A Home That Wasn't Mine

Synopsis

To save my brother Bailey Hopkins, I was swept away by a flood. My family brought home another girl to fill the loss. Six years later, I regained my memories. I traveled across mountains and rivers from a remote village to find my way back home. My mother collapsed in tears. Bailey, and my childhood friend Jordan Webb, both reddened their eyes with emotion. Not wanting to put me in an awkward position, they sent the substitute daughter, Alaya Hopkins, away without hesitation. But later, when Alaya and I argued, Bailey and Jordan pushed me down the stairs to protect her. While I lay unconscious, I heard their voices. Bailey said, "Sometimes I think it would've been better if she had died six years ago." My mom said, "She's still your sister. She saved your life." Bailey said,"Don't you think the same? The one you truly accept is Alaya, isn't it?" My parents stayed silent. They didn't deny it and only said softly, "She's waking up. Stop talking." I opened my eyes slowly and asked in confusion, "Who are you?" If I wasn't welcome here, then everything could return to the beginning. After all, I never crossed mountains and rivers for their cheap affection. What I wanted was only a way out of the mountains.