Chapter 3

By nightfall, the shelter was brightly lit. People began to settle down on their cots, trying to get some sleep.

Yet, there was still no word from me.

Mrs. Gable couldn't take it anymore. "Eleanor... maybe you should call Hazel again? It's so late. What if she's stranded?"

Eleanor sighed in annoyance and pulled out her phone.

Every movement she made showed her frustration, as if I were nothing but an annoying chore.

"You guys just spoil Hazel too much. She’s definitely throwing a tantrum, hiding somewhere just to make me feel guilty," she muttered through gritted teeth, her eyes filled with resentment.

She dialed my number. But all she got was a long, endless ringing. No one picked up.

Her expression darkened instantly. "See? I told you! She's doing this on purpose. What an ungrateful brat.

She has zero consideration for me! Always talking back, always trying to steal Chloe's spotlight. She's practically an adult and still behaves so selfishly. She is completely ruined."

Mrs. Gable wanted to say something, but Eleanor had already lost her patience. She aggressively locked her phone and threw it into her bag, as if cutting off her very last connection to me.

"I am not playing her games! You think I'm going to call her again? No way! If she wants to play dead, she can go ahead and never call me again!"

Just then, Chloe gently tugged at her sleeve, looking terrified. "Mom, it's so dark here. I can't sleep."

In an instant, the rage on Eleanor's face vanished, replaced by a soft, loving smile.

She knelt down and whispered tenderly, "Don't worry, sweetie. Mommy is right here. I'll stay with you."

She stroked Chloe's hair, hummed a soft lullaby, acting as if there was nothing more important in the world than putting her younger daughter to sleep.

Meanwhile, her other daughter was left alone in the freezing storm, clinging to life.

My safety, my life, meant absolutely nothing to her.

Her eyes only saw Chloe. Her heart only held Chloe.

My existence was nothing more than an inconvenient burden.