1

663words2026-01-26 11:24

"Sophia, it’s almost been one year. When should we come for you?"
"Well, if you’re not ready to leave, we respect your will…"
Music and flattering chatter rose from the victory celebration downstairs as Sophia dialed her bio-brother, James Harrison.

Sophia had lived with the Thompson family for over a decade.
Mr and Mrs Thompson had discovered Sophia wasn’t their bio-daughter.
Since the Thompson family had treated her well, Sophia refused her much wealthier bio-parents from the Harrisons.
Both families agreed that Sophia would stay with the Thompsons for one more year.
Within the year, the Thompsons adopted Lily who bore a resemblance to their deceased bio-daughter.
Everything changed after Lily came.

The Thompsons started overlooking Sophia while cherishing Lily.
Lily even stole Sophia’s painting, winning award in an art competition.
Sophia told the truth, only to get accused of being spoiled and entitled by the Thompsons.
Sophia was branded a plagiarist and forced to apologize to Lily publicly.

Heartbroken, she decided to return to her brother by blood,
"James, I’ve worked out the timing. Come for me in seven days."
"Sophia, it is you who plagiarized Lily’s painting, isn’t it?"
"Lily told us but asked us not to mention it to spare your feelings."
"Not only did you omit her kindness, you’re claiming the work is yours?! You really disappoint me!"
Mrs Thompson looked at Sophia with profound disappointment etched onto her meticulously made-up face.
"Lily is generous and kind. She doesn’t mind your repeated provocations, but I can’t accept what you’ve become."
Ethan was shielding Lily behind him. His eyes, once filled with adoration for Sophia as her brother, now burned with disgust.
"Lucian, do you also believe Lily?"
"That painting was your birthday gift! I’ve worked on it for three months!"
"And Lily stole it for the competition…"
Sophia’s gaze desperately landed on Lucian, her eldest brother who hadn’t spoken yet.
For as long as she could remember, Lucian had adored her the best.
She loved colorful, beautiful dresses. He’d spend all his allowance filling her entire room with them.
She loved durian. He would find ways to make her all sorts of durian-flavored desserts himself.
She said she was bored. He would take turns taking her on trips domestically and abroad.
She complained that hiking was tiring. He’d pick her up without hesitation.
Under Lucian’s protection, Sophia had lived an incredibly happy life for eighteen years.
Until one day, the police discovered a hospital nurse had switched babies years ago, and Sophia wasn’t the Thompsons’ bio-daughter.
Tragically, their real daughter had already died in an accident.
To compensate for their guilt towards their lost daughter, the family brought Lily home from the orphanage.
And everything changed after that.
"I watched Lily put the finishing touches on that painting myself."
"How can you expect me to believe you?"
"Sophia, our caring for Lily doesn’t mean we stop loving you. You shouldn’t have targeted Lily at every turn since she came to live with us."
Lucian frowned deeply. His expression was grave as he looked at Sophia.
"Fine. I understand what you all mean."
"Since you’ve decided the painting belongs to Lily, then so be it."
Sophia’s last flicker of hope was extinguished.
She offered a bitter smile and walked back to her room.
Lily’s victory celebration was held at home that night.
The air vibrated with loud music and joyful laughter of the entire Thompson family.
Sophia lay alone in her bed, clutching an old family photo.
She dialed her bio-brother, James Harrison.
His voice was filled with joyful anticipation the moment the call connected,
"Sophia, it’s almost been one year. When should we come for you?"
"Well, if you’re not ready to leave, we respect your will…"
James knew what Sophia had endured in the Thompsons over the past year.
He desperately wanted to take her away as soon as possible, but he would never pressure her.
"James, I’ve worked out the timing. Come for me in seven days."