Chapter 2

After leaving the wedding venue, I went straight to the hospital.

Malaria is somewhat contagious, and even though the virus was completely cleared, I still needed to check into the hospital daily for a while, reporting my physical condition.

Dr. Liam Smith, my attending physician who returned with me, saw my constant silence and thought I was homesick.

He comforted me, saying I could go home after my blood was drawn.

But he couldn't have known that from today, I no longer had a home.

As I stepped out of the blood draw room, my phone started ringing furiously.

It was my dad, whom I hadn't heard from in ages.

The moment I answered, his furious roar filled my ears:

"Skylar, what exactly did you mean by that comment under the video? Were you doing it on purpose?!"

"Do you know that because of your comment, Tiffany has been crying her eyes out? She's your sister, why are you so intent on seeing her unhappy?"

I looked at my emaciated reflection in the mirror, then recalled the dazzling Tiffany at the wedding, and let out a bitter laugh:

"What's wrong with the comment? Didn't I already wish them well? What? Do you want me to send them a lavish wedding gift too?"

"Dad, just tell me the truth. Is Tiffany your biological daughter, and I'm the one you adopted, right?"

He seemed surprised by my words, and the breathing on the other end of the line hitched.

Immediately after, the phone was snatched away, and my mom's voice came through:

"Skylar, you're misunderstanding your sister. That wedding was just to make her happy, they didn't even get a marriage license, so it doesn't count."

"After all, your sister stayed behind to help you hold off the creditors, that's why she couldn't come with you. You should be thanking her!"

At this very moment, my biological parents were still lying to themselves.

Thinking of the truth I'd witnessed at the hotel entrance just moments ago, my heart felt like it was being squeezed, making it hard to breathe.

After a long while, I spoke with self-mockery:

"Thank her for stealing my family's affection and my love?"

Hearing my sarcasm, my dad's angry growl erupted again:

"You ungrateful wretch! Everything your mother and I do is for your own good, and you dare speak to us like that?!"

"I'm telling you, if you don't apologize to Tiffany, you can stay in Africa forever and never come back! I'll pretend I never had a daughter like you!"

With that, the phone was slammed down.

Tears streamed uncontrollably down my face.

Before, I always thought my parents didn't know my true plight in Africa, which was why they were so cold and heartless.

But when I got off the plane today, I learned that news of the malaria epidemic in Africa had long reached home.

Even a five-year-old knows how terrifying malaria is.

They simply didn't care if I lived or died.

As long as their favorite daughter was safe and sound, that was enough for them.

Ever since Tiffany came into their lives, my dad's company crisis not only resolved smoothly but also thrived.

From then on, my dad became convinced she was the Stone family's lucky charm, and his affection for her far surpassed what he showed me, his biological daughter.

Anything Tiffany set her sights on, I had to give up unconditionally.

When we were little, it was rooms, dolls, and princess dresses. When we grew up, it became my fiancé.

They were willing to trick me with an absurd lie about bankruptcy and send me far away, all to prevent me from ruining Tiffany's romance.

Africa's environment was harsh, with scarce food and drinking water.

But even more terrifying was the omnipresent virus.

It wasn't until I contracted malaria and had several near-death experiences that I truly understood what fear was.

Recalling the moments when I desperately fought for survival, only to be repeatedly rejected by my closest relatives, a surge of intense rage filled my heart.

Even if it killed me, I would never apologize to Tiffany!