The Distortion of Motherly Love
Chapter 1
The day I matched with my dad, who was
dying of leukemia, I ran.
Mom searched everywhere, but all she did
was say a heartbreaking goodbye to Dad.
After that, Mom threw herself into leukemia
research and became a huge success.
She even adopted a sweet, smart little girl.
The next time I saw her was at a leukemia
research conference Mom was hosting.
She looked at me lying on the demonstration
table and sneered.
く
“Riley, this isn’t the place for your games.”
“Get up and get out of here!”
The emcee standing next to her just stared,
mouth agape.
“Dr. Chen, do you know this… cadaver?”
Mom gave a sarcastic laugh.
“How much did she pay you all to play along
with this?”
The emcee looked lost.
“Dr. Chen, Riley passed away three days
ago…”
Mom frowned
<
“Last I checked, it was Tuesday, not April
Fool’s Day.”
“Riley’s makeup is impressive, I almost
believed it.”
She glanced at my face, a flash of panic in
her eyes.
She forced a stiff smile.
“So, is this prank supposed to be a surprise
or a scare?”
The emcee looked desperately at a reporter
in the audience for help.
The reporter came up on stage and took the
microphone.
<
“Dr. Chen, I’ll answer that question in a
moment.”
She turned to the audience.
“Hi everyone, I’m Taylor Reed, a journalist,
and one of the organizers of this event.”
“We’re going to play a message from our
donor.”
The screen behind her lit up.
In the video, I was sitting on a beach, looking
into the camera.
“Hi, I’m Riley, and I love sunshine, the sky,
and the ocean. See how beautiful the water
is? I always wanted to come here with my
mom and dad.”
“But that’s not going to happen. It’s okay,
though, I brought their pictures with me, so
it’s like they’re here.”
I carefully pulled a photo from my bag and
held it up.
“Oh, and my mom is an amazing woman,
and…”
Suddenly, I slumped backward.
The camera shook wildly, and someone
gasped.
“She’s fainting! Quick! Get her to a hospital!”
“I told her she shouldn’t be here! Why did you
let her come?”
く
The next moment, the screen showed my
face, pulling a silly face.
“Haha, tricked you!”
I laughed, and then my eyes filled with tears.
“Mom, I love you, so, so much.”
The video froze on my tear–streaked face.
Mom’s face was expressionless.
“Ms. Reed, this is a research conference, not
some daytime talk show.”
The room buzzed with murmurs.
“Isn’t that Dr. Chen’s daughter? I heard she
estab for bor ded
<
was a perfect match for her dad. All he
needed was a bone marrow transplant, and
he would have lived.”
“Ungrateful brat, wouldn’t even save her own
father.”
“What’s she doing here, pulling this stunt?”
“Trying to cash in on her mom’s fame,
probably.”
“Do you think that body on the table is really
her?”
“Serves her right, dying like that, refusing to
help her own father. Karma, I guess.”
I didn’t refuse to donate bone marrow to Dad.
I wasn’t able to.
く
If I could, I would’ve traded my life for his
health.
But I couldn’t even save myself.
Hearing the whispers, Mom’s face changed.
She reached out as if to touch me.
Taylor spoke, stopping her.
“Dr. Chen, please, let’s watch the
documentary first.”
“We’re hoping that by seeing Riley’s fight, we
can help everyone understand the world of a
leukemia patient.”
The screen flickered, and loud music blasted.
It was a crowded bar.
I was carrying a tray full of drinks, weaving
through the dancers.
Heavy makeup couldn’t hide my pale face.
Then, I threw a drink at the camera, looking
annoyed.
“Can you guys please leave me alone?”
“You’re Riley, right? Hi, I’m Taylor Reed. I’m a
journalist with a cancer support group, and I
want to make a documentary about leukemia
patients.”
“If you agree to let us film you, we’ll pay for
all your treatment.”
L
Her voice was warm and sincere.
I stared into the camera.
“Can you give me the money instead of
paying for the treatment?”
The camera was silent.
I shrugged and picked up my tray to continue
working.
I staggered out of the bar at 2 a.m.
Taylor came up to me again.
“Riley, do you need money for something
else? Maybe I can help you find a solution.”
Hooked up and my nose started bleeding
L
I looked up and my nose started bleeding.
A gasp came from behind the camera.
“Riley!”
[Filming Record: June 2nd, 2024]
“Riley, are you working this hard to pay for
your dad’s treatment?”