The Price of Abandonment,CEO Daddy's Redemption

Reunited with my birth parents for three months, our family went broke.

Caroline and Robert took Isabella, my adopted sister, to work in another city. Before they left, they only gave me three hundred dollars and told me to wait at home.

Three years later, I was diagnosed with stomach cancer. I couldn't help but call Caroline and Robert.

Caroline cried, saying:

Robert fell from a construction site earning your tuition, and hes still in the ICU. We really don't have any money for you, Amelia!

I rushed out of the hospital, taking a thirty-hour train ride to their city.

I was dying. All the money I'd saved these past years, I'd leave it for Robert's life-saving treatment.

But when I found them, they were living in a huge mansion, celebrating Isabella's eighteenth birthday.

I overheard Caroline saying:

She asked me for money. I cant believe weve been pretending to be poor for three years, and shes still so greedy. Shell definitely try to snatch Isabellas inheritance later.

Robert immediately called the landlord and told them to kick me out, saying I needed to suffer a bit more.

Caroline hesitated:

But won't she be homeless then?

But Caroline, this hypocritical family, I don't want it anymore.

So, the supposed bankruptcy, the "struggle" to support me, it was all a cruel charade, a "tough love" lesson orchestrated to keep me from competing with Isabella for their fortune.

I crouched down, a gush of black blood spilling from my mouth. The pain in my lower abdomen had spread to my heart.

I turned clumsily, wanting to leave.

But then I heard Carolines surprised voice from behind.

Mr. Davies said she wasn't home. They saw her buy a train ticket here yesterday. She wouldn't be coming to find us, would she?

They frantically changed into janitor and security guard uniforms.

Isabella sat on the side, looking annoyed, refusing to take off her ball gown no matter what.

My phone showed Caroline calling.

Her voice was incredibly gentle:

Honey, Mr. Davies just told us you came to the city where your father and I work. Is that true?

Where are you? Robert and I will come pick you up, okay?

I spoke softly:

Im at the train station.

Caroline said sweetly:

Good girl, sweetheart, we're coming to pick you up right away.

After hanging up, Carolines gentle demeanor vanished. She said irritably:

See? I told you! She wont give up until she gets money, and now shes here, isn't she?

Why is our biological daughter so cunning and selfish?

Robert sighed:

She's definitely picked up some bad habits out there. Looks like well need to think of another way to 'teach her a lesson.'

But its okay, we still have Isabella, don't we? Well just focus on raising Isabella well.

Their words pierced my heart like daggers.

Slowly, I wiped the blood from the corner of my mouth and turned to walk away.

I walked several blocks before a cake shop caught my eye.

A towering eighteen-tier cake, displayed in the window with a hefty price tag, was identical to the one Caroline and Robert gave Isabella.

A store clerk greeted me warmly.

This cake was custom-ordered by a famous local entrepreneur, Mr. Miller, for his beloved daughters eighteenth birthday.

Mr. Miller even had jewels and diamonds encrusted on that cake. It costs hundreds of times more than this one!

His daughter is so lucky, pampered like a little princess.

But she didn't know that the girl standing before her, in faded, old clothes,

was also Mr. Millers daughter.

Yet, I had nothing.

Would you like to buy a small slice to try?

But even a small slice was beyond my means.

On the street, a crying child threw his cake box on the ground, wailing:

I dont like this flavor; I want strawberry!

His parents gently coaxed him:

Okay, well go buy you some now.

I walked over and quietly asked:

Can I have this cake?

They looked at me with surprise and pity, then nodded.

I bent down and picked up the cake box, holding it like a precious treasure as I sat by the roadside.

Carefully, I put the broken pieces of cake into my mouth.

So, this is what cake tastes like.

So sweet, but why does it also taste salty?

I wiped away a tear, wanting another bite, when the cake was snatched from my hand.

Isabella! What are you doing picking up garbage to eat? Its so dirty! Throw it away!

Caroline threw the cake directly into the trash can.

Sister, youve been back for three years, why are you still acting so destitute? Picking up trash? Its disgusting.

Behind her, Isabella stood in a gorgeous dress, her face full of disdain.

Caroline glared at Isabella.

Seeing me staring at Isabellas dress, Caroline guiltily explained to me:

Your sister just started working at an event venue, doing hostess work to earn money. This dress was lent to her.

Now, hurry up and take it off! If you ruin it, we cant afford to pay for it!

Isabella pouted, saying nothing.

Caroline seemed to remember something, grabbed my hand, her eyes full of feigned sympathy.

Robert and I have been so busy, we completely forgot it was your birthday today. My dear, what would you like for your birthday?

My voice was hoarse. I pointed at the utterly ruined cake on the ground and said:

I want a cake.

Caroline lowered her head, looking troubled:

Its our fault, were not capable enough. That cake is too expensive; we cant afford it. How about I make you noodles when we get home?

I remained silent.

Seeing that I didnt object, Caroline sighed in relief and pulled me, wanting to leave.

But after only a few steps, the pain in my abdomen made it almost impossible to stand.

I collapsed to my knees in the snow.

Carolines panicked cries echoed in my ears.

Dont scare me! Whats wrong with you?!

The next time I woke, I was in a hospital bed.

Caroline and Robert, seeing me awake, hugged me with red eyes:

Its all our fault

Seeing their guilty expressions, my heart ached.

I felt a little anxious.

Did they know I had stomach cancer?

Were they finally going to tell me the truth? Would they regret tricking me, even a little bit?

I murmured:

Did the doctor tell you the test results?

Caroline froze, then looked away guiltily and said:

Our family is too poor we dont have money for your tests.

I think you just got a stomachache from eating that cake from the trash.

I asked the doctor to give you some painkillers See? Dont you feel much better now?

I stared at her blankly.

Caroline stood up and pulled me:

Since youre awake, lets go home with me. The hospital fees are too expensive; we don't have any money left.

It felt like my tears were flowing backward, straight into my heart, leaving a bitter ache in my chest.

The door to the hospital room burst open, and several fierce-looking men stormed in.

When are you going to pay back the thirty thousand dollars you owe us?!

If you dont pay up, well break your legs!

Caroline immediately pleaded.

Please, can you give us a few more days? We really dont have any money because of the medical bills.

Robert looked surprised but, catching Carolines eye, he immediately reacted.

Please give us a few more days. Weve been working really hard. My youngest daughter even started working at a club. Well pay you back soon.

The men sneered:

What good is one daughter working? Dont you have another one here?

Let this little girl go work at the club too. As soon as she earns enough to pay off the debt, well bring her back.

Caroline and Robert repeatedly refused.

No, you cant take our precious daughter! Were working so hard precisely so she can have a good life!

But they didnt move an inch, watching with expectant eyes as I was dragged away.

Just before I was shoved into the van,

Caroline suddenly panicked and called my name.

Amelia

Robert and I are so sorry. Well gather the money soon and bring you home.

I lowered my eyes, not looking at them.

I was thrown into the kitchen, where piles of dishes stood before me.

I wanted to tell them that I knew Caroline and Robert had hired them to give me a "hardship education."

I wanted to beg them to let me go.

But as soon as I opened my mouth, I was slapped several times and knocked down.

If I moved too slowly, Id get a kick to the stomach.

They held my head under the faucet, watching me gasp until my eyes rolled back, then they laughed and let go.

They talked loudly:

Talk about different fates! Both are daughters, but ones stuck here scrubbing dishes, while the others popping champagne bottles outside. Tsk, tsk, who cares if shes the real daughter? If shes not favored, shes still treated like trash.

A man holding a drink glass grabbed me from the floor:

The big boss outside wants you to deliver drinks. Hurry up.

I was pushed to the private room door.

Inside the room, a dazzling Isabella was surrounded by her friends.

The supervisor behind me kicked me in.

What are you waiting for?!

Numbly, I stepped forward and set down the drinks.

A girl shrieked, knocking over a bottle of wine. She pointed at me:

Why didnt you hold the bottle properly?! Look, you stained my dress!

Supervisor! What are you going to do about this?!

Brenda immediately understood. She grabbed me, pressed me onto the broken glass, and slapped me with all her might.

Her friend said:

Not enough! This dress cost me thousands! Do it again!

Punches and kicks rained down on me until I couldn't get up anymore. Only then did Isabella nod in satisfaction.

She walked over, smiling, and said to me:

Amelia! Surprised to see me here, arent you?

You didnt really think I was slaving away in this filthy place like you, did you? You didnt really think this dress was given to me by the club, did you?

Youre so naive. Caroline and Robert lied to you! They never went bankrupt. They just pretended to be poor because they were afraid youd fight me for the inheritance.

While you were back home, poor and scavenging for scraps on the streets, Caroline and Robert bought me an entire closet full of jewelry, luxury goods.

Who cares if youre the biological daughter? You still can't compete with me.

She wanted to see hatred and despair on my face.

But there was none. I clutched my abdomen and said.

I wont fight you, Isabella. Will you please let me go?

Ill cut ties with them. From now on, theyll be only your parents.

She scoffed, grabbed my hair, and poured a glass of liquor down my throat.

Do you think Ill believe that crap youre spewing?

Stomach pain, huh? Drink more and just die of the pain. If you die, no one will fight me for Caroline and Robert.

The burning alcohol seared my stomach, and the pain made me convulse uncontrollably.

I mustered all my strength and pushed Isabella away.

She shrieked and fell to the floor.

The rest room door was abruptly pushed open, and Caroline and Robert rushed in, pushing me aside with worried looks.

Isabella, are you okay? Did the glass cut you?

Amelia, didnt you see the glass all over the floor? How could you push your sister like that? What if you hurt her?!

I looked at Caroline and Robert, who were so panicked and worried that they forgot to maintain their pretense of poverty.

My heart felt like it had been ripped open.

So, they had been here all along

But why did they ignore my suffering?

Sister, you just hate us for pretending to be poor and tricking you. Go ahead and hit me, I wont fight back.

But you cant curse Caroline and Robert, calling them liars who deserve to die.

Caroline and Robert looked at me with extreme disappointment.

This was Carolines and my idea; it has nothing to do with your sister. How dare you hit her?!

We only pretended to be poor because you were too greedy and out of control.

Caroline and Robert listed my supposed transgressions one by one.

When we first brought you home, you were so envious and jealous of Isabella, you went into her room in the middle of the night and cut up all her dresses!

And all those missing pieces of Isabella's jewelry? They were eventually found in your room

I clenched my fists, staring at them in disbelief.

Roberts gaze grew even colder:

That time you stole Isabellas most valuable necklace, you insisted on calling the police.

Do you have any idea how priceless that jewelry was? If wed pressed charges, youd be facing at least ten years in prison!

For your sake, we pulled every string, telling the police to drop the investigation.

We even made your sister apologize to you to make you happy. What did we ever do to you that you hate us so much?!

Caroline said with red eyes:

Robert and I had it all planned out. As long as you didnt ask us for money for these three years, and learned to endure hardship.

We would tell you the truth, bring you home, and split the company and inheritance equally between you and Isabella.

But you disappointed us so much. Just because we pretended to be poor and you couldn't enjoy yourself, you wished death upon us.

I trembled uncontrollably.

So, you never believed me.

So, every time you said you believed those things werent my doing, it was all a lie.

I rubbed my eyes and said softly:

If you dislike me so much, then I wont be your daughter anymore.

I struggled to my feet and stumbled out.

Amelia! You stop right there!

We just said a few things to you, asking you to apologize! And now you want to cut ties with us?!

Carolines voice was furious:

Get back here!

Seeing that I still ignored her, Caroline grew anxious and shouted at me.

If youre leaving, leave everything we gave you behind!

The clothes youre wearing, we bought them for you! If you hate us so much, then dont use them!

Seeing me stop, she sighed in relief, but still said coldly:

Apologize to Robert and me! Apologize now, and we wont hold it against you that you failed this test.

However, youre very disobedient, so dont even think about our company and inheritance.

But, since youre our biological daughter, well still make sure you have enough to eat.

I shook my head, reached out, and took off my worn-out coat, sweater, shirt, and pants.

Until I was left with only thin underwear,

Caroline cried and rushed over, picking up the coat and throwing it over me.

She hit me as she covered me.

Why are you so disobedient, child?! Do you want to drive Robert and me to our graves?!

Is it so hard to admit you made a mistake?

I was the one who was hurt, yet she was the one crying.

I pulled off the coat she had draped over me and turned to walk out.

Suddenly, Isabellas shout came from behind.

My money is gone from my bag! Who stole my money?!

Everyone exchanged glances.

Isabella pulled a cheap button from her bag, identical to a button on my shirt.

Caroline suddenly looked up at me.