“Mom’s a doctor now. Isn’t that amazing?”
Taylor whispered, “Do you want to see her?”
I shook my head.
“No. She can focus on her dream now. I can’t
get in her way.”
“My mom is going to be the best doctor in
the world.”
When Mom had walked down the hallway, I
started coughing.
I coughed up blood.
Everything went black. I collapsed into
Taylor’s arms.
“Riley!”
“Don’t do this to me!”
I wanted to answer, but I couldn’t open my
eyes.
They wheeled me away on a gurney.
The camera followed us.
We passed Mom in the hallway.
As she turned to look, a doctor blocked my
face.
But I heard Mom.
“What patient is that?”
<
“That’s a leukemia patient, poor kid. She’s in
the late stages. There isn’t much hope.”
Her voice was filled with sympathy.
“So young… what a waste.”
[Filming Record: February 14th, 2025]
“Happy Valentine’s Day, Riley!”
I took the stuffed animal bouquet from Taylor
and grinned.
“Thanks, Taylor!”
Then I stared at my phone, silent.
Taylor covered the screen with her hand.
“Don’t look at that.”
I shook my head.
“It’s okay. It doesn’t bother me.”
The camera zoomed in on the screen. It was
a photo of Mom and a girl.
The caption read:
“Spending Valentine’s Day with my daughter,
Emma.”
Taylor watched my eyes, trying to see if I was
lying.
I smiled.
ᄀ
“I know the girl Mom adopted. She used to be
in the hospital. An orphan, but people
donated money so she could be treated and she survived leukemia.”
“I’m happy for her, and I’m happy for Mom. They have each other. They won’t be alone
anymore.‘
“Emma is great. She’s smart and fun. I’m glad
she’s with Mom.”
Taylor hugged me.
“It’s okay to cry.”
After a moment, I burst out with everything I
had been trying to hold in.
Г
“Taylor, I’m so jealous. Why could she get
better? Why can she be with Mom? Why can’t
I…?”
[Filming Record: February 28th, 2025]
“Taylor, do I look okay?”
I checked my outfit in the mirror.
“You look great, Riley. You always look
great.”
Taylor put a wig on my head.
“Let’s go. The car’s waiting.”
The screen changed to a news conference.
I wore a mask, so only my eyes were visible.
I was standing in the crowd, trying not to be
seen.
On stage, Mom was talking about her
research.
After answering questions, the emcee asked,
“Dr. Chen, do you have any other comments?”
Mom paused. Her voice was cold.
“Riley, I know you’re watching this.”
“Your dad’s gone. You don’t have to hide
anymore. No one’s going to force you to do
anything.”
H
Taylor’s hand trembled.
She looked at me, worried.
“Are you okay?”
My eyes didn’t have the sadness she
expected.
“Taylor, did you notice that Mom’s gained
weight? She doesn’t look as tired as she used
to.”
“Emma must be taking good care of her. I
can stop worrying now.”
I smiled.
“Let’s give Mom the flowers and go.”
I handed the bouquet I had made to Mom’s
assistant.
“Please wait, we have a group photo with Dr.
Chen later.”
I paused, but I waited for it.
I stood at the edge of the group, as far from
Mom as possible.
In the car, I zoomed in on the photo.
Looking at Mom, and looking at myself.
“Riley, your mom blames you for Dad’s death.
Aren’t you angry?”
Taylor stared at me.
I touched Mom’s face on the phone and
shook my head.
“Mom doesn’t blame me.”
I closed out of the photo app and showed her
a bunch of texts.
[February 12th: Happy Holidays! I made your favorite egg dumplings. Come home!]
[February 18th: It’s getting cold. Take care of
yourself. Don’t get sick.]
[February 25th: I miss you so much. Are you
doing okay?]
Taylor stared.
I laughed through my tears.
“My mom loves me. She’s never blamed me,
even though I abandoned Dad.”
“She just wanted to trick me into coming home.”
“But I want Mom to hate me. Then she won’t
be so sad when I die.”
