Mom, Don't Turn Back for Me

I'm nine years old when I secretly contact my mom Lori Parker's family to get her out of the remote village. When my grandpa, Richard Parker, bursts into the cellar, he finds Mom chained by the neck, with a whip stained with dried, dark blood lying at her feet. Overwhelmed with rage, Grandpa beats my dad, Bruce Fraser, until he is almost dead, vomiting blood repeatedly. Dad is left paralyzed and bedridden for the rest of his life. Just before getting into the car, Mom cries and reaches out to me. "Amy, I'm taking you home!" My eyes sting as I clutch the hem of her clothes, but then memories of my past life come rushing back. Her family turns against her because she protects a bastard like me. She endures their contempt and humiliation and eventually dies of illness alone in a rented room. If she takes me with her, she will never forget this nightmare. I dig my nails into my palm and push her away. "Get lost! Dad only brought you into this family because he wanted a child. I never loved you!" The car door slams shut. I finally break down and run after it, tears streaming down my face. But I don't dare call out "Mom". I'm afraid that if she hears me, she'll turn back. Chapter 1 After my mom, Lori Parker, was taken back home, I was left to fend for myself, roaming the village and scavenging for scraps. I had to live off wild fruits year after year. Ultimately, I risked everything to escape that hellhole. 18 years later, I unexpectedly ran into Mom in the hospital hallway while I was there for a follow-up appointment. As soon as we locked eyes, I lowered my gaze in a panic and tried to walk away, but Mom rushed over and gripped my frostbitten hand. "What? You can't even look me in the eye? Are you too ashamed to face me?" A shiver ran through me, and I curled my fingers. Mom's palm was so warm. The last time I'd felt that sensation was when I'd shielded her with my own body, trembling all over as Dad beat me. I slowly pulled my hand away. "You've mistaken me for someone else." Mom snorted and stepped closer. "Amy Fraser, I'd know you anywhere." Her eyes narrowed as she gave my faded, worn-out clothes a once-over. A complex emotion flickered on her face. "So this chance encounter after 18 years isn't a coincidence, is it? Tell me. Why did you track me down? What do you want from me?" I shoved my hands into my pockets and dug my fingernails hard into my palms. "I came to see a doctor. I didn't know you were here." It was obvious that Mom didn't believe me. Her tone turned even frostier. "The registration fee alone at this private hospital is 100 dollars. Can a country bumpkin like you afford the medical care here?" She stared into my eyes, as if waiting for me to lower my head in shame or beg her for money like a beggar. Honestly, I was only here for a free clinical trial for stomach cancer patients. There was no point in arguing with her, so I turned to go. A man in a suit walked over and handed Mom a document. "Ms. Parker, I need your approval on the minutes from this afternoon's meeting." Mom scanned through the document and said unhappily, "Do I really have to point out such a rookie mistake?" The man nodded repeatedly and stepped aside, his head lowered. Mom was sidetracked by the interruption and said coldly, "Stay right here. Don't go anywhere." Only then did she turn to her secretary and go over her schedule. From what I overheard, Mom hadn't been feeling well after working nonstop for days, so she'd checked herself into the hospital to rest. And apparently, there was talk of a marriage with the Litt family. I quietly stepped aside, giving her space as she firmly reprimanded her subordinates. Mom's flawless makeup and perfectly styled hair gave her an unmistakable air of authority. I stared at the floor and smiled to myself. The movement tugged painfully at my cracked lips. I knew I'd made the right decision. Mom had finally become the bright, confident woman she used to be without me being her burden. I turned away. She had asked me to stay, but I didn't. I walked toward the consulting room at the far end and knocked on the door. It opened from the inside, and a tall figure in a white coat came into view. My breath hitched when I realized that, of all people, it was Simon Litt—the ex-boyfriend I had heartlessly abandoned. Chapter 2 It was an unlucky day for me. I was bumping into everyone I didn't wish to meet. Simon wore a neat white coat, with an attending physician's badge pinned to his chest. He looked much more mature than he had two years ago. I lowered my head and turned to the side, trying to slip away. "Excuse me, I'm looking for Dr. Horton." Simon pressed his hand against the doorframe, blocking my path. "Dr. Horton was urgently reassigned elsewhere. I'm handling his patients for now." He stared at me, his eyes dark and unreadable. "You just vanished without a trace. Amy, I never agreed to the breakup." I squirmed under his gaze as a wave of guilt washed over me. I replied, "It's over between us, Dr. Litt." Simon ignored my words, reaching out to pull me into the room. "Let's get the basic check-up done. You look terrible." With that, he turned to fetch the blood pressure monitor. I knew him well. He was very stubborn and wouldn't back down until he got his way. If I refused to cooperate, I probably wouldn't be leaving any time soon. So I gave up resisting and rolled up my sleeve, revealing my arm dotted with needle marks of all sizes, old crisscrossing lash scars, scars from dog bites, and calluses from the years I'd spent surviving alone in the mountains. Simon froze, his gaze fixed intently on those marks. "How did you get through all those years after you pushed her away? Amy, you sacrificed so much for her. Was it really worth it?" I tried to cover up those unsightly scars. "It's all in the past now." With red-rimmed eyes, Simon strapped the blood pressure cuff around my arm. "Has your injury gotten better? Does it hurt anywhere else?" Suddenly, my stomach churned, and that familiar, wrenching pain washed over me. I turned my head and covered my mouth as I coughed. The cough soon turned into a violent coughing fit, and fresh blood seeped through my fingers. Simon's expression changed. He dropped whatever he was holding and hurriedly grabbed my shoulders. Then he pulled out a handful of tissues and pressed them into my hands. "What's going on? Amy, tell me the truth." I took the tissues and wiped the blood from the corner of my mouth, averting my gaze. I couldn't hide the truth anymore. "It's stomach cancer." Simon went still. The office was so quiet that the only sound was his heavy breathing. After a long while, he finally spoke in a hoarse voice. "Is that why you left without a word two years ago? Who gave you the right to make that decision for me? Do you really think I'm someone who can't endure hardships with you? I wish you'd relied on me just once. I wish you'd let me face this with you!" My eyes stung. I remained silent. When I was first diagnosed, the doctor told me I had less than a year to live. Simon was at a crucial point in his career then, and I didn't want to hold him back. After all, I couldn't even save myself. How could I drag him into the abyss with me? But I never expected to live for another two years. Simon took a deep breath and called the inpatient department on the landline. "Arrange a private room for me right now." I supported myself using the desk and stood up. "I'm not staying here. I don't have the money to pay for it." Simon turned to look at me, gritting his teeth. "Don't worry about that. If you dare walk out that door today, I'm going to follow you everywhere." I felt sorry for making Simon shoulder a hopeless mess like me all over again. But Mom was different. I would rather have her hate me than leave her with even the slightest reason to worry about me. I reluctantly followed the nurse to my room, and by some strange coincidence, it happened to be directly across from Mom's. I changed into a hospital gown and lay in bed with an IV drip running. Not long after, the door opened. Mom walked in, her expression frosty. She had probably heard from the nurse that Simon had personally arranged a room for me and even waived my deposit. Mom had always been suspicious by nature. She probably assumed I was taking advantage of Simon's compassion to win him over. "You're quite the schemer, aren't you? You're actually putting on a pitiful act to win over Dr. Litt." I leaned against the pillow, trying to suppress the bitterness in my chest. "I'm just here for treatment." Mom stared at me for a few seconds before lowering her voice. "Just a heads-up. Dr. Litt is the man I've chosen for my daughter to marry." Chapter 3 "Stay away from him." My fingers, curled around the blanket, went stiff. So that was it. "Okay." Mom sneered and crossed her arms over her chest. "Who are you putting on that act for? Do you think this will make me pity you and acknowledge you as my daughter?" I watched the IV fluid drip down the tube, my voice raspy. "I never expected that from you. The moment I pushed you away 18 years ago, I never intended to see you again." Mom's expression darkened as disgust appeared on her face. "Don't even mention those horrible days to me! If it weren't for that scumbag father of yours, I wouldn't have suffered for so many years. You have his blood running through your veins. Just looking at you disgusts me." I fell silent, and even my breath slowed down. She had every right to hate me. If Dad hadn't kept her there, she would have lived a carefree, happy life. I was the only reminder of her humiliating past. I lowered my voice. "If you don't want to see me, I…" "Amy!" Mom was somehow angered by my attitude, and her chest heaved. "Don't put on that holier-than-thou act in front of me! You're obviously here to get money from me. Name your price and get out of here! I don't want to see you around." I stared blankly at the ceiling. Even though she was harsh with me, I knew she was trying to give me some money in her own way so I could afford my treatment. "I don't want your money. I'll leave after a few days." Mom gave me a long look before storming out and slamming the door shut behind her. I closed my eyes. A dull ache had started in my stomach again. That afternoon, a nurse sent me to the treatment room at the end of the hallway to receive my medication. I slowly made my way back, carrying a plastic bag. A young woman came toward me. She was dressed in a designer coat and was carrying a limited-edition handbag. She stopped in front of me and gave me a once-over, her eyes filled with undisguised contempt. "Are you Amy Fraser?" I halted in my tracks and looked at her. "Who are you?" She sneered and lifted her chin proudly. "I'm Lori's daughter, Rhea Parker. I'm warning you. Don't even dream of joining our family. Mom will never accept you. She has finally moved on from what happened back then. I won't let you hurt her again!" Rhea protected Mom like a mother bear protecting a cub, and it stirred a strange ache in my heart. But more than anything, I was relieved. It was a good thing. Mom now had a daughter who loved her with all her heart. She didn't need a bastard like me anymore. "Okay," I replied softly and stepped around Rhea, trying to get back to my room. Rhea thought I was brushing her off and angrily caught up with me, deliberately slamming into me. The impact sent me crashing to the ground. The plastic bag fell from my grasp, and I cut my hand in the fall. Rhea looked at my bleeding hand and smiled smugly. "This is what you get for refusing to take a hint. Amy, you need to know your place." Then she crouched down and leaned in. "Don't try to use your illness to manipulate Mom." "Rhea, why are you making such a scene?" Mom hurried over, her gaze shifting between us as her brows furrowed. Rhea was quick to play the victim. She stepped forward, linking her arm through Mom's. "Mom, I saw her hanging around outside your room. I was worried she was up to no good. I only wanted to ask what she was doing. She lost her balance and fell, but now she's trying to make it look like I pushed her." Mom didn't respond. She looked down at the back of my bleeding hand, her frown deepening. I braced myself against the wall and slowly stood up, keeping my head down without saying a word. I didn't want to put her in a bind. My silence seemed to embolden Rhea, and she tightened her grip on Mom's arm. Mom's gaze shifted to the security camera above my head. She immediately shook Rhea's hand off her arm. "What do you think you're doing, causing a scene like this here? How old are you? Why are you still pulling these childish tricks? Apologize to her." Rhea's eyes widened. "Mom, I'm your daughter! Why are you defending her?" Mom's voice hardened, her gaze fixed on my bleeding hand. "I only go by the facts. Tell her you're sorry." Chapter 4 Rhea gritted her teeth, biting back her anger. Eventually, she forced out an apology. I ignored her, bending down to pick up the things scattered across the floor and putting them back into the plastic bag. Then I turned to head back to my room. Simon walked out, holding several newly released lab reports. He glanced at Mom and Rhea coldly. "If you have a problem, take it outside. My patient needs to rest. Please don't disturb her again." Rhea's expression changed, and her voice softened. "Simon—" "Miss Parker, please call me Dr. Litt." Mom's gaze landed on me briefly before she asked, "Is she—" Simon cut her off. "Please leave if there's nothing else." Mom fell silent. She gave me a long look before telling Rhea coldly, "Let's go." Silence returned to the hallway. Simon glanced at the gash on the back of my hand and sighed. He led me into his office, opened the instrument tray, and cleaned the wound. "Why didn't you fight back?" "I didn't have the strength, and besides, I didn't find the need to do that. She was just trying to protect Mom." Simon paused, his eyes filled with sadness. I watched him carefully bandage my wound. Trying to choke back my sob, I said, "You'll be marrying Rhea soon, right? Congratulations." Simon looked up at me in astonishment. "I never said yes to that." He finished dressing my hand, then turned to the last page of the lab reports, his voice gentler now. "Don't overthink it, okay? You're the only one I want. Your white blood cell count is low. You might develop a fever tonight. If you need anything, press the call button. Don't try to tough it out on your own again." I nodded and returned to my room. But deep down, I knew I had to let him go for good. That evening, the nurses' station was ringing nonstop. With all the nurses on duty called away, the hallway was deserted. Suddenly, a loud bang came from Mom's room. I stopped in front of the half-open door, but in the end, I couldn't resist going inside. Mom was struggling to adjust the IV tubing on her right arm with her left hand. The IV fluid had almost completely run out, and blood was rushing back up the tubing. She fumbled with the line, only making the backflow worse. Irritation flashed across her face. I walked over and pinched the lower section of the tubing. With a push of my thumb, I snapped the flow regulator shut, and the backflow stopped. I readjusted the settings. After that, I took a soft cushion from the cabinet and tucked it into the space behind Mom. The whole process took me less than a minute. Mom leaned against the cushion, looking at my hand with a complicated expression. "How do you know how to do all this?" "I learned how to do it a long time ago." Mom's expression softened. She cleared her throat and awkwardly rubbed the edge of her blanket. "Amy, since you helped me, if you're… willing to admit you were wrong, I might give you a chance." A sharp pain spread through my stomach at that moment, and my vision blurred. I couldn't collapse in front of Mom, so I said, "I'm leaving." I kept my head down and hurried out, trying my best to fight through the immense pain. Mom cried out from behind me, her voice raised. "If you walk out now, you won't get another chance!" I couldn't muster a response. I just walked along the wall, trying my best not to sway as cold sweat trickled down my forehead. I bumped into Rhea at the corner of the hallway as she was returning with dinner. Her eyes locked onto the plastic bag in my hand that contained the shattered pieces of the thermos I had picked up from the floor in Mom's room earlier. "Stop right there." Rhea grabbed my arm, her eyes fierce. "You snuck out of my mom's room. What's that in your hand? Did you steal something? Come with me to the security office!" By now, the pain was so intense that even breathing was challenging, and my vision kept going black. "Let go…" My voice was so faint that I could barely hear it myself. Not only did Rhea not let go, but she also gripped my arm even tighter. "I knew a pathetic pauper like you would be up to no good. I have to show Mom your true colors today so she won't go soft on you!" My legs gave way, and I slumped down. I clutched Rhea's sleeve and pleaded, "Please let go… Let me leave…" Rhea shoved me against the wall. "Cut your act! You're trying to flee after I caught you red-handed? Dream on!" My back slammed hard against the tiled wall. A loud ringing filled my head as my consciousness slowly faded. I suddenly spat out a large mouthful of blood. My body went limp, and I slid down the wall. Seeing me collapse, Rhea was shocked and took a step back. Her hands froze in midair. "Hey, don't play dead. I'm not buying it!" Hearing the commotion, Mom came out and immediately spotted me lying on the floor, my eyes tightly shut and my face drenched in cold sweat. Her face paled. "Amy, what's wrong?"