My Mother Chose Her Ex's Daughter Over Me

e" had a daughter, an

e my struggles-my mother

mother and her "true love" somehow forgot to

ransom, warning that if she didn't p

fussing over her beloved's daughter. She s

p, my mother hun

r indifference, wasted no time. His fists c

agreed to that exchange! Usel

me, the overwhelming pain forcing me into a

slumped onto a chair, while his lackeys to

like that? You might as well be dead.

My mother's cold, heartless words ec

de. It was as if I were floating-my so

my phone ke

alling-again

it, but my hand pas

realized-I was

the hospital. There she was. My mother. She

Nolan Moore-sat with his daughter, Lucy

go right in," My mother said, smili

e. "I told you I was fine. You

ands. "I was just worried, sweet

his before. The mother I knew was

reluctantly went

eltering. Yet when the light passed throug

eath by kidnappers. And here she was-

drifte

business trip. My mother, in

at the mall, saving up for her birth

th a man. A girl-about my age-walked beside them,

it for you." My mother smiled as she reached out, t

't even use half of this stuff." The man besi

mouth, didn't even pretend to be g

new bag from

she was pointing at was right next

p and down. The

ight-and the moment she saw me,

t flyers? Are you trying to embarrass me? Have I not given

ashed out l

. My face burned with embarrassment, an

dad give me money, saying that too much

h, but if my mom found out, they would have a

s away on a business trip, I would have s

rs in my hand and f

ould finally buy the

t on her birthday, she woul

s gaze, I quiet

cy let out a

ding out flyers. The sun was r

into my eyes,

ly saved enough money a

I cooked a full meal a

was worth it. When Mom came home, she'd see everything, smi

idnight, and she sti

a birthday card on her bed

alf-asleep, I was startled aw

ed the

eyes. Without a word, she grabbed

nd struggled fre

at are y

pped me

life is on the line.

eact, she shoved

night. Soon, we arrived a

stayed frozen in my se

rom the mall. He and my m

ress, or she might die. You'll take her place for now

tying me up. Panic surged through me. I tried to

but her face was perfectly fine-rosy, he

aw us, relief fl

nd someone to replace me

oed in the em

let you swap her out, but if you don't pay up... Well

nto the chair and push

dn't believe it-my own mot

, but my mouth was gagged. All I c

my chest was

r hugged each other. Then, all three of the

basement. I felt numb all over. When my mom l

ver picked up. Meanwhile, I endured endless beatings. Finally, after

eaded, "Mom, please, save me

hear the sound of a hospita

ght now. Lucy has a doctor's appointment. It's not

ead. Another be

the pr

e out-Lucy was perfectly fine

out a rel

te Lucy's safe return, let'

em happily left

mom's pho

.

I'm busy with work?" My mother's

s voice came th

? She hasn't been a

e your daughter is? She's probably out having f

ly as she had when she ignore

knew I was already dea

caped my lips, la

at above, silently

le restaurant, a bottle of re

he deep red liquid

lar to the blood that had po

lan, give me the money you set aside for Lucy's ransom. I have some a

frow

n. Relax. They won't actually do anything

hesit

perfect chance! Let her suffer a little-it'll be a good lesson for h

r a moment, then

en too spoiled. She nee

when did you e

pirit, my h

scream, demand to know

uly thought abo

.

ther had been o

basement, rotted an

me home early from

a madman, turning the

urn home after my dad bo

ot back from a beauty treatment," she compla

h worry. "Have you even thought

ember me. A flicker of unease crossed her

stammered, "Eva... she... sh

her?" My dad's patience snapped. He pulled

lunged forward and snatched the phone fr

ice cr

lice... Eva... Eva

poke, the quie

into his eyes. "Moira Barker, what

om left out the part about exchanging me for Lu

to get the ransom money and told

The kidnappers had blocked

and rang, but n

nally set in. My mo

e my dad drove straig

ompletel

e basement. But it was hidden

illed with fury. "Moira, is this how you are

his words, her face

ff on her own, would she have gotten kidnapped? Oh, so now it's all my fa

jabbed a finger at her, took a deep breath, then

smacked the phone

d something happens to Eva

ming out-that she was the one who

ette after cigarette, his bloodshot

screen. She hesitated for a second before making

eatedly warned my dad n

did a

ot involved

hem straight

they found me. In the ba