Chapter 1

When I agreed to retake the SAT with my cousin, my parents finally gave a relieved smile.

They immediately booked us a trip abroad.

But they disappeared the next morning, leaving me alone in a foreign country.

That evening, my cousin posted a photo of my parents picking her up at the airport, captioned: [No matter the distance, the people who truly care will always find their way to you.]

I commented: [So happy for your family.]

What they didn't know was that I'd already been admitted to Quniston University.

*****

The clock on the wall was ticking away, second by second.

Then it struck midnight.

Staring at the blank Quniston University application, my parents broke into relieved smiles.

My cousin, Jocelyn Sampson, got a 700 on the SAT, and she threw a tantrum, demanding to retake.

Since I scored 1,500, my parents wanted me to retake with Jocelyn so I could help her study.

My father said, "Ruth, Jocelyn's still young. Retaking the SAT will do wonders for her. It's your responsibility to help her. You owe her that. If you agree, we'll take you on a trip overseas."

To make sure I didn't submit any applications behind their backs, my parents watched me like a hawk every day until the deadline finally passed. Only then did they relax.

They were so happy, didn't hesitate to keep their promise, and took me abroad right away.

But the very next morning, they were gone, leaving me all alone in a foreign country.

I tried calling, but their phones were off. I asked the front desk, and they told me my parents had already checked out.

It wasn't until I saw Jocelyn's post that I realized they'd ditched me and caught a red-eye flight back home without even telling me.

Huddled in the corner of the hotel room, I was gripped by a strange, inexplicable fear.

This was my first time ever traveling so far and my first time abroad. Before this, the furthest I'd ever gone was just 300 miles to Jocelyn's place.

Watching the crowds come and go, I just felt dazed.

Even after sitting in the hall for ages, I still couldn't wrap my head around the fact that my parents had abandoned me in a foreign country. I was their daughter.

Numbly, I made my way back to my room. Those few dozen steps felt like they'd drained every ounce of strength I had.

I collapsed onto the bed, staring blankly at the ceiling, tears soaking my pillow before I even realized it.

Once upon a time, I was the apple of my parents' eyes. But everything changed when Jocelyn came into our family at ten.

From that moment on, she became the center of their universe, and it was like I didn't even exist anymore.

I couldn't stand watching Jocelyn take all their love away from me, so I studied like my life depended on it.

From elementary to middle school and all the way through high school, everyone at school thought I was a star student. But no matter how high my grades were, it never got me even a hint of love from my parents.

I had no idea how long I'd been lying there when my phone suddenly rang. It was Mom.

I shot up in bed, but before I could even say a word, Mom started yelling at me. "Ruth, what's wrong with you? You know Jocelyn has depression, and you still deliberately upset her? She's your cousin. Is this how a big sister should act?"

I just sat there, totally stunned, not even sure what she was talking about.

Then Dad's voice came through, sounding annoyed. "Jocelyn sees you as family. That comment of yours pushed her over the edge. Now she's crying and her depression is flaring up."

Mom's voice was icy. "Apologize to Jocelyn right now. If something goes wrong with Jocelyn, don't expect us to ever call you our daughter again."

It was like a bucket of ice water had been dumped over my head, chilling me to the bone.

They didn't even care that I was stranded by myself in a foreign country. Did they even realize I was scared, lonely, and just wanted my parents around?

Just because Jocelyn shed a few tears, they threatened to disown me if I didn't apologize to her.

I was too drained to respond or even argue. Without thinking, I just ended the call.

Right then, my heart felt completely numb, like it had died inside.