Later, I learned that my adoptive mom, Luna
Lewis, was the head of obstetrics at the Central Hospital. She and her husband, Luke, had been high school sweethearts and had a son. I went home with them that night. The rain was
pouring, but in my new parent’s arms, I didn’t feel even a single drop.
A boy of about five or six came tearing toward us as soon as we walked through the door. This was my first time seeing Luke Carter Jr. His eyes lit up as soon as he saw me. “Mom! Did you really bring me back a baby sister?” He poked my cheek, then quickly pulled back, afraid of hurting me.
“That’s right. She’s your sister now. Her name
is Lucy. You have to take care of her, okay?” He nodded enthusiastically. “Don’t worry, Mom. I’ll protect my sister.”
2
<
And Lucas did. From the time I started babbling
to the time I hit puberty, he never left my side.
Anything I wanted, he got for me. When the
other kids in the neighborhood tried to steal my toys, Lucas would crack their heads open. If a boy from school gave me a lollipop, Lucas would ambush him in the alley and give him a warning. He stood in line in hundred degree weather just to get me a poster of some pop star. “What’s so special about this guy? Am I not good looking enough for you?”
I giggled, hugging the poster. “Of course, you’re the best looking, big brother. The best!” Lucas tried to hide his smile. “You’re lucky I like you.”
This time around, my life felt like a dream. My parents spoiled me, my brother protected me. Their patience and love turned me into a different person. It was like the new name
–
they’d given me. Lucy – like a sunflower,
always reaching for the sun.
<
After graduation, I decided to follow in my
mom’s footsteps and become a doctor. Mom
was ecstatic and threw me a graduation party.
“It’s also your 18th birthday. We’ll have a big
celebration.”
In my past life, I was found on my 18th birthday. Janie acted like her world was falling apart. “Mom, Dad, Brother, are you not going to love me anymore now that Lucy is back?” Because of her tears, my welcome home party was canceled and turned into her coming–of–age ceremony. She wore a beautiful princess dress, and everyone sang happy birthday to her. I could only watch from the side, as they gave her presents. It seemed like no one
remembered it was my birthday too.
That night, I sneaked a piece of leftover cake from the fridge, carefully stuck in a candle, and folded my hands just like I saw Janie do. “I hope Mom, Dad, and Brother stay healthy-” But before I could finish my wish, the lights
<
flicked on.
“Janie was right.” Ethan came towards me and
kicked the cake out of my hands. “You didn’t
eat any at the party. What are you pretending
to be pitiful now? Is it because we didn’t throw
you a welcome home party?”
I instinctively tried to explain. My parents came downstairs too. “Does the Harrison family owe you a piece of cake? You really have no class.”
No matter what I did, they would always see me as small–minded and malicious. I tensed up at the memory. “What’s wrong, sweetie?” My adoptive mother touched my forehead. I shook my head, nestling closer to her and breathing in her comforting scent. “Why are you still so clingy at your age?”
I snuggled closer. “I’ll always be your little girl, Mom.”
く
