The Family GameChapter 1
After finding my biological parents in the rural Appalachian Mountains, my longing for family ties made me cut off all relations with my wealthy adoptive parents.
When they kicked me out of the house, I had no money and had to ask my friend Jessica Carter to drive her sports car and take me to the mountains to meet my real parents.
All the way there, she kept trying to talk me out of it.
"You must be crazy—throwing away an inheritance worth hundreds of millions just to run off to the mountains and find your birth parents."
But I was unwavering.
"You don’t understand—money can’t buy the bond of blood."
The car stopped in front of a small brick-and-clay house, where seven people were gathered at the doorway.
It turned out I had two older sisters, two younger sisters, and a ten-year-old younger brother.
Looking at faces that resembled mine, I felt a warmth in my heart.
It made me even more certain—I hadn’t made the wrong choice.
…
Without saying another word, Jessica dropped me off, hit the gas, and sped away.
My parents and Jacob stared at the car until it disappeared before turning to face me.
Robert Parker walked over with a smile to help carry my luggage, while Margaret Parker took my hand and began to tear up.
"It’s all because of that damn human trafficker that we were torn apart."
My nose stung at her words.
She pulled me inside, and my sisters followed. Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed Jacob trying to open my suitcase, but Robert stopped him.
Margaret tugged me to the dinner table. I withdrew my gaze and looked at the food.
It wasn’t abundant, but it was clearly prepared with care.
"Don’t just stare—come, try some of your mother’s cooking. It may not be as good as what you ate in the city, but…"
Her voice began to choke with emotion.
I quickly put a piece of meat in my mouth and started praising the meal.
The atmosphere was warm, and I responded casually to Robert and Margaret’s questions.
But when they learned my adoptive parents were very wealthy, I saw their eyes light up.
I didn’t think much of it—because I noticed Sophie quietly eating plain white rice beside me.
The sleeve of her school uniform hung empty, and her wrist was so thin it hurt to look at.
"Sophie, you’re at the age when you need to grow. Eat more vegetables."
I placed a piece of pork belly in her bowl, but she nervously glanced at our parents.