When I was ten, I accidentally overheard my mother on the phone. It seemed like she was talking about me being a switched-at-birth rich girl, and that my real last name was Gardner. The coldness and cruelty my mother had shown me all these years suddenly made sense. When I turned 11, I paid an adult to get a maternity test done for both my mother and me. The results confirmed that I was indeed her biological daughter. I kept the report to myself and pretended I was still in the dark.
Lihat lebih banyakWhen I placed my ID on the counter to check in at the internet café, Becka Tanner, the owner, looked at me with surprise."Coco! You finally don't have to sneak around at night to use the internet anymore."The first time I met Becka was three years ago, late at night. My face bore the marks of my mother's nails, scratches from the slap she had given me. My arms were covered in bruises. I walked in and told her I needed to use the internet, but I wouldn't be able to pay her until a month later. Other internet café owners thought I was crazy, but I was determined. If it didn't work out, I would have no choice but to resort to drastic measures.But Becka didn't hesitate. She set me up in a private room. Later, I asked her if she wasn't afraid I was some ill-behaved girl who would do anything to get online. She said she'd been running the café for years, and could tell I wasn't that kind of person. "Plus, who would bring such a heavy backpack just to use the internet?" A mo
Once my thoughts settled, I noticed the way my mother was looking at me—her gaze now filled with increasing scrutiny. Suddenly, she dumped the contents of her bag onto the table. Among the things, she found the maternity test report. She yanked me in front of her. "Seven years ago? This report was from seven years ago," she said, her voice trembling. "You've known all along! You know everything, even about the nurse! Coco, why? Why didn't you tell me sooner? It's ruined. Everything's ruined. You could've had a better future."I leaned gently against the living room wall, my voice calm. "Mom, do you remember when I first ranked first in my grade? It was seven years ago." Back then, I already knew I was her biological daughter, but I held back my joy. I figured my mother must have been worried I wouldn't do well in school, which was why she wanted to swap me with the Gardners. I wanted to show her that I didn't need to be swapped out. So, I studied tirelessly, using my poc
The paternity test would take three days. During that time, Sadie took charge and had me stay with the Gardners. My mother, thinking it didn't matter, immediately agreed.Although it wasn't my first time at their home, I still couldn't help but feel in awe. The Gardners' house was huge, warm, and inviting. I almost could have lived here for 18 years. I sat awkwardly on the sofa, feeling the weight of three sets of eyes on me. Sadie, upon hearing that I might be her biological daughter, couldn't hold back the tears. "Aunt Sadie, don't cry. I'm sure Clarissa is your daughter." They had such a beautiful family. I tried to reassure them, unwilling to let them be upset. "See, she looks just like you and Uncle Jimmy. You can tell by her features." My words seemed to ease the tension, even if just a little. Sadie took my hand gently. "Coco, I heard you didn't fill out your university applications. Why?" she asked softly. "I heard from Clarissa that you did really well on you
By early June, the heat had already begun to settle.As the last stroke of my exam came to an end, my college entrance exams were finally over.Lately, my life had been quiet, mainly because my mother's entire focus was on Clarissa. She was more anxious about Clarissa's results than anyone else.Even though Clarissa didn't drink soup, my mother would still make her a pot every morning and send it over.When the exam results came out, Clarissa did well—there was no doubt she'd get into the best school in the city. Her scores could land her in an Ivy League school if she applied.This had been Clarissa's plan all along. She wanted to stay close to her family.When my mother got her hands on the results, her joy was overwhelming. Her cheekbones practically soared."Thank God. This is amazing! I knew it! I'm finally going to win!" she cheered as she paced around the house.But just as she was celebrating, there was a knock at our door. "Excuse me, is this Coco Strauss's residenc
The results from the third mock exams came back, and I handed my report card—stacked with fake low scores—to my mother for her signature. She didn't seem surprised; she must have gotten used to my failure by now."Ha, I knew it—you're a good-for-nothing," she scoffed. "And you still have the nerve to let Clarissa tell people you did well? Talk about thick skin. Having a daughter like you, I'd probably be better off if I just ended it all. Good thing you're not—"She stopped herself abruptly and spat a raisin onto me. I felt disgusted, but I dared not flick it away. If I did, my situation would only get worse."Later, I'm heading to Sadie's for dinner. You'd better wash the clothes and clean the floors. And don't forget to do the dishes," she ordered.I lowered my head, sinking deep into my thoughts. What would happen if my mother knew I was her real daughter? It wasn't long before she would find out. I smiled. I couldn't wait to see her reaction.Suddenly, I felt a sharp pain on
"Mom, next Wednesday is my birthday. Could you get me a dress?"My 18th birthday was coming, and I wanted to look presentable for once.My mother stood in the walk-in closet, trying on the custom-made gowns she had ordered.Each time she tried one on, she would compare it with a pink diamond-studded evening gown she had just had steamed and pressed.I knew that gown was for Clarissa Gardner."Here, what do you think? Does this go well with that one?"Her tone was light and cheerful, though she still ignored my request.I nodded."Mom, you look great in anything."That was true. She had striking features and took good care of herself.After all these years, she might have forgotten about the times she hit me, but she never skipped her morning runs.Unfortunately, her beauty had long since withered, like a flower whose roots had rotted away."Let's get ready. We'll go to the Gardners' for a visit."For the past 18 years, my mother had frequently visited the Gardners, claimin
"Mom, next Wednesday is my birthday. Could you get me a dress?"My 18th birthday was coming, and I wanted to look presentable for once.My mother stood in the walk-in closet, trying on the custom-made gowns she had ordered.Each time she tried one on, she would compare it with a pink diamond-studded evening gown she had just had steamed and pressed.I knew that gown was for Clarissa Gardner."Here, what do you think? Does this go well with that one?"Her tone was light and cheerful, though she still ignored my request.I nodded."Mom, you look great in anything."That was true. She had striking features and took good care of herself.After all these years, she might have forgotten about the times she hit me, but she never skipped her morning runs.Unfortunately, her beauty had long since withered, like a flower whose roots had rotted away."Let's get ready. We'll go to the Gardners' for a visit."For the past 18 years, my mother had frequently visited the Gardners, claimin...
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