During the earthquake, both my brother and my childhood sweetheart gave up on me. They chose to save the "biological" daughter first. Because of that choice, my right leg was crushed under the weight of the debris. As they carried me out of the ruins, I heard my fiancé give my brother a calm, cold command: "I’m planning to break off the engagement. I need to keep my distance. She’s your sister—you take care of her." "Like hell she is," my brother muttered, his voice dripping with reluctance. "My real sister is back now. Why is this outsider still hanging around our house, anyway?" They turned around then, quite by accident. When their eyes met mine, the air grew thick with an awkwardness they couldn't name. 01 The paramedic carrying my stretcher froze. He looked down at me, his brow furrowed. "I thought you said these were your family and friends?" "Why is he calling you an outsider?" "Who am I supposed to hand you over to?" The two men, who had been tossing me back and forth like a burden seconds ago, went silent. They turned in unison, their eyes locking onto mine. I saw a flicker of unease in their depths. They clearly hadn't expected me to be right behind them, hearing every word. I tried to speak, but the pain surged, and I blacked out before I could make a sound. 02 I was woken up by the muffled sound of voices outside my hospital room. "That poor girl. Her leg is shattered, and she’s been here since the surgery without a single visitor." "Well, honestly, it’s her own fault. I heard she was switched at birth. The real daughter is back now, yet she hasn’t made any move to leave. She’s practically asking to be treated like an outcast." "I guess you’re right..." I stared blankly at the heavy cast on my right leg. Strangely, it didn't hurt as much as it had that day. When I was trapped under the rubble and heard my brother Leo’s voice, I really thought I was going to be saved. "Don't waste time," he had told the rescuers. "Save my sister first." "She has severe claustrophobia. If she’s in there any longer, something will happen to her. I’m holding you responsible." The sister with claustrophobia was Maya—the biological daughter. The rescuer’s voice had been heavy with warning. "The family needs to be prepared. The woman trapped on the other side... there’s a high probability the collapsing wall will crush her legs if we wait." Leo paused. His voice dropped. "I... I understand." "But if I can only save one, what choice do I have?" A sliver of light had filtered through the cracks, hitting my leg where it was pinned between the jagged stones. In that moment, when the pain took my voice, my resentment toward Leo reached its peak. But now? I couldn't even summon the energy to be angry. Looking at it objectively, Leo wasn't "wrong." It was only natural to choose his blood relative. Leo was right. I should leave. Nothing is more pathetic than staying where you aren't wanted. 03 When Leo and the others finally came to see me, I was struggling to reach a heated pack on my nightstand. The IV fluids had left my hands ice-cold. Maya was at the front of the group. She skipped over to my bedside, looking bright and energetic. "Claire, is your leg really broken?" She stared at the cast with wide eyes, then let out a breath of relief, as if she had been the one to dodge a bullet. "I can't even imagine if that were me. I’d be crying every single day." "I’m so lucky... so lucky..." A sudden wave of exhaustion washed over me. I didn't care enough to figure out how much of her "relief" was actually malice. Leo stood the furthest away, his eyes constantly avoiding mine. He was clearly still reeling from the embarrassment of the other day. He wasn't like Asher, my fiancé. Asher’s expression was as cold as ever. He glanced at my injured leg, his brow twitching almost imperceptibly. He didn't speak for a long time. "Once you’re recovered," he finally said, "we need to talk." I blinked. I remembered what he said at the ruins. He wanted to break off the engagement. Those were the words he was hesitating to say out loud. Maya turned to look at him, her eyes trembling. "Are you having second thoughts?" Asher pressed his lips together. "Do you think I should hurt her a second time while she’s in this condition?" Maya looked down. A few seconds later, she whispered: "That’s not what I meant." "I’m a little tired. I’m going home. You two should stay and look after Claire." "It’s hard for her to do anything on her own." She finished her sentence in a small voice and ran out of the room. The faint sound of a sob lingered in the air. Leo glared at Asher like a protective wolf pup. "Asher." "How dare you make my sister cry?" Asher’s gaze followed Maya out the door, ignoring the warning. He simply dropped a heavy "Stay here and take care of her" before chasing after Maya. "Wait, what?" Leo stammered. He looked back at me, his body stiff, then scrambled after them. "Wait!" "I don't know how to take care of anyone!" "Don't leave me here alone with her!" His footsteps were so fast it was as if he were outrunning a plague. The hospital door remained half-open, swinging back and forth in the wind from the window. In an instant, the room was empty again. From beginning to end, no one had given me a chance to speak. I wanted to tell them I agreed to the breakup. I wanted to tell them I didn't need anyone to "stay" and look after me. In the week I’d been hospitalized, I had already learned how to take care of myself perfectly well. 04 No one came to see me again until the day I was discharged. The only contact I had was a phone call from my adoptive mother, Mrs. Sterling, right after my cast was removed. She sighed, her voice soft and persuasive. "Claire, don't blame Leo for choosing Maya. She’s his biological sister, after all, right? I hope this doesn't create a rift between you two." "I don't blame him, Mom. He didn't do anything wrong." "I knew you were the sensible one. Your father and I will pick you up when you’re discharged. We’re on a business trip right now, so we don't have time to visit, but please take care of yourself." As soon as she finished, Leo’s voice rang out in the background. "Mom! Who are you talking to? Hurry up!" "Let’s take a family photo before that person gets back." The silence on the line was so heavy I could hear the static of the connection. I spoke as if I hadn't heard a thing. "I understand, Mom. I’ll take care of myself." I heard a distinct sigh of relief from the other end. "Oh, good..." "I have to go. I have a meeting starting." The phone was hung up in a rush. It was late at night. I put my phone away and gripped the handrail, beginning another round of physical therapy. In the silent hospital corridor, I was the only one dragging a withered leg, moving forward one tiny, agonizing step at a time. Half an hour later, drenched in sweat, I let out a small smile. I walked two meters further than yesterday. 05 No one came to pick me up the day I left the hospital. Luckily, I wasn't waiting for anyone anymore. As soon as I walked through the front door with my suitcase, I realized my timing was terrible. The four Sterlings and Asher were having a celebratory steak dinner. My appearance shattered the warm, happy atmosphere. Every face held a different expression, but none of them were positive. The only sound in the room was the sizzle of the grill. Mrs. Sterling recovered first, forcing a smile. "Claire... you’re back. You should have called..." "You haven't eaten, have you? Come, sit down and join us." The air was thick with the smell of heavy seasoning. My wound seemed to throb in sympathy. I didn't feel the need to act out my grievances like I used to. I didn't point out that no one actually cared, or that no one remembered I was supposed to avoid heavy spices while healing. I didn't want to be the one to ruin their night. I just said: "No thanks, Mom. I ate before I came." "I’m going to my room to pack." ... Later that evening, in my adoptive father’s study. He tapped his fingers rhythmically on the mahogany desk. "You’re leaving?" I nodded. "I have a flight booked for next week." "Please don't tell Mom and the others yet." I chose to tell Mr. Sterling because he was the most distant person in the house. He wouldn't be swayed by sentimentality, and he wouldn't offer any hollow words of "staying" to make things difficult. He didn't try to stop me. "It’s for the best." "You can see for yourself. This family has become unrecognizable because of your presence." "Once you leave, don't contact your mother or the others. Let’s have a clean break." I promised him I would never appear before them again. He looked at me with surprise for a few seconds, but said nothing. 06 The suffocating weight in my chest suddenly vanished. I felt an incredible sense of lightness. I walked out of the villa, just wanting to breathe in the night air. A familiar roar sounded not far away. "Asher, you motherf***er, you ditched me again!" "You take Maya out on a date and leave me alone to face her? Are you even human?" "I’m so done... why did she even come back? Doesn't she know how awkward she makes everyone feel?" Leo hung up the phone with a violent gesture. He turned around and ran straight into my gaze. His furious expression shifted instantly into something unreadable. As we stood there in a deadlock, a car began speeding toward the curb. Leo was standing right on the edge of the road, oblivious. Years of habit kicked in. I stepped forward instinctively and yanked him back. The car honked twice and sped past. I exhaled, feeling no desire to speak to him. I let go of his arm and turned to walk away. Leo hesitated for two seconds, then followed me. "Uh, Claire... thanks..." I nodded slightly but didn't say a word. Leo stammered for a while, then suddenly grabbed my hand. "I’m sorry..." he blurted out, sounding defeated. "I shouldn't have said those things about wanting you gone. You know how I am. I say things I don't mean. I never actually wanted you to leave..." I tilted my head, looking at the boy whose face still held a trace of childhood innocence. "I know." "So... are we good?" Leo was still being awkward, his ears turning red. I pulled my wrist away. I didn't answer his question. Instead, I said: "Can you let go? Holding my hand like this makes me uncomfortable." Leo froze and let go. His shocked expression was tinged with a hint of hurt. Ever since we were kids, that was how he had always held my hand. I didn't know when it happened, but I was no longer comfortable with his proximity. 07 Just as I was about to leave, a convertible Aston Martin pulled up in front of us. Maya was in the passenger seat, her eyes darting between me and Leo. She spoke to Leo. "Leo, how old are you? Still following us around?" "Get in." "This is the last time, though." "Next time, we’re really leaving you behind." Leo didn't move. He frowned. "Maya, wipe your mouth first." Following his gaze, I noticed the smudged lipstick on Maya’s lips. Asher, sitting beside her, had a faint trace on the corner of his mouth as well. Maya’s ears turned red. She looked into the rearview mirror, reapplying her lipstick while complaining: "I told you not to kiss me so hard." "How embarrassing." I looked at Asher and unexpectedly caught his eye. The next second, he looked away. He tapped his fingers on the steering wheel, asking Leo impatiently: "Are you coming or not?" Leo didn't snap back like he usually did. He grabbed my hand again and said in a low voice: "You guys go ahead." "I don't want to intrude. I’m going home with Claire." Before I could react, he was already leading me away. Maya suddenly called out to me. "Wait, Claire. Asher has something to tell you." She poked Asher’s shoulder affectionately, a bright smile on her face. "Now that she’s out of the hospital." "You can say it." I looked at Asher quietly, waiting for him to bring up the breakup. The man kept his eyes lowered. It was a long time before he spoke. "How is your physical therapy going?" Maya’s smile froze on her lips. I paused. "It’s going well." Asher gave a short nod, shifted into gear, and drove away. He still hadn't mentioned it. Inappropriately, I remembered a nurse telling me during my hospital stay that a very tall, handsome man had come to watch me sleep twice. Belatedly, I realized it must have been Asher. 08 Asher kept delaying it. But at dinner the next night, Mrs. Sterling brought it up. Asher was sitting next to Maya. He looked up sharply, clearly caught off guard. Mrs. Sterling looked at me persuasively. "This marriage was always meant for Maya." "Be a good girl and give it back to her. I’ll find someone else for you." I picked up a piece of greens and put it in my bowl. "Okay, Mom. Whatever you want." My indifference caught everyone at the table by surprise. It was as if they hadn't expected me to agree so easily. Mrs. Sterling’s expression softened. She smiled. "You’ve become so much more sensible since you got back." I lowered my head and ate, saying nothing more. I had simply realized my place. I no longer viewed them as family. I saw myself as an outsider who owed them for my upbringing, and I had placed myself accordingly. I had no reason to be resentful. After dinner, I passed Maya’s room with a glass of water. The door was ajar. She was hugging Mrs. Sterling’s waist, acting spoiled. "Mom, you can't find a good match for Claire." "She’s lived a charmed life for twenty-one years on my behalf. She needs to suffer a little." "She owes me this." Mrs. Sterling’s hand, stroking the back of Maya’s head, faltered. "Claire is an orphan. She was abandoned at the hospital. It was the nurse’s mistake that you were switched." "She’s innocent, too..." Maya looked up from her lap. "So I deserve to have suffered all those years?" "I’m not asking her to pay back every cent this family spent on her for twenty years. I’m not even kicking her out." "I just want her to face a little hardship, to balance the scales. Are you really going to protect her over me?" Her voice broke into a sob at the end. Maya pushed her away and buried her face in the bed, crying harder. Mrs. Sterling rushed to comfort her. "Okay, okay. I promise." "Mr. Vance’s son is the biggest playboy in the city. I’ll set him up with Claire, okay?" "Don't cry, sweetheart." I looked away and didn't listen to the rest. I went downstairs and put my glass on the counter. The ice had mostly melted. I looked at my hand. My palm was pale and numb from holding the cold glass for too long. I only just noticed.
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