chapter 5
504 Words
I asked him, "Will we celebrate birthdays together in future?"
He nodded. "We will."
I thought our relationship might deepen, until his fiancée found me.
"I thought he was some big shot, but turns out he's a cripple! If he fancies himself a third wheel, he ought to take a good look in the mirror first!"
"I'm his fiancée. My father's the mayor, my mother runs the city hospital. What have you got? A cripple stuck in a wheelchair for life!"
Shocked and furious, I confronted John.
"Why didn't you tell me you had a fiancée? I never wanted to get involved in your relationship."
Truth be told, I had feelings for John, but I wouldn't stoop to ruining someone else's relationship.
"My parents arranged this marriage. I don't like her. Ye Chloe, you've always been the one I've loved."
"So what? Does saying that change anything? Would you betray your parents for me?"
"Life is full of compromises. If you can't change it, accept it. Be good to her."
He remained silent. I turned my wheelchair and left. Let's just call it stolen happiness.
As graduation approached, I secured an internship at a company. The six thousand yuan salary would allow me to gradually repay my loans.
One day, a stranger appeared at the company entrance. Spotting me, she rushed forward and embraced me.
"Chloe, it's Mum."
"My darling daughter, you've suffered so much."
Facing that face bearing six parts my likeness, I didn't doubt her identity.
Besides, my uncle stood right beside her.
"Chloe, your mother knew you worked here and came especially to see you."
Mum wept like a child, recounting that year's events all the way.
"Your father and I were in dire straits back then. We had no choice but to leave you with your grandmother—it was for survival."
"Your leg... it's because Mum couldn't manage. Mum's so sorry."
She didn't know that at five, I already had memories.
Grandma often told me Mum and Dad weren't married when they had me.
Uncle comforted Mum while saying:
"Chloe, now Mum's found you. Transfer your household registration over and live properly with her."
"Come on, come home with Mum."
Watching them take turns to persuade me, I simply replied flatly:
"It's alright. I'm perfectly fine living on my own."
My mother grew agitated.
"What do you mean 'it's alright'? I'm your mother! Who else would you want to live with?"
"I'm an orphan. I have no parents. You've got the wrong person."
I hailed a taxi by the roadside and walked away without looking back.
"Young lady, someone's chasing you. Shall I stop?"
I glanced back to see my mother sprawled on the pavement, tears streaming down her face, my uncle supporting her.
"It's alright. Let's go."
The driver urged me throughout the journey to talk things through, not to quarrel with my mother.
"Driver, what if you'd abandoned your daughter at birth and only now claimed you wanted to take her home?"
Silence fell in the cab.
- Writer
