A fake poverty that my parent build for me novel

C01 On the twentieth New Years Eve of my life , my parents were too busy working to spend the holiday with me .

Or so I thought .

I went out alone to watch the fireworks , trying to convince myself that I didnt mind the solitude .

But then , in the glowing neon of the city , I saw them .

Mom and Dad .

Not alone .

They were with another girl .

Taking her out for seafood .

Buying her a million dollar necklace .

Gifting her a Lamborghini sports car .

I stood frozen as I watched them dote on her , their eyes filled with warmth , with pride , with love the kind of love I had never known .

Celline , youre closer to us than our own daughter , Mom said , her voice trembling with emotion .

Our favorite child , Dad added , his eyes filled with affection .

Then Celline turned to me , her lips curling into a knowing , taunting smile .

The baked sweet potatoes in my hands suddenly lost their warmth .

The scent , once sweet and comforting , turned bitter .

I glanced down at my own worn out clothes , all adding up to less than a hundred dollars and an overwhelming sourness filled my chest .

*** I ran home as if fleeing for my life , dived under my covers and sobbed until my body ached .

In a fit of anguish , I grabbed my only teddy bear and threw it across the room .

It landed in the corner , silent and abandoned .

Just like me .

That teddy bear was the only gift I had ever received in twenty years my eighth birthday present , stitched by my mothers own hands .

I used to hold it close every night , feeling the warmth of every thread , every stitch she had sewn , each one a testament to her love .

I remembered how she stayed up late , sewing by dim light , skipping meals , her fingers pricked and bleeding .

I cherished that bear because I knew how much she had suffered to make it for me .

So I never asked for anything else .

From elementary school , I picked up bottles on my way home to earn a few cents .

In high school , I survived on plain white rice with water , ate the cheapest vegetarian meals and wore clothes patched up for another year even when they were falling apart .

People laughed at me , mocked me .

But I didnt care .

Were poor , my parents always said .

If we can save a little , we should save a little .

But tonight , I realized something .

They werent poor at all .

They had just been saving everything for her .

C Celline , their canary in a golden cage , basking in endless luxury while I starved on scraps .

I didnt sleep a wink .

My pillow was soaked with tears , my heart hollowed out by betrayal .

A Fake Poverty that My Parent Build for Me Little Feather , wake up .

The sun is already on your ass ! Mom and Dads voices rang out , as if nothing had happened .

I wiped my tears away and stepped out of my room .

There they were , dressed in their usual shabby clothes , their expressions filled with warmth and familiarity .

Se For a moment , I felt disoriented .

As if what I saw last night had been just a cruel dream .

Little Feather , we brought you some food from work , Mom said , handing me a lunchbox .

All prawns and crabs , your favorite ! In the past , I would have squealed with joy , kissed her cheek and rushed to heat up some rice .

But this time , I stayed still .

I remembered how , just yesterday , they took her out for seafood .

How many years had I been eating her leftovers without realizing it ? Look , sugar cookies ! Especially sweet , just like my good daughter .

Dad grinned , pulling out a handful of cookies from his pocket .

I had always treated these cookies like treasures , eating them slowly , savoring the warmth they represented .

Now , all I could think was Celline probably didnt want them , so they gave them to me instead .

Noticing my silence , Mom wrapped an arm around me , her fingers brushing my cheek .

Little Feather , youre acting strange today .

Her eyes scanned my face , her brows furrowing .

Why are your eyes so red ? Are you sick ? Sick ? I had cried all night .

My eyes were swollen , my vision still blurry .

Lets go , Im taking you to the hospital .

Dad didnt even sit down .

He hadnt taken a sip of hot tea before he was already moving , already worried .

They had always been like this .

Always caring .

Always gentle .

I remembered another winter night , years ago .

I had a fever and the cold rain poured outside .

My dad had carried me on his back and ran through the storm to the hospital .

I never got wet .

But he was drenched to the bone , shivering from the cold , yet still whispering , Are you feeling better ? Does it hurt ? I had loved that man with all my heart .

That same man who had deceived me for twenty years .