat less, speak quietly." "If you do this, Dad will grant you a wish, okay?" I sniffled and nodded heavily. After making a wish in my heart. I took a candy from my pocket and put it in Dad's hand. "Daddy, Nina will do it." Dad looked at the candy, stunned for a moment. Before leaving, he smiled at me for the first time in a long while, and secretly put a photo of Mom before surgery in my pocket. "Nina, Mommy won't come back. If you miss her, look at the photo." Chapter 3 Now, I am very sure the mother at home is not my mom. But to reassure Dad, and not to make her angry. I still call her Mom. First day Dad was away, I kept my promise. At breakfast, I lifted the chair to avoid noise. Chewed slowly without sound. Caleb spat milk on me. I didn't cry for Mom's help. Instead, I took a tissue and wiped it off silently. Cleaned up the trash, bowed to Mom. "Mommy, I'm done." After they finished, I stood on a stool to wash the dishes. The rest of the day. No lunch, no dinner. Like Dad said. Shrink in my small room. Eat less, speak quietly. When hungry, I drew pictures of my wish. To show Dad when he returns. The first day ended peacefully. Mom rarely praised me. "Sensible today. Pity, you are her daughter." I didn't understand. Smiled foolishly at her, fawning. "Thank you, Mommy." Suddenly, she saw the corner of the photo in my pocket. Her smile froze. By the time I realized and tried to cover it, it was too late. Mom snatched the photo. Her face turned black instantly. "Nina, where did this come from?" Before I could speak, she grabbed my shoulders and shook me like crazy. "Did I not say, don't let me see this woman's shadow in this house!" "Nina! You are the ghost left by that woman!!" The photo shredded in her hands. I jumped to stop her. Mom raised her hand, Slap! Caleb clapped and cheered. "The little bitch got hit again!" My head buzzed from the slap. I bit my lip, daring not to cry. Looked up, squeezed out an ugly smile. "Mommy, I was wrong." I turned to run back to the attic. Behind me, Mom grabbed my hair. "Hiss." I fell backward, ceiling receding. This time, Mom threw me out the door. Freezing December. Snow piled up to my waist. I wore only thin short sleeves. Cold wind cut like knives on old wounds. I banged on the door crying. "Mommy! Nina is really wrong!" "Nina won't make you angry again!" Inside, Mom made a call. "I can't stand this kid for a second. While Simon isn't here, think of a way to get rid of her." Chapter 4 Tired of crying, I curled into a ball. Fell asleep by the pillar. In my dream, Mom hugged me by the fireplace telling stories. She was so gentle, voice soft as feathers. But next second. Mom coughed blood on the book. Tubes all over her. Going for that "surgery" again. This time, I cried snot and tears, grabbing her hand. "Mommy, don't go! Nina can't find you!" I tried my best, but couldn't stop the cart pushing her into the white room. Woke up crying from the dream. I was covered in tubes too, lying on the attic bed. But there were strange uncles and aunts in white coats. A man in black asked again. "Miss Shelby, are you sure? The child doesn't deserve this. Why use such cruel blood drawing..." "What about Mr. Vance..." From the foot of the bed came Mom's impatient growl. "With her around, Simon will always feel guilty about his dead ex-wife. How can he love me and my son?" "I just want to live a good life with him. What's wrong with touching his daughter?" The door slammed shut. The man in black walked to the bed. I tried to grab his pinky. "Uncle, will I see Mommy?" He frowned, unbearable. Turned away, whispered "Do it." A needle as long as my arm pierced me. I saw blood flowing into bags. I had no strength to struggle or speak. My small head couldn't understand. I was good enough. Why was Mom still angry? Lying on the cold bed. Bright lights blinded me. Vision darkened. In a trance, I saw Mom before surgery. I reached out. "Mommy, did it hurt this much during your surgery?" "Mommy... Nina misses you." "But... Nina hasn't told Daddy her wish yet..." ... In the Vance mansion, Simon returned a day early with gifts. Before entering, he shouted. "Nina! Daddy's home!" Simon brought a princess dress, cake, diamond tiara, Barbie dolls. Everything a little girl likes. Enough to grant Nina's wish. But no one ran out to greet him. Instead, Shelby ran down from the attic in a panic. Simon gave her an expensive necklace. And a limited edition car model for Caleb. Shelby was flustered by his early return, glancing at the attic. Simon realized something was wrong. He strode up. Shelby blocked him. "She threw a tantrum and ran out!" But a bad feeling urged Simon upstairs. He called "Nina" walking down the hall. Silence in the attic. Simon opened the door. The scene made him pale, legs weak, falling to his knees. Chapter 5 Simon never expected. The daughter who pinky-swore to wait for him yesterday. Now lay pale on the small bed, floor covered in syringes and blood bags. "Nina, Daddy's back." "Did you hear? Get up and call Daddy." Simon tried to stop shaking, but stumbled. On the bed. Nina's palm-sized face had no color. Lips scary white. Simon picked her up. Body limp, lighter than a chick. He turned, eyes red, looking at Shelby who arrived late. "What is this?" Shelby argued. "She made noise all day while you were gone." "I just wanted to draw some blood to punish her. Who knew she was so weak?" "Just like her mom, weak as hell!" Even Caleb jumped out. "Mommy didn't sleep well taking care of her." "Look, she has dark circles!" Simon stood there in disbelief. Facing a dying life. Shelby and Caleb could be so self-righteous. Reminding him. Three years ago, Shelby climbed into his bed after a party. The dignified Miss Shelby willing to be his lover. Until after his ex-wife died, the night he married Shelby. He thought he was climbing the social ladder. Shelby cried, confessing she was the least favored daughter and had a secret son abroad. Turns out, Shelby wanted him to be the stepfather from the start. And he accepted everything. Angered his wife to death, and now his daughter. Simon regretted it to his gut. Roared. "Get out! I'm taking Nina to the hospital!" Simon walked downstairs. Shelby blocked him. "Simon! She's hopeless!" "If you take her like this, what will people think of me?" Simon sneered. "You, a rich miss, care about opinions?" Dropping this, he walked past her. Behind him. Shelby dragged Caleb to kneel. "Simon, I'm already despised for having a child out of wedlock. Now married to you, I can finally live cleanly. I can't have more stains." "If she dies, she dies. Can't we live happily as a family?" The more Shelby tried to cover it up. The more hate surged in Simon's heart. "I'll say it once." "Get out." He shoved Shelby aside, hugging Nina tight, running to the hospital. The breathing in his arms faded. Simon begged humbly. "Nina, please, don't sleep." "Daddy's back. Daddy's taking you to the hospital."
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