I thought of the father who used to lift me up with a smile and pressed my lips together.
At least, I wanted to say a proper goodbye.
When I entered the living room, my parents seemed visibly uneasy at the sight of me.
"Eileen, you're back." My mother, who had been holding Eden's hand, awkwardly let go when she saw me.
Eden looked displeased at being released, then shot me a venomous look.
What was she unhappy about? She was now the true heiress of a wealthy family.
And I was just an imposter about to move out.
"Mom, Dad, can I talk to you?"
My mother hesitated, wanting to go to the study with me, but Eden held her back.
"I'm a part of this family now, so let's just talk here."
I glanced at her, and she flinched but defiantly glared back.
My parents listened to her and sat down again.
Of course, I was an outsider. What right did I have to talk to them?
Without hesitation, I turned and went upstairs.
In the month of no contact with the family, I had come to understand their choice.
One daughter who suffered hardship outside, another who was swapped to steal her destiny.
I had no standing to blame them.
But my nose tingled, and I couldn't hold back my tears.